96 legacy L Clutch "cricket" noise

[attym]

When I'm driving, my car sounds like a cricket at night in the woods. Its pretty loud. If i apply even the slightest touch to the clutch pedal, it goes away.

 

Could this have anything to do with the cold clutch bucking?

[idosubaru]

i'm not a manual trans expert but pretty sure that's either going to be the throw out bearing or pilot bearing. either one requires pulling the trans or engine to get to the clutch assembly. hopefully it's something else, but if not i'd start thinking about doing a complete clutch job - new throw out bearing, pilot bearing and clutch. if the clutch has been done recently they may have reused the original bearing...that's a no-no in my book.

[attym]

The old owner said it might need a clutch. I can live with the noise if I can get some life out of this clutch. Besides the bucking starts when cold, the clutch seems fine.

[brus brother]

Sounds like throw out bearing. When in 4th or 5th gear and you floor it, does the clutch slip at all? That was how mine behaved before the clutch finally gave up the ghost.

[attym]

Well, I knew going in that a clutch would be a possibilty. Now, to figure out how long I have. I'm not going to tackle the clutch by myself (I know my limits) I have a familty friend mechanic who I think will do it for $400. I'll just have to make sure they know i want the "kit" not just the clutch. It shifts fairly well for what I'm assuming is a clutch with 129,000 on it.

[Sydfloyd44]

95 Legacy L wagon, Manual

Had my clutch replaced about 2 years ago at the Stealership. Had the usual bucking and chirping. Took it back and of course the bucking is "normal" and the chirping, "WHAT CHIRPING"!! Has been going on for 2 years, bucking has stopped. Chirping heard outside of vehicle and a cricket is inside with me now. Same thing. Step on the clutch a little and it sound like I squashed them both at the same time.

My hard learned lesson. DO NOT GO TO THE DEALERSHIP!!!!!!! As this was going on, someone on the board here told me that this problem is common and what the dealer did/did not do is the way Subaru recommends. Stick with a local, trusted mechanic who is familiar with Subes. Talk it thru with them BEFORE they start working on your vehicle to make sure these problems do not exist afterwards.

[attym]

I have no intentions of going to a dealer if for nothing else, juist don't have the cash to pay for that. If I just touch the clutch pedal, it stops. So little that it makes me wonder if its not just an adjustment.

[Subie Gal]

I will promise you, it's the throw out bearing.

and if you dont fix it? it's going to cost...

 

basically, when a throwout bearing has gone bad,

it is no longer riding flush - it's now wiggling a bit (cricket noise)

 

and over time, this will wear down on the "snout"

and likely create an irregular, rough surface

bingo... damage is done....

at this point, even if you DO replace the throwout bearing

it is still going to wiggle, and repeat the previous symptoms.

 

there's a sleeve kit from subaru that can be used to fix it

if the damage is too fargone

 

the only other alternative...?? a new tranny case

 

 

so change that throw out bearing before it's too late

 

Jamie