Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

So my wife started hearing a very light chirping noise and we figured out that it happened when I pushed in the clutch. I immediately thought it was the throw out bearing and decided to keep running it until this winter. Well the noise got worse so I pulled the truck apart tonight. I'm running a T5 with a 10" diaphragm clutch. I appears to me that the throw out bearing is fine and that it is the diaphragm pressure plate that is squeaking and sticking. The springs look rusty and the fingers have a little rust on them too. When I push the clutch in it sounds like a rusty hinge. The pressure plate is just 3 years old this month and has few miles on it. What do I do? Replace it or clean it up and lube the springs and fingers? Anybody had this issue before?

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

It may be completely unrelated, but I think I should mention it. The engine in my '51 Ford started making a funny noise when I pushed in the clutch. I could not track down the source, and couldn't figure out what it was. It got progressively worse, so I decided to remove the engine and replace it with a '51 Merc I had ready to go. Of course, the oil pans on the engines had to be replaced, since the Merc pan won't fit in the Ford chassis. I removed both pans and cleaned and painted them prior to swapping them. When cleaning the Ford pan, I found what was about a 1" piece of the thrust surface of the rear main laying in the bottom of the pan. My machinist says it was either a defective bearing or a gross assembly error.

Probably not your problem, but I thought I'd mention it.

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

Could it be the steel used is more vendible to rust?


My only suggestion is to replace the throwout before resemble. Just procedure.





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Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

Planned on doing that but its a custom job that I machined so it will take a little more work. It uses the stock Ford carrier and the smaller throwout bearing that the diaphragm PP needs.

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

Is the rust like a brownish-orange powder? That's usually a sign of "fretting"; two parts that are rubbing together, perhaps due to misalignment. Surface rust from moisture is usually dark brown blotches. I would think cleaning and lubing is a short term fix.

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

You have the correct release brg?

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

Since I don't want to make pulling the tranny a full time job I just ordered a new Centerforce diaphragm PP and disc. They are actually sold to fit the early Fords and use the stock throwout bearing setup. I'll report on how they work.

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

where from
Lawrie

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

I ordered mine from Jegs (diaphragm PP, duel friction disc and flywheel).
Used the stock 49 throwout bearing on a '65 Mustang t-10. Smooth and easy on old knees.
Same clutch I have in my big block 69 Camaro. Great piece.

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

Thanks
Lawrie

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

I ordered mine from Jegs also but they are drop shipped direct from Centerforce. The PP part number is CF365222. Sold as a direct replacement for a stock 10" clutch. I'm lucky in that my PP is drilled for 9", 10" as well as 11".

Re: Diaphragm clutch noise?
 

I think Centerforce recognizes the need for replacement parts. I was going to have the original flywheel turned and rebalanced but the cost locally was within a few dollars of brand new.
Same with rebuilding my old PP and disc by the time you add in shipping.
I ordered mine thru Jegs as a kit because of the discounts and it was drop shipped like most parts these days.
Centerforce offers just about any spline combination on that particular disc (duel friction).
I bought Centerforce because of reliability. I've had the very same church behind a big block Camaro to has seen a lot of hard use over the last 20 year. No issues whatsoever even when I bolt on the slicks.