I just bought my 96 Camaro RS and it seemed fine, but now there's a weird grinding noise when I have the the clutch in. I know some things about the clutch but not sure what to get. Anybody know?

Thanks,

 

Or what are the "symtoms" of a throwout bearing or slave cylinder?

 

In most cars, a grinding sound when depressing the clutch means the throw out bearing is shot. Usually it has a high pitch squeal first.

There are always possibilities of the clutch having other problems, but throw out bearing is the most common. If you can't depress enough to release, then sometimes the damper springs dislodge from the clutch disk and get stuck in the pressure plate. That will create a grinding noise but also won't let you shift into gear when sitting.

You could have a bad pilot bushing and the throw out bearing is putting thrust into it and making the grinding. While the transmission is out and you have it apart, check the pilot bushing/bearing.

 

when a throwout bearing is starting to go it will make a noise when the clutch is not pushed on at all. not always but most times for me. then it will start making a noise when you depress the clutch. it will somtimes get louder before failing and somtimes wont, itll just go. if the cylinder slave or master goes you will usually find it hard to put the car in gear, or cant at all. may also have grinding at shifts like the clutch is not pushed down all the way.

 

Is the grinding when you step on the clutch or when you have the clutch down and try to shift?

 

When I have the clutch in it'll make the noise whether i'm trying to shift or not. I also have a small clutch fluid leak somewhere and it only comes out while i'm driving it.

 

Sounds like you need both. on your car they are both the same job anyway. The cylinder is the pricey part. The bearing should not be to bad. If I remember right most of the time they come together anyway. SInce its a fair amount of work I think most people replace them both anyway.

 

Yeah, Thanks for the help. I ended up dropping the transmission and replacing the bearing and the master cylinder. A lot of work, but well worth it. Thanks a lot,

 

I have the same issue. In reading several threads not sure which one. My symptoms on my 99 v6 5sp camaro is that; 1st shifting into reverse is becoming an issue, 2nd hard to shift into second sometimes. If I pump the clutch a second time, it will shift then. 3rd rough ideling(sp). Lastly, press the cluch into 1st, car will take off. However, in reading other articles, a bad cylinder will be leaking fluid. Your thoughts?