Thrust bearings squealing! Do they generally last a long time before outcrap?

[kriemhild]

Ok so, I've been noticing a squealing noise in my car. Thought it was the fan belt but has since been tightened. Today I noticed that when I put the clutch in the squealing stops... Could it be the thrust bearings? which my dodgy mechanic didn't replace when he worked on the clutch and gearbox. If so, can dodgy thrust bearings do their duty for awhile before they crap out? Just give me a general idea, thanks : P

[oldschool]

"squealing noise in my car"...isn't that your b/f complaining about your Avenger??!!
Won't be the clutch thrust bearing as they squeal when you push the clutch in.
Hey...maybe that dodgy mechanic didn't put any oil back in the gearbox after he changed the clutch??

[hunted]

I always thought this was the thrust bearing ( a few of my cars have done it)....but if Ross says otherwise.....

[oldschool]

Yeah, a noise when you push the clutch in will be either the thrust bearing or the spigot bearing in the flywheel.
An exception are Ford Capris, Escorts and Cortinas that have the thrust bearing spinning all the time because it's in light contact with the pressure plate...On those models the clutch clearance is checked by lifting the clutch pedal, rather than measuring the gearbox fork clearance, as in normal cars like Avengers...lol

[kriemhild]

it might possibly be the b/f as he's ALWAYS squealing when there's noises to be made about the Avenger. BLOODY AVENGER!  That's him, of course, but he's jealous of the love affair I have with my four-speed NZ-assembled welt of devilry.

well. the noise totally DISAPPEARS when I do push the clutch in. WHEN the clutch is pushed in. It's silent then- WHEN I push the clutch in. Squeal Noise= almost non-stop otherwise. Hum. Got a lock-nut or something on my clutch cable now which will stop the clutch from changing its mind about biting points, it's also decided to let me put the thing into gear.

so... you're being rather cryptic. The noise that I get whenever the clutch is not pushed in. What could that be? In words that are simple and easy to understand for a lassie that understands little? Is it something to worry about? or should I just rock with the squeal?

[oldschool]

Hard to diagnose sounds from afar...your b/f is a lot closer...where does he think the sound is coming from?

[kriemhild]

he reckons it's the thrust bearings. However, he's quite hard of hearing. Especially with high-pitched noises. He can't actually hear the noise; being blown up by cutting his own gas line and various other accidents have put paid to his ears. Poor bastard.

Will get under it tomorrow evening, let him do the clutchy- then I might locate Yon Shriek.