Whirring sound when depressing clutch....help
Discussion
Hi just in last two days this sound has just appeared. It sounds like a light fan whirring noise. It only happens when the clutch is depressed on all gears. Is this typical of something starting to wear that needs replacing. Its an Audi Avant 1.8 Manual 130,000 on the clock. Cheers all.
It's usually the thrust race in the clutch. If I'm right the component you need to replace costs about fifty pence, but you have to take the gearbox off the engine to do it. Usually it makes sense to do the clutch plates at the same time. Makes it a bit more expensive, but if the thrust race is going, the plates probably are too.
A worn/noisy thrust bearing is annoying but will probably soldier on for months depending on how much you use the clutch, i.e. town driving or motorway driving. As stated though best to replace sooner rather than later. NB. It would be a false economy not to replace the full clutch kit - thrust brng, pressure and friction plates.
kylie said:
Hi just in last two days this sound has just appeared. It sounds like a light fan whirring noise. It only happens when the clutch is depressed on all gears. Is this typical of something starting to wear that needs replacing. Its an Audi Avant 1.8 Manual 130,000 on the clock. Cheers all.
Kylie id personally get it done now,if it does let go the release bearing can break up and damage other component's.
An update, I took it in a few weeks back and they said its going to need a new flywheel!!! So while they are in there a new clutch kit going in as well. Seems a bit odd though that its the the flywheel on its way out. Its getting dropped off today to get the work done. I am looking at NZD 3,800.00 all up. 8 hours labour they quoted me on top of the parts. Bloody expensive. The husband has demanded to see the old parts kept for us to see. I got several quotes seemed around the same price. 
The upside is that I intend on keeping the car for a while, so I will get my money back out of it and they give me a brand new Audi A4 courtesy car to thrash about for two days
The upside is that I intend on keeping the car for a while, so I will get my money back out of it and they give me a brand new Audi A4 courtesy car to thrash about for two days
kylie said:
An update, I took it in a few weeks back and they said its going to need a new flywheel!!! So while they are in there a new clutch kit going in as well. Seems a bit odd though that its the the flywheel on its way out.
I see where you're coming from.. how does a big round disc go wrong?
Russell
pentoman said:
I see where you're coming from.. how does a big round disc go wrong?
Dunno about A4 specifically, but the flywheel usually incorporates half of the pressure surface that clamps onto the clutch disk. It can be warped trhough overheating, or the surface can be damaged if the clutch plate has worn down a long way. You'd probably notice these as a bit of judder or vibration on the clutch but it would have come on slowly.
Flywheels can also have gear teeth round the edge for the starter to engage, which can also be worn/damaged.
All worth replacing if you have sufficient funds and want the car to keep going for a long time. If not, ask your garage how much longer they think it will last as is.
AdrianR
I'd ask to see the flywheel and knowing that without having the 'box out is interesting. Sound like the release bearing. If you put it in neutral and can make it happen by depressing the clutch and can spin it up and down by using the throttle then release bearing it is. Happened on my S4 - the bearing was completely shot when they took it out. Put a new clutch in while they fixed it - makes no sense to do otherwise - Westec Performance in Newport did the work - almost half the price that Audi wanted. Exactly the same symptoms as you describe and strangely much more annoying than it sounds!
Seen all the parts, the release bearing was totally shot as you said and the everything else was worn right down. So assuming they have given me back the correct parts, its money well spent. Jezz hopefully theres no more set backs for a while!
The new clutch feels light, smooth and grabs at an instant. Least I can compare and now know what a worn clutch feels like
The new clutch feels light, smooth and grabs at an instant. Least I can compare and now know what a worn clutch feels like
Useful thread. Our kid's Coupe GT 1985 2.0 has done 103k. New clutch went in at 90K - but thrust bearing had been fitted by previous owner ( apparently at 83K, thinking the clutch had loads left in it) before Tim at QRS fitted the clutch kit for our kid after purchase.
Now, there is a screaming, cacophanous, loud fan-belt-slip wail, followed by sandpaper rubbing noise, whenever you dip the clutch, when in neutral and between gears. Once in gear, drives great, pulls fine and no noise.
Thrust and or release bearings? Most driving is done in town.
Confirm the thread or other tips please?
Cheers
Now, there is a screaming, cacophanous, loud fan-belt-slip wail, followed by sandpaper rubbing noise, whenever you dip the clutch, when in neutral and between gears. Once in gear, drives great, pulls fine and no noise.
Thrust and or release bearings? Most driving is done in town.
Confirm the thread or other tips please?
Cheers
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