RE: 4KCSQ clutch

[christopher_bender@fmc.com (CHRISTOPHER BENDER)]

     I have the same car with 100k miles.  A few years ago, it was making 
     that same squeaking noise on clutch engaging and disengaging.  It did 
     that for a long while, and then stopped.  Now it is doing fine.  At 
     the time, I had a suspicion that it was the throwout bearing rubbing 
     on the pressure plate springs.  I have absolutely no idea why it would 
     go away though.
     
     Due to the cost of this repair, I decided to just leave it alone, 
     until it got worse.  It's just odd that it got better.
     
     I would advise that you just leave it alone, and wait for it to get 
     worse.  Wait until the clutch slips, and then kinda nurse it home.  I 
     think the chances of being "stuck" as a result of this are rather low. 
      However, if it scares you, and since you have quite a bit more miles 
     than I do, maybe you should just do it now and be done with it.
     
     Just my thoughts....
     
     Chris
     
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     Date: 08 May 97 11:45:10 EDT
     From: Michael.D.Nelson@Dartmouth.Edu (Michael D. Nelson)
     Subject: 4KCSQ clutch
     
     Hi everyone...I'm concerned that the clutch on my '86 4KCSQ may be 
     dying.  My
     mechanic has checked it twice and says it's ok, but I'm still 
     concerned for the
     following reasons:  (1) it doesn't engage until pedal is around 2 in. 
     from the
     end of its travel, (2) clutch effort is rather high, and (3) there is 
     a
     squeaking noise during clutch engagement/disengagement.  
     
     Should I just go ahead and replace it now or wait and see what 
     happens?  My
     mechanic said it would cost around $700 (ouch), but I really don't 
     want to be
     marooned in rural Vermont (ok, so it's all rural!) with a smoked 
     clutch.
     
     TIA for your opinions...
     
     Mike Nelson
     '86 4KCSQ, 175K