Hi

my clutch on my 1997 146 1.6ts has been noisey for about a year now ,
when you depress the pedal theres like a a "sssssshhh" sound which goes
away when you life the pedal again.

thats been happening for about a year now and doesn't seem to be
getting any worse , but in the past couple of weeks theres been that
noise plus a metal against metal tapping / rubbing noise on occasions,
which i can actually feel on the pedal, it sounds horrible, but goes
away when you lift the pedal.

everything else feels ok, car changes gear ok, clutch isn't slipping or
anything like that, the gear change is fine!

does it sound like a new clutch is on it's way!? , or could it be
something inside the clutch that needs changing/fixing , i've been
quoted about £400 for a new clutch which is a bit steep!

thanks

Chris

Sounds like the thrust bearing on the clutch release mechanism judging by
your description.

Andy Wilson

I am on my third clutch in my 146 ti.   176,000 miles and still going
strong so no complaints.   On both occasions the clutch failure was
preceded by a rushing noise when the clutch pedal was depressed.   In
both cases it was the thrust bearing which was wearing.

I was advised that if the feel of the clutch pedal is not changing then
you should be OK but any change and you should replace the clutch.   I
ignored this advice the second time and suffered a complete failure (the
clutch would not disengage - scary in town traffic).

On both occasions I paid about £400, mostly labour.   Apparently the
2.0l twinspark is a sh*t of a job.   I don't know about the 1.6 (boxer?).