What Causes the Squeaking Sound When Pressing the Clutch?

[DeCorbin]

Here are the reasons for the squeaking sound when pressing the clutch: 1. If you hear a sharp screeching sound when the clutch is about to engage, and the sound disappears when you press the pedal but reappears when you release it, this is caused by a broken driven plate steel sheet or exposed rivet heads scraping against the pressure plate or flywheel. It should be repaired. 2. If the clutch makes a metallic "click" or "clunk" sound during engagement or disengagement, especially more noticeable when starting with a heavy load, this is due to excessive clearance between the driven plate spline hole and its shaft. In severe cases, it should be repaired or replaced. If you hear a "clatter" sound, it is caused by loose friction plates on the steel sheet or impact between the release levers and the window holes. 3. If the clutch pedal is lifted very slowly and the vehicle jerks forward with a "thud" sound, this is caused by sudden engagement of the driving and driven parts. The reasons are twofold: first, the linkage system is stuck, causing the pressure plate to suddenly press against the driven plate, resulting in jerking; second, the driven plate is deformed or the friction lining is contaminated with oil, causing the clutch to engage abruptly and lead to jerking.

[LaDamian]

I've also experienced the squeaky clutch pedal issue, which is mostly caused by lack of lubrication in the mechanical components around the clutch pedal area. Older cars are particularly prone to this problem – when the pedal pivot pin or return spring rubs dry, it creates that sharp squeaking sound. The DIY fix is quite simple: get a can of WD-40 or specialized grease, crawl under the driver's seat to locate the rotating shaft, spray some lubricant, then test by pressing the clutch pedal a few times. If the noise persists, deeper issues might be at play – it could indicate wear in the release bearing (that part squeals when rotating against the pressure plate). The most troublesome scenario is a deformed clutch fork, like what happened to my friend's car that required transmission disassembly at the repair shop. My advice: try lubrication first, but if that doesn't work, visit a professional mechanic promptly.