Metallic noise when clutching?

[DK]

I am trying to understand how serious/expensive the problem
might be:

Few months ago, the car started to make weird noise when
I use clutch. At higher engine RPM (around 3,000), when I depress
the clutch, at the very end of it a loud sound can be heard (with,
perhaps, a *very* short delay). It's hard to describe it, clacking/tinkling
maybe - as if two metallic parts slam into each other with some
friction involved.

The sound can be heard *before* the use of the shifter. When
the RPM is low, however, depressing the clutch does not make
this noise. Apart from the noise, shifting/driving is completely
normal.

The car is Subaru Impreza 1993 with 91,000 miles on it and a
clutch replaced by a dealer at 65Kmi. Other than the clutch and
a totally rusted fender, the car has been problem-free. I am
thinking about keeping it for few more years - but not if the
repairs run more than the car is worth (probably not much more
than $1,000?).

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I am trying to understand how serious/expensive the problem
might be:

Few months ago, the car started to make weird noise when
I use clutch. At higher engine RPM (around 3,000), when I depress
the clutch, at the very end of it a loud sound can be heard (with,
perhaps, a *very* short delay). It's hard to describe it, clacking/tinkling
maybe - as if two metallic parts slam into each other with some
friction involved.

The sound can be heard *before* the use of the shifter. When
the RPM is low, however, depressing the clutch does not make
this noise. Apart from the noise, shifting/driving is completely
normal.

The car is Subaru Impreza 1993 with 91,000 miles on it and a
clutch replaced by a dealer at 65Kmi. Other than the clutch and
a totally rusted fender, the car has been problem-free. I am
thinking about keeping it for few more years - but not if the
repairs run more than the car is worth (probably not much more
than $1,000?).

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.

I forget the exact way to diagnose them, but input shaft bearings and
clutch release bearings (throwout bearings) are common MT failure items.
maybe having a good mechanic take a test drive would be useful? If you
post your city here, or at www.usmb.net someone may be able to point you
to a soob-knowledgable shop.

Carl

 

[DK]

I forget the exact way to diagnose them, but input shaft bearings and
clutch release bearings (throwout bearings) are common MT failure items.
maybe having a good mechanic take a test drive would be useful? If you
post your city here, or at www.usmb.net someone may be able to point you
to a soob-knowledgable shop.

This is Madison, WI. The web site you listed is down. How was
it called?

DK

 

[AS]

Throw bearing, imo.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

This is Madison, WI. The web site you listed is down. How was
it called?

DK

try; http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/

Carl

 

[DK]

I forget the exact way to diagnose them, but input shaft bearings and
clutch release bearings (throwout bearings) are common MT failure items.
maybe having a good mechanic take a test drive would be useful? If you
post your city here, or at www.usmb.net someone may be able to point you
to a soob-knowledgable shop.

I went to a "soob-knowledgable shop" and they fixed the problem quickly
and cheaply. Turned out, it was a cracked heat shield (one of them anyway).
They welded it and all the noises disappeared right away.

I still find it unusual that it vibrated in response to clutching under
specific conditions but live and learn, I guess.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I went to a "soob-knowledgable shop" and they fixed the problem quickly
and cheaply. Turned out, it was a cracked heat shield (one of them anyway).
They welded it and all the noises disappeared right away.

I still find it unusual that it vibrated in response to clutching under
specific conditions but live and learn, I guess.

Thanx for posting back! Glad I was wrong. I have read about heat shields
being a problem on some years of soobs, usually reported as a buzzing at
a specific speed.

Carl

 

[B A R R Y]

I have read about heat shields
being a problem on some years of soobs, usually reported as a buzzing at
a specific speed.

This is common on MANY vehicles. It's also a problem that's hard to
describe on the 'net, but anyone who calls themselves an professional
mechanic should identify in seconds when they hear it in person.

My '01 OBW had a slight buzz when I sold it, my '99 Wrangler has one now
~1800 RPM, and almost every vehicle I've ever owned had it at ont time
or another.