Since the clutch is a key part of a car, any sign of a problem should immediately grab attention. So, a squeak may indicate cable wear, lack of lubrication, or breakage of the clutch fork.
Competent work with the clutch allows you to operate it without any particular problems up to a run of 75-80 thousand kilometers. However, for a number of reasons, complications of varying severity can occur much earlier. Talking about serious symptoms that clearly indicate that this unit of the car requires urgent repair (the clutch "leads" or it slips), it is worth only in a car dealership. But you need to pay attention to the case when the clutch squeaks.
The main types of clutch squeak
The experience of operating cars shows that there are two main types of clutch squeak.
1. Squeak, which does not affect the operation of the clutch drive or the unit itself, the so-called "light" squeak. Rather, it only irritates the car owner with its sound.
2. “Heavy” or hard squeak. Usually accompanied by a tight pedal stroke or it jerks. Motorists often talk about the clicks they feel when operating the clutch pedal. This squeak can cause the drive cable to break or the clutch fork to break.
How to try to eliminate squeaks yourself
As the people say, the car loves lubrication and affection. Very often the reason for the clutch squeak is precisely the lack of lubrication on the rubbing surfaces. Try the following tips from experienced motorists.
1. Apply WD grease to the pedal assembly from inside the vehicle.
2. Slide the rubber washer on the clutch fork, remove the cable pin from the slot, wipe off accumulated dirt and lubricate the cable itself and the PTFE bushing with graphite grease.
3. Using a syringe, try to lubricate the cable under the groove on the fork and clutch pedal sides.
4. Remove the boot from the clutch yoke and properly coat the shaft and bushings that rotate with a suitable lubricant. Experts recommend using aerosol molybdenum.
Many believe that the reason for the squeaks is a design flaw that allows the clutch fork to make vertical movements with a sufficiently large amplitude. Over time, the fork drops down and the bearing rubs directly against the input shaft. The solution is to center the fork by placing washers of the correct thickness in the seat.
Sometimes the pressure finger that connects the pedal to the master cylinder squeaks. But here you can’t help with lubrication. The only thing is, do not forget about it when you install a new one.
You can name a number of other reasons for the clutch creak, but in any case, if the simple manipulations described above do not solve the problem, you should contact a specialist.
