Squeeky Clutch?

My clutch started letting out a chirp now when it engages just before it fully "grabs". It doesn't do it at any other time though. The flywheel, Disk, Pressure Plate, Throwout Bearing, and Pilot Bearing were all replaced a few months ago. This is the RAM Powergrip 6-puck clutch. It's always been kind of grabby, but it has never made any noise until it started doing this last week. It doesn't smoke or slip - just squeaks when I engage it. It's freakin embarrassing.

I do have a tiny oil leak that I haven't been able to track down. I don't think it's the rear-main and I don't *think* there's any oil in the bell-housing, but if some oil got on the disk at some point would it cause this?

Sounds like a clutch fork to me. The little spring tabs that hold the throw out bearing get old and break, causing a chirp.

Hard part to find. Something like $300 for a new one, not to mention have to pull off the transmission to get to it.

It does seem like someone had found a cheap alternative not to long ago. Might look into.

As for it being a possible oil leak, I doubt it will make a chirping noise.

I know exactly what you are talking about and Its normal! I have the same clutch. Its the nature of the ceramic 6 puck disc. It kinda lets you know its broken in. I've had this clutch for over a year and it's great. I don't really mind the chirpy sound when it engages. When people ask I jus tell them it's ceramic.

I checked out the clutch fork to be safe and from what I could tell everything's on the up and up.

If it's normal I won't worry about it. Thanks for the info, fellas!

I'd suspect the pilot or throwout bearing. Further investigation into when it chirps compared to when those bearings are rolling should narrow it down to one or the other.

Sir it would not be the pilot bearing. Because with the clutch pedal up the input shaft and flywheel spin in common. The pilot bearing only comes into play when you have the clutch pedal depressed and the tranny in gear. Then the pilot bearing has a spinning input shaft. The throw out bearing is the culprit. I for one dont buy the issue of the retainers being broken causes it. I think its the fingers on the clutch that are different heights (slightly different heights). Reason is the TC hydraulic clutch has a spring loaded SLAVE that puts a slight preasure on the fork and throw out bearing against the fingers when the pedal is up. Years ago clutch throw out bearings did not touch the fingers when the clutch pedal is up. The bearing pulled off the fingers. But basically all modern clutches have what we call full contact bearings (Self centering). They ride the fingers all the time. Sometimes the bearing will fluctuate up and down on pedal up and cause the chirp. Granted the fork has those springs but according to Ford its to hold the bearing on the fork while installing the tranny. They were never designed to eliminate noise. But yes they do in some cases. I have no springs on any of my cars and they do not make noise. I think its the trueness of the fingers at rest. Now if the noize is when the clutch pedal is down. its either the pilot or the throw out bearing not when the clutch pedal is up. A chirp on the other hand in transition is a killer. This can be normal at times and with nothing wrong. Finding a problem like this can be just a matter of some loube in the right places. I normally slightly loube the input sleeve with lithium and also the face of the Throw out bearing. That noize may just go away in time. Just my opinion. Thank you gentlemen and have a good morning.

83-86 TC's actually have mechanical, cable operated clutch. It's only the 87-88's that have the hydraulic system. I feel as though the noise is coming from the disc itself more so than a bearing. When it happens, the clutch is right on the cusp of being fully engaged, And it doesn't really sound like metal on metal.

Trust me... Its the ceramic of the disc and it kinda tells you its broken in. Same Clutch, Same Noise, Never slips, drives everyday, and hits the track here and there

Yes sir it does and it still has the self centering bearing. If memory serves me the TO is the same part #. Its been a while since i wrenched on an early coupe. But the mustang has a cable also and the bearing is identical and yes its also spring loaded and rides the fingers. Years ago it was always necessary to put in app 1-1 1/2 inches of play in a pedal to bring the bearing off the fingers. Once again this is not done today and the bearing rides the fingers all the time. Thank you sir and i still think the noise is normal with that type of clutch. Have a good evening Sir

Yeah I'm satisfied that it's a normal noise. Still slightly annoying, but I'm not worried about it. Thanks for the input. Good to know I'm not going to be needing to replace my almost new clutch again! And Paulie... thanks for the info about the T/O Bearing. I've been wondering if it's always in contact with the fingers or not.

Of course I can't keep this thing on the road for more than a week and a half at a time anyways... Front wheel bearing let go yesterday so I got some work to do tonight.