Hey everybody. My Mini JCW, 51k miles, in the last 2 years has been making a squealing noise when engaging the clutch. For instance, going up my driveway (a bit of a hill). It squeals not only loudly, but it hurts me to hear. It's been doing it more and more since when I first bought it. Is there anything I can do for the noise? What could the problem be? I know the clutch in this car is notorious for going... but if there's some chance this can be solved with a simple fix it would be great. Thanks everybody!

 

It could be going out. Or it could just be glazed and need to burn the glaze off before it stops making noise. We can also see it sometimes when it is cold and high moisture levels.
Try burning it a little and then drive it normal for a week or so if it's just glazed that may clean it off.

Otherwise if you need a new clutch check out our Valeo kit as it's awesome value and reliable.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/valeo-c...l-kit-r53.html

 

You wrote that it squeals... does it slip?

Is the squeal happening when you depress the clutch pedal and you are putting into gear and then it mostly goes away when you are releasing the clutch?

If so I would suggest it is more than likely the throwout bearing.. with car stationary, the engine idling the transmission in neutral, is there any noise? Depress the clutch pedal slowly, does the squealing start when you start to feel the pressure of the throwout bearing making contact with the pressure plate release levers? (this would be the throwout bearing) Or is the squealing happening when the clutch disk is in full contact with the pressure plate and flywheel? (this would more than likely be the clutch plate glazed and possibly the surface of the pressure plate and/or flywheel, you can try to "burn off" the glazing by slipping the clutch, this will add wear and overall shorten the clutch disk like, but may fix your issue).

Slipping the clutch... several ways of doing this, the method I use (have used) is setting the hand brake and running the engine at a moderate speed, putting the car in gear and letting the clutch pedal out slowly to feel it just start to catch, then allow it to slip as you slightly apply and release a small amount of pressure to the clutch to modulate the slipping, when you start to smell the clutch release the hand brake and take the car for a short drive to ease the cooling.

I still expect it to be the throwout bearing.

Best of luck.

Motor on!

 

^This^

Also do a quick search for the "Chewbacca" sound and see if that describes your problem.

If you determine that it's your throwout bearing, you might want to take preemptive action and fix your clutch set: there is a chance (pretty remote chance) that when the TO bearing fails it can damage the trans case, which can get expensive. If it's the Chewbacca, live with it for now and address it when you have to replace the clutch, either with a new flywheel or a conversion kit. One caveat about the conversion kit: some people don't like the feel of the clutch pedal once it's done. Most people are fine with it, but I've had a few complaints that it feels 'funny'.

 

Thanks for the help everybody. I think I'm just gonna let it do it's thing. I really don't need to drop 2k or more to get a noise fixed! As long as it keeps driving, it's all good.