New Whirling Sound after Clutch Job!?

[94_explorer]

Well, I've finished my clutch job. Got everything back together and after some work I was able to successfully bleed the entire system.

However, when I go to start it, I now get this high pitched whirling sound coming from the tranny/bell housing area. The sound increases with engine RPMs. However, the sound doesn't change much at all when in gear or out of gear - and it doesn't change much when the clutch is in or out.

Here are my theories so far. It's obvious that it's a friction thing of some sort.
1. It could be the pilot bearing (brand new - doubt it would be that loud)
2. It could be the throwout bearing and the pressure plate. (If that's the case, then I'm sure the new slave will fry shortly)
3. The front of the tranny itself (the shaft was a bit sloppy, although it never made a noise quite like that)
4. The starter. Maybe it's rubbing or something?

I inspected the slave through the window and I didn't see anything too obvious in there. I drove it around a short loop, and although it was loud and high-pitched, it drove fine and the clutch worked fine. I don't think it could be the clutch plate or flywheel, because they are pretty mutch mated together and I didnt' feel any slippage. Plus, the sound is too consistant.

Does anyone have any ideas or experience with something like this?

 

[gijoecam]

Here are my theories so far. It's obvious that it's a friction thing of some sort.
1. It could be the pilot bearing (brand new - doubt it would be that loud)
2. It could be the throwout bearing and the pressure plate. (If that's the case, then I'm sure the new slave will fry shortly)
3. The front of the tranny itself (the shaft was a bit sloppy, although it never made a noise quite like that)
4. The starter. Maybe it's rubbing or something?

All good ideas, but I think we can narrow it down by process of elimination:

1) The pilot bearing does not turn when the clutch is engaged. Take your foot off the clutch pedal and the input shaft and flywheel lock together, turning at the same speed. Therefore, the pilot bearing is NOT turning.

3) Doubt it.... when you disengage the clutch and put it in gear, the flywheel turns, but the input shaft is stationary. If it was something in the tranny, it would stop since all the gears are stationary at that point.


So, that leaves 2 or 4.

2) Certainly a possibility, however, generally, if the throwout bearing is bad it squeaks with the clutch engaged or the clutch disengaged. Generally not both. If it DOES squeal with both, it changes pitch when you disengage the clutch.

So, that leaves us with #4. Possible? Sure. Simple enough to check: Yank the starter, push-start the truck, and see if the squeal disappears. (I know, I know.... easier said than done LOL!) At any rate, yank the starter, and see if the bendix is retracting when you start it. It'll chew up the flywheel and pinion in no time if it's stuck out.

I suspect an engine-related problem of some sort there....

 

[94_explorer]

Wow, all good thoughts. Thanks for your reply.

1. It squeals with the clutch in or out, but there may be an ever so slight shift in the sound (very very minor) when I push the pedal in. UPDATE: The sound doesn't change a bit when the clutch is engaged or not.

2. I'm going to pull the starter and have a look. Do you think I should turn over the starter while it's off to what it's behavior? (I wouldn't know exactly what to look for)

3. I can't imagine that it's the engine. It was perfectly quiet right before I finished this job. The sound is definitely coming from the bellhousing area.

I'm going to try and remove the starter today if I have time. I'll report back.

Update. I discovered that this thin little metal plate, it goes up top inbetween the tranny and the engine (it holds the wires that connect to the sensors on the y-pipe), seems to be slightly out of place. I have a theory that if some of that metal plate is somehow rubbing up against the flywheel - well, it would act like a grinder. This is just a theory, but I think this might be the culprit of the sound. The only problem is that it's a pain in the arse to get to. I would have to loosen the tranny to pull it out, and that would probably mean pulling the exhaust all over again. Grrr. I almost want to leave the sound and see if it will diminish after time.

 

[94_explorer]

Final update! It's fixed. Yes! It turned out to be the thin metal plate that I mentioned in my previous post. I unbolted the tranny just enough to wiggle the plate up and out as much as possible (away from the flywheel). Now it runs nice and quiet and the new clutch is working great so far.

If anyone ever has a sound problem like this after a clutch job, maybe this will help out...

 

[IZwack]

the flex plate?

 

[gijoecam]

No, I think that was te ID tag for the trans, maybe? If it was thin and metal, it *probably* would have worn down in a couple of weeks. Glad you got her fixed though!

-Joe

 

[94_explorer]

The flex plate is behind the flywheel, right? No, it wasn't that. It is this thin piece of metal that is about 5 or 6 inches wide and maybe 3 inches high. It has two holes in it that the top tranny to engine bolts are supposed to go through. It is also supposed to hold the wires for the sensors in the y-pipe. This plate slipped out of position and it was rubbing on the flywheel. It made an aweful sound (loud, high-pitched, grinding). Just pulling it away from the flywheel fixed it. It was a bit more work, but well worth it!

Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope that my new slave holds out. My first replacement died in two days. So far, this one just 'feels' better.