Clutch release bearing sound or ??

[Mr A Baird]

Guys, I just bought a 200 63k miles. Clutch bite point was very low and when pushing on trying to change gears quickly it just doesn't like it. It felt like you had to be gentle with it. Also 5k miles ago it had the 3rd gear synchro done.

I bought a new LUK clutch kit with slave cylinder and had it installed by an independent garage (ex Renault tech). Collected the car and the rattle sound when the car is started and on idle, press the clutch in and it disappears. I rang the guy who fitted it and he came to me today as he said done drive it just now, he took a listen and said it may be bedding the bearing in or maybe a faulty bearing from LUK? He also advised he has heard the same on a few Clios over the years and its nothing to worry about. I just don't want it failing and having to spend more money to pull the box out to fit a new bearing and perhaps it doesn't go away? I have had mates out in the car and not said anything about the bearing and they havnt noticed it. But its very clear to hear. Any thoughts? Does your car make a similar sound?

 

[sevenfourate]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. After doing some 'maintenance' work too !



Did it make the same sound before; as it does now after the work ? Im guessing not......

And in regard of being told the bearing is 'bedding in'. Thats a possibility per-se. But i've not 'heard' too many bearings get quieter with age / wear if i'm honest. Many bearings need bedding / running in. They don't normally significantly quieten down though IMO.

My standard clutched 200 doesn't have any clutch release bearing noise either. And i've not seen or read many post about it here or on facebook etc. So while some (With worn parts ?) may well have it - i would 200% also say: 'not normal' on Clio's.

What about come selling time too. The noise would make me dubious. Let alone the fact if it does give up the ghost as you say....

From that - you could say: i wouldnt be happy in this situation either. Can you get a second opinion anywhere ?

 

[Mr A Baird]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. After doing some 'maintenance' work too !



Did it make the same sound before; as it does now after the work ? Im guessing not......

And in regard of being told the bearing is 'bedding in'. Thats a possibility per-se. But i've not 'heard' too many bearings get quieter with age / wear if i'm honest. Many bearings need bedding / running in. They don't normally significantly quieten down though IMO.

My standard clutched 200 doesn't have any clutch release bearing noise either. And i've not seen or read many post about it here or on facebook etc. So while some (With worn parts ?) may well have it - i would 200% also say: 'not normal' on Clio's.

What about come selling time too. The noise would make me dubious. Let alone the fact if it does give up the ghost as you say....

From that - you could say: i wouldnt be happy in this situation either. Can you get a second opinion anywhere ?

Yes, just thinking now if its a bad bearing. As it does happen with anything you get a one off bad part. Im out the cost to pull the gear box out again and fit a new one. Bought the kit from carpartsforless (eurocarparts). They want the part sent back to send to LUK to be inspected and if so replaced in 40 days). Some use this is. I have only done ten miles in the car. Will take it a good drive tomorrow and see were we are with it.

 

[J90RDN]

Never really heard of a bearing having to be bed in. I've had cars in the past with noisy release bearings. It's not an immediate fail, they can go years with a noisy bearing, but with only 10 miles on it I would say you have a faulty part.

Pulling a freshly installed box and replacing the release bearing isn't a massive job for a competent mechanic with the right tools and a ramp - 2 to 3 hours I would say, but annoying.

Perhaps you could come to some agreement with CP4L and buy another bearing, return the faulty part, then once/if they agree it is faulty they give you a refund rather than another bearing???

 

[sevenfourate]

Not good - but perhaps unsurprising. Inspect it lol. Yea: I can imagine....

Not much help at this point: But: I'd be fitting a standard Renault part(s) if it were me. The whole standard clutch assembly on these is generally completely trouble free. Even on mildy modded cars with a bit more oomph.

I'm not implying you did it for this reason....but with the costs of gearbox removal etc - it's just not worth the risk of fitting a 'second rate' part for the sake of a few quid IMO. And if it wasn't about ££££ - then even more-so. (Isn't hindsight wonderful !).

