strange noise **PICS ADDED

[OLDGIT ST]

hey all, been away a while but still loving the westy.....

I have recently noticed something and wondered if anyone nos what this maybe....

clutch and bearing relatively new...

1) clutch fully unloaded (up) noise that sounds like a rumbling/rattle

2) clutch depressed - silent

3) clutch lifted and driving along noise as per 1

4) at idle clutch fully up = noise / DEPRESS clutch to take up free play (approx 1 inch pedal travel) noise disappears

IF clutch release bearing surely being fully disengaged it would be silent and engaging would make the noise ??

ANY HELP FELLAS... was supposed to be used for a wedding this weekend but don't want to use it if its gona do more damage or break down ....

ta
OG

 

[user 20733]

Sounds like release bearing on way out. If you are going to change it, then I would change the clutch as well just to make sure (if you don't know how old it is).

 

[OLDGIT ST]

Cheers for that,

I replaced clutch and bearing etc etc couple years ago BUT done a very small amount of mileage (couple of thousand miles if that)....
just don't understand why it only makes the noise fully disengaged ? surely its not actually doing anything at that point ?

Is it likely to just go caput or would you still drive it... ie what happens next IF it is the bearing... :lol: :shock:

cheers
og

 

[Moseley]

Not sure if it is the same on these buses, but a rumbling with clutch disengaged would point to the input shaft bearing on the gearbox. With clutch disengaged, the release bearing isn't spinning so shouldn't make any noise. Similarly with clutch engaged, this put pressure on the input shaft and a worn bearing will rumble.

Could be barking up the wrong tree though! :lol:

 

[Trikky2]

Another possible cause is if one of the retaining springs that holds the release bearing to the fork has let go.

 

[our bus 68]

I had the same noise a few years back. In the end the clutch went bang. The release bearing shattered, smashing the clutch pressure plate springs and finally snapping the release bearing arm!!! :shock:

Certainly worth checking it before it's too late.

 

[ozziedog]

Another possible cause is if one of the retaining springs that holds the release bearing to the fork has let go.

I`m going with Trikky 2 on this one,, only because I had severe issues getting mine to go on nicely,,,, then my mate made it look like a piece of cake :roll: :roll: :roll:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, First thing I thought of actually :roll: :shock: :roll:

 

[vwcanuck]

Another possible cause is if one of the retaining springs that holds the release bearing to the fork has let go.

I agree 100% with Trikky. Sort it out now at little cost before you need to replace the bearing and clutch at mucho cost.

 

[OLDGIT ST]

Cheers fella's

Think its a given that the engine pull is on the cards to have it checked.....
Still not quite sure why the noise is apparent only when clutch is fully released .... even with the retaining spring not holding the bearing, surely it wouldn't be moving and therefore it wouldnt make a noise ???

cheers
og

 

[gas1man]

Mine is making a high pitched whine when fully out. Just the weight of my jumper is enough to stop it.
I know it is going to need replacing this winter.

J & P

 

[OLDGIT ST]

ok,

so I have also been told it maybe the first motion shaft bearing.....

quick question, I have no clue where the first motion shaft is lol ... is it a send off for recon job ?? will the box go caput if I use it like this ??
Its not a high pitched or whining noise, more like a constant middle pitch drone.... probably makes no sense that noise description lol
It does seem to quiten down quite a bit after 20 mins of driving too ????

just I can live with it but don't want to explode my gearbox....

any advice fellas mucho appreciated

cheers
og

 

[Trikky2]

First motion is the input shaft Mosely mentioned in his post.
If its bearing is noisy its an easy job to replace.

 

[OLDGIT ST]

cool thanks tricky... if I don't change it will it do a lot of damage or is it something not to drive with....

im rearly trying to get out of pulling the engine lol

cheers
og

 

[Moseley]

cool thanks tricky... if I don't change it will it do a lot of damage or is it something not to drive with....

im rearly trying to get out of pulling the engine lol

cheers
og

It will only get worse unfortunately. It may go on for years and years, but given the strain that these buses are put under, I'd personally be giving it a refresh before putting a lot of miles more on it.

They get quieter as the bearings and oil warm up - this is helping to lubricate and remove the slack that is causing the louder noise when cold.

 

[bluenose]

hi,

I can't tell you exactly what this is but I had this exact same problem.

was driving fine then suddenly developed a rattling noise, I could even here it in neutral, would completely disappear if I rested my foot foot on the clutch to take out the freeplay.

Within a few miles my clutch started slipping like a bitch and only just made it home.

I opened it up and there was no sign on the clutch of what the rattle was, release bearing etc was all intact and in fine condition.

I put a new clutch and different gearbox back in the bus which is why I can't tell you what the issue was but I'm sure it was the box.

I know the input shaft was loose as it pulled out with the engine. I think this contributed to the clutch failure as there was transmission oil in the bell housing, I suspect it came through as the input shaft was probably sliding about when I changed gear.

 

[Trikky2]

cool thanks tricky... if I don't change it will it do a lot of damage or is it something not to drive with....

im rearly trying to get out of pulling the engine lol

cheers
og

I'm sorry, I don't know. When a bearing gets noisy its an unknown. Sometimes they will go on making noise and still work for some time yet on another occasion they will fail fairly quickly.

Wish I could give you a more helpful answer but there isn't one

On the other hand, at least its not a hard or expensive fix

 

[OLDGIT ST]

Cheers fellas for all the advice

better do the job properly.... suppose better now than when its too late.......

gota remember how to pull the engine now lol....

og

 

[OLDGIT ST]

hey all,

engines out :roll: now for diagnostics

im trying to sort out imageshack to upload photos.... but in the meantime.

Everything seemed ok (ie clutch release bearing springs in situ ok) but for there seemed to be a little bit of debrs
around the bearing that im scratching my head about.

theres a pieces of what looks like red thin cardboard, one pieces about 10mm big.... where on earth would this come from....theres also a bit of blackish grease around some parts of the
bearing housing....

is there a way of testing the bearing...seems to spin freely but the is a little bit of wobble.... there isn't any leakage from the gearbox into the housing so would you think that
seal/bearing for the input shaft is ok ???

any ideas....
cheers
og

 

[Trikky2]

It's normal for the input shaft to have a little bit of free play. On the other hand it should spin quietly - no rumble that you can hear or feel when you spin it.

The clutch release bearing should also be quiet and smooth when you spin it.

What kind of clutch pressure plate do you have? Is it a diaphragm or a spring type?

 

[Myvanway]

Sounds like release bearing on way out. If you are going to change it, then I would change the clutch as well just to make sure (if you don't know how old it is).

Yarp,

Exactly what my issue was and symptoms are the same too!
Mine just fell apart on removal, which was nice!? :roll:

Here you go... http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39020&start=1080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;