Re: Clutch Sounds in 4KQ

[Wallace White <wallace@remdesign.com>]

Thomas -

That sounds like the sound of a clutch (or a throw-out bearing, more
precisely) on its way out, I'm sorry to say. After making the one really
bad sound, my car continued to make a loose, "rattling change" sound
when the pedal was depressed. Shortly thereafter the clutch would not
disengage at all. It seems that others had more time until the clutch
locked up. At least they don't seem to fail in the disengaged position.

Heavy clutch effort is a well-known symptom of a dying clutch, BTW. I
didn't realize mine was heavy at the time, but it was clear once I got a
new clutch. Also, the heavy clutch effort tends to weaken other
components. '86 4kq's have hydraulic clutches, right? You might do well
to replace the master, slave, and hose while the clutch is being done.
On my car, it was the clutch pedal that broke about a week after the
clutch was replaced. I don't think anyone's had that happen on a 4k,
though you may have a cracked firewall to worry about, IIRC.

Just be glad you're not in the middle of a cross-country trip--like I
was! I was lucky to have the list to get me through it.

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 152k

Thomas Alexander wrote:
> 
> Just returned from a 1000 mile trek in my '86 4KQ.  When I pulled into
> the garage,  I heard an awful metal grinding sound when I pressed down on
> the clutch.  The car still runs fine.  As well, the sound is not present
> when the car is sitting still idling in neutral.  The car has about 140,000
> miles and has its original clutch.
> 
> Please advise whether this is being caused by the clutch or a part within
> the clutch.  If you know of rough estimates of prices, that would be
> great too.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Thomas Alexander