New Clutch squels - getting worse

[CMB]

I recently dropped a used engine and transmission into the tercel (84 4wd manual). I replaced the clutch, pressure plate, throughout bearing, pilot bearing and oil seals while I had the engine and tranny out and separated. All parts were quality OEM parts. I also had the flywheel surfaced. I have driven the car about 230 miles since the swap. The transmission works and shifts fine, but the clutch squeals badly when the car is started first thing in the morning and occasionally thereafter. It has gotten worse in the 230 miles since install. Any ideas? I haws hoping that it was just the new clutch settling in, but it is getting worse.

[Petros]

presuming it is not the fan belt, it sounds like it is either the throw out bearing or the pilot bearing. I had a similar experience with an aftermarket "oem" pilot bearing; it started squealing within a few months of installing it. Either one does not really harm anything, but they are annoying. A year or so later I had to pull the engine so I put the old factory pilot bearing back in it, stopped the squeal. I am still driving on it now with over 300k miles on it.

So you either live with it until you either can not stand it, or you have to pull the engine or trans for another reason (which could be years from now), and replace it. Either put your old one back in or buy just the pilot bearing from a Toyota dealer.

Good luck.

[CMB]

It was the alt belt. I feel like a dip. I loosened and removed the belt, and no noise on start up. Replaced belt, retensioned belt, and no more noise since. I should have guessed since I had just replaced bearings in the alt, during the whole rebuild. Thanks Petros.

I am happy it is not the pilot bearing, that is for sure!

[Petros]

That is why I mentioned the fan belt, as a reminder there are other things that cause that kind of noise. Occasionally they start making noise after some other major repair and tendency is to think it is related. But old cars often have more than one thing wrong with it at a time. One time I got a Tercel4wd cheap because it ran like crap, PO said the carb needed rebuilding, but I found nine unrelated vacuum leaks! Carb was fine.

Good news is, it was an easy fix!

[CMB]

Thanks for mentioning the alternator belt, Petros!

[emmahumpfritter]

This thread put a smile on my face If they all could be so easy.

Petros...you (are one of) da man!

[MorToy]

Keep on smiling!

I was having same issue: loud squealing occurred when I engaged the clutch and then released the clutch. It would trail on for a few seconds then disappear only to come back when I put clutch back in to shift. Clutch functioned perfectly. I even described it to someone as, "Sounds like a belt squeal." Only happened when I started the car in cold (below 40 degree) weather and would go away once vehicle warmed up. Dreaded thought of taking engine out to get at the clutch--I just installed brand new genuine, from dealer, Toyota clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing!

Let it stew, read this thread, and remembered *DING!* I had been messing with alternator awhile ago and checked the fan belt. What do you know, bit loose. Tightened up belt to take out slack and my "clutch" squeal has disapperared. Go figure. START SIMPLE! Lesson relearned. Pretty sure I would have checked belt before remvoing engine or dropping tranny....pretty...