What is the reason for the clutch making noise when released but not when pressed down?

[MacAyla]

It may be due to a malfunction in the clutch pressure plate or clutch disc. Here are some precautions for using the clutch: 1. Pay attention to the posture when pressing the clutch: The clutch pedal should be controlled with the ball of the foot. When pressing the clutch pedal, place the ball of your foot on the pedal with your heel touching the ground. Keep your knee slightly bent when the clutch is fully depressed. Avoid using your toes to press the pedal or lifting your heel off the ground to prevent insufficient force or slipping. 2. Ensure the clutch is fully depressed to the lowest point: Avoid keeping the clutch engaged for extended periods and ensure complete disengagement. 3. Control the timing of clutch release: When driving, do not release the clutch too quickly or deliberately raise the engine speed too high, as this will accelerate clutch wear. 4. Coordinate clutch operation with gear shifting: If the gear shift is not smooth, first release the clutch, then press it again and shift gears. Avoid forcing the gear shift, as this can cause friction between the transmission gears and lead to damage.

[MacRosalie]

I've encountered this situation several times where the clutch is quiet when pressed down but makes noise when released. The most common issue is a faulty release bearing—it doesn't rotate when pressed down, hence quiet, but once released, the clutch rotates with the engine, and a damaged bearing will squeak. Additionally, if the damping springs on the clutch disc are loose or broken, they can produce a clicking sound when the clutch is released. A warped or severely worn pressure plate can also cause similar noises, especially noticeable in older vehicles. Another easily overlooked point is insufficient lubrication of the release fork shaft; lack of grease can cause dry metal friction noises. Don't delay fixing these issues—last time my car had this problem, the entire clutch system ended up failing