I personally don't see whatever noise you have getting better or disappearing. Goes without saying you also want to be 100% sure exactly what the noise is before you go swapping parts out 'willy nilly'. A 'rattle' as you described it could actually be pressure plates ?? Or something else. Just be careful diving out of the frying pan into the fire is all I'm saying....


Good luck and keep us in touch.

 

[john_walker74]

Some Renault clutches are service exchange items that can and do fail.

 

[J90RDN]

Not good - but perhaps unsurprising. Inspect it lol. Yea: I can imagine....

Not much help at this point: But: I'd be fitting a standard Renault part(s) if it were me. The whole standard clutch assembly on these is generally completely trouble free. Even on mildy modded cars with a bit more oomph.

I'm not implying you did it for this reason....but with the costs of gearbox removal etc - it's just not worth the risk of fitting a 'second rate' part for the sake of a few quid IMO. And if it wasn't about ££££ - then even more-so. (Isn't hindsight wonderful !).

I personally don't see whatever noise you have getting better or disappearing. Goes without saying you also want to be 100% sure exactly what the noise is before you go swapping parts out 'willy nilly'. A 'rattle' as you described it could actually be pressure plates ?? Or something else. Just be careful diving out of the frying pan into the fire is all I'm saying....


Good luck and keep us in touch.

I know the Renault clutch is a LUX part, so always assumed the release bearing was LUX also???

 

[sevenfourate]

I know the Renault clutch is a LUX part, so always assumed the release bearing was LUX also???

Ok - that explains that !

Presume therefore 'same' part is cheaper via ECP's than Renault direct.

Sounds like rotten luck then...

 

[Mr A Baird]

I am taking it into them tomorrow to inspect. Its not changed to a higher pitch noise too. Sometimes it disappears all together. Would rather leave it right, hopefully I can do a deal on labour and it wont take to long now pulling it out again.

 

[Foxspeed]

could be one of the centre plate damper springs rattling as it goes off once the clutch is down ie centre plate not clamped and turning so you can select gears....if its an actual bearing fault they are usually noisy and get worse once the clutch is down...as they are constantly turning

 

[onslow]

CSC's replaced release bearings so if there is a noise it could come from the CSC but as you have no release bearing it won't be that.

 

[Mr A Baird]

CSC's replaced release bearings so if there is a noise it could come from the CSC but as you have no release bearing it won't be that.

Cheers, thats what it must be. Just to try and get LUK to pay for fitting another. I shall try.

 

[onslow]

ECP do sell Chinese versions of CSC's that are a bit cheaper but the kit you seem to have bought is one of LUK's 3 in 1 CSC kits.
The OE CSC's are generally quite good
Was it bled properly when fitted???

 

[Mr A Baird]

ECP do sell Chinese versions of CSC's that are a bit cheaper but the kit you seem to have bought is one of LUK's 3 in 1 CSC kits.
The OE CSC's are generally quite good
Was it bled properly when fitted???

I believe so, he is a Renault tech so I assume he knows what he is doing. Will hear the outcome. I bought another CSC to let him install if he thinks the other is faulty. Then I can see what CPFL and LUK say to see if I have a chance to get labour costs or part of back.

 

[FREDERIKQ]

Was it bled properly when fitted???

Sorry for the offtopic but I'm having the same issue after replacing my engine.
Could an improper bleeding be the cause of this noise?
Clutch works fine tho.

 

[CallorFold]

Sounds like the clutch slave cylinder. Mine did the same, squealing noise with clutch up and stopped as soon as the clutch was pressed. Did your LUK clutch kit come with a replacement slave as well? or just the clutch?

Here's my old thread with a video of the noise too, listen carefully to the background squeal http://www.clio197.net/threads/new-noise-developed-under-the-bonnet.53068/

 

[Mr A Baird]

Guys, turns out it was the Clutch slave cylinder. The LUK one was faulty. I was able to get a sachs locally for £65, got it done yesterday and all is well. Now to chase CPFL and see what they will do for me, cost me 6 hours labour to get done.