quite an epic gearbox/clutch problem!!!!

[one_and_only2004]

HELP!
I've just got to tafe in Tamworth NSW from home (tenterfield) and my clutch has started making this really crazy moaning screaming noise when you load up the clutch when you're taking off from lights or even just reversing out of a park!

Gearbox still selects gears fine including reverse.
Clutch isn't slipping at all.

I can actually make it moan when i load it up in most gears - it doesn't do it everytime though.
Diagnosis via the phone from my mechanic says it's the spiggot (?) bearing in the clutch, but i only had that replaced about 10 months ago
Can i make it 400km home?

[naf33n]

a guy that i went to tafe with had a stuffed bearing for about 12 months, only changed it when his clutch finally started slipping.


so goin off that you will make it home easy

[VNexecutive]

if the spiggot bearing is the same as a thrust bearing, then you'll be able to drive it normally. as far as i know there is no difference mecahnically when it goes, just an awful sound.

[maginoodle]

if the spiggot bearing is the same as a thrust bearing, then you'll be able to drive it normally. as far as i know there is no difference mecahnically when it goes, just an awful sound.

spigot and thrust bearing are different. spigot bearing is the bearing in the end of the crank that the front input shaft goes into. the thrust bearing engaes(disengages) the pressure plate.

to the op, i would get someone at tamworth to diagnose the noise. if its thrust bearing it would be ok to drive home. if its spigot bearing you risk doing a bearing in your gbox. if you drive sensibly you should be ok to drive it.

[Calaber]

Spiggot bearings seldom wear, and only after huge distances. I've never hear one make a noise - usually, if the spiggot bearing is worn, the input shaft will move around through lack of front end support and this would damage the front bearing in the box. Its more likely the noise is the thrust bearing.

[Reaper]

I'm with Calaber. I reckon it's probably the throwout bearing which fail far more often. Made a hell of a racket. if it isn't squealing when you are driving along (not pushing the clutch in) I'd drive it home and try to avoid using the clutch (just crash change it gently). If it's squealing all the time then I'd stop as you will probably chew out the fingers of the clutch and be in all sorts of bother.

Reaper

[Morton]

Yeah, I'm going with throwout bearing, too. It should be fine 'till you can get it changed.

[Swordsy]

+1
throwout bearing, you should be able to get it home as long as its not screaming when the driving along

[one_and_only2004]

Ok lads, the good news is i made it home problem free - this is going to sound wierd.
2 hours after i originally posted the front struts and power steering started creaking for no particular reason. This continued with the clutch screaching till about 4.00pm yesterday - then it all just stopped..
Clutch stopped screaming/moaning.
Powersteering stopped making a wierd noise.
Struts stopped making wierd creaking noise.
Somehow the car must have used the force, became self aware that things had gone bad, and rectified itself. A student who owns a hyundai said that his car used to do it everytime he came to tamworth - something to do with the hydraulic clutch and a change in altitude apparently...
Thanks everyone for your input!