Creaky Clutch Pedal

[BoyScout]

Hi all!

Last night, I was driving down the M3 and snagged a bit of traffic. As I was using biting point and gas to move forward, I kept hearing my clutch creak as the pedal was lifted slowly. This has happened previously but only if I listen out for it.

I can feel the creak as well as I release the clutch pedal, and its an odd feeling. Is this a sign of some sort? Anyone have any clues or would it be a matter of using my good friend WD-40 to spray a bit underneath??

[BoyScout]

C'mon peeps, there's gotta be someone who can part with some of their knowledge and wisdom??

[daz4805]

Hi,

I think I have the same problem as you. I have a 2007 mini cooper s and mine has done something similar since I bought it back in march.

The weird thing is it doesn't happen all the time and every time I take it somewhere for someone to look at it, it never presents itself.

The issue I have is when moving off from a stop in first gear, as you lift the pedal, there is a shreek groan type noise as the clutch is under strain.

I have also noticed it when coming up to a roundabout. Approach in 4th at about 40mph, slow a little, put it in to second and on releasing the pedal, as the revs kick up it makes the same noise.

As I said I've taken it to a dew places and someone finally heard it this evening, they said it could be clutch (release bearing etc), flywheel, or gearbox.

Quoted £1200 for new clutch and flywheel, they said they couldn't quote at time on gearbox if its that. I'd be surprised if it is to be honest.

The only vibration I have is through the clutch pedal when it makes the noise, other than that I have some flywheel chatter every now and again.

Does this sound familiar to your problems?

Darren

[stead34]

Sounds like a thrust bearing to me but just make sure its not the exhaust as this has alot of movement when the clutch is being depressed when the vehicle is moving and the engine is under load. If it is a thrust bearing you should get it when the car is in neutral and the engine isnt under load(stationary) as it will go through the same motion.

boyscout is the noise in the car,the clutch pedal itself or in the engine bay. if its just the pedal then the grease they use for motor bike chains is better as this wont just run straight off,just spray it in the pivot pin and spring area.

[dsakko]

The early (pre-2004) Cooper S clutches suffered from this kinda noise. Not sure if there's a link to it somewhere. They reckon it doesn't affect the mechnicals but it's just a bit disconcerting. Later redesigns of the clutch / flywheel solved it.

But yeah as stead34 points out you'd have to pinpoint the source of the noise (eg is it the pedal or by the front passenger side of the engine bay?)

[daz4805]

Hi stead34,

I dont know a great deal about car mechanics I am afraid. Where is the thrust bearing? Is that Clutch, Flywheel or Gearbox?

As far as I am aware, I dont have any issue when i am stopped, the only time i get the noise is when starting off or downshifting using the clutch pedal. It sounds like its coming from right below the centre console. As far as I am aware, I cant feel anything through the gear stick when this happens.

The flywheel chatter i mentioned is a fairly fast knocking noise that goes away as soon as the clutch pedal is pressed. It's not there all the time, just every now and again. I assume its the flywheel as thats what I have been told but i'm not 100%.

Darren

[stead34]

The thrust bearing is what operates the movement of the clutch, when you you depress the clutch is pushed or pulled(depending on clutch design) via the thrust bearing. The thrust bearing has a bearing incorporated to deal with the rotation of the engine which can become noisey(its part of a clutch kit)but this device isn't load sensitive so you should be able to reproduce the fault in neutral just by operating the clutch.

If fitted with a dual mass fly wheel this is sensitive to the torque(load)of the engine which could cause it, and the exhaust joint from manifold to downpipe can cause squeaks as it moves when the engine tilts back and forth under load. And the exhaust it directly under the centre console so you may have Pin pointed the location

Can you hear the noise at start up or shutdown of the engine whilst stationary as this can shake the engine or even try rocking the engine whilst the vehicle isn't running to reproduce the noise

Sorry Im a bit vague to what setup the mini Cooper s has, I used to be a master tech for Peugeot and have just bought a mini clubman diesel as it uses a Peugeot engine so if someone else could give a description it would help

[dsakko]

From my understanding:
- the Cooper S has a dual mass flywheel and a press-operated release bearing.
This means that if you are stationary, have the car in neutral and hold the clutch pedal to the floor and its noisy as hell then the release bearing is the issue. They get replaced as part of the clutch assembly.

Otherwise if it's a squeak / groan / squeal when taking off in first gear it's a common fault of the early clutches:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ing-point.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ling-away.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ng-away-2.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...h-problem.html
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...my-clutch.html

Solution is to replace the clutch. It's the only way to fix it.

[daz4805]

dsakko, stead34,

Many thanks for the info. If it was a problem on the 1st gen, i'd of thought they'd have sorted it for the 2nd gen version like mine is?

I have not been able to reproduce the problem with engine on or off at standstill, or by just depressing the clutch. The pedal does seem to creek a bit right at the very end just before it hits the floor, but its not the same noise as what I have described before.

It's just really weird as I will go days not hearing it at all and then all of a sudden, will do it for the entire journey when taking off from standstill.

The annoying thing is the only way I am going to be able to find out for sure is to give it to someone to strip down. Once its been done, I might as well just replace the clutch as to do all that work and not do it, even if it looks OK would be a bit of a waste of time.

[PaulDJCW]

Hi I think I have a similar issue but mine makes no noise at all. I have an '08 JCW which I have recently purchased used via mini cherished, it has only done 5k miles. Intermittently when releasing the clutch I have an odd feeling, as if the clutch pedal is slightly vibrating or moving against notches. If I don't put the power back on and depress the clutch again it won't do it. Some journeys it won't do it at all. It sometimes does it when idling. It doesn't affect how the car drives but is a worrying sensation. I had an R56 MCS with tuning kit before and it didn't show any signs of this. I’m not sure if it's a problem but will probably be an nightmare trying to replicate at the dealers if it is.

[M.O.S]

My first gen does it. I thought it was the clutch, but its actually something in the seat. May be worth a look?