SLIGHT CLUTCH THRUST BEARING NOISE

Its "one of those things". It can either last forever or go 10 miles down the road.

If the thrust bearing is noisy it is worn or damaged and may soon need replacing. Unfortunately this involves the same amount of work as replacing the whole clutch.

Phone a couple of clutch fitters and find out how much more to factor into the cost of the car.

Clutch thrust bearings usually last the life of the clutch, unless the driver rides the clutch habitually or holds it down when idling.

All cases are signs the clutch is in its declining period, either because the maintenance was poor (bearing not changed when the clutch was last done), the clutch has been misused in at least one way (as described) or the clutch and bearing are getting mighty old. Think of it as needing a clutch and you will be on track.

That said, noisy clutch thrust bearings can go a very long time without failure.

Mike

The message from Stewart Hargrave contains these words:

And if you do - then replace the whole clutch at the same time. The cost of the bits is trivial compared to the cost of the labour.

I can't see any mention of the make/model of car, wouldn't that make an enormous difference to the viability of a clutch replacement?

Volvo 440 M reg Jan 96, with 85,000 miles on a 1.8 engine - Renault engine in those methinks. Have been told that 440 clutch repairs are expensive because of access problems.

Volvo 440 M reg Jan 96, with 85,000 miles on a 1.8 engine - Renault engine in those methinks. Have been told that 440 clutch repairs are expensive because of access problems.

How much is it? I'd guess no more than £500? For that little money, if you like the car, gamble, as people have said, it might last forever and a clutch replacement is likely to be close to the cost of the car.