'91 Legacy wagon grinding

[Bubs360]

I went to look at a '91 Legacy wagon recently, but was turned off by a strange grinding noise. Here's the symptom.

 

Whenever the clutch is engaged. From a standing stop, it makes a grinding noise that increases in pitch as the engine speed climbs. When you go to shift, it stops. Any type of engine breaking causes this as well. It's a rust free car in good condition otherwise, but I'm worried that this is a transmission/differential issue. He claims he's driven it like this forever but I need to know the problem before I buy. Anybody able to tell?

[bratman18]

Sounds like the pilot bearing or the throw out bearing. Probably the throw out bearing.

[Bubs360]

Sounds like the pilot bearing or the throw out bearing. Probably the throw out bearing.

 

How tough of a fix is this? I haven't dealt with clutches yet.

[bratman18]

How tough of a fix is this? I haven't dealt with clutches yet.

 

You would have to either pull the motor or the tranny, whatever is easiest for you, and then replace the bearing. and inspect the clutch, because if it's bad at all you might as well replace it while you're in there. That sounds like the problem to me. My Brat used to do it before I changed it out and I've had other cars do it as well. Pretty cheap fix just a little involved.

[Bubs360]

You would have to either pull the motor or the tranny, whatever is easiest for you, and then replace the bearing. and inspect the clutch, because if it's bad at all you might as well replace it while you're in there. That sounds like the problem to me. My Brat used to do it before I changed it out and I've had other cars do it as well. Pretty cheap fix just a little involved.

 

Well, the guy won't take less than $1200 for it which doesn't make it worth that on my part. I guess I'll pass. Thanks for the info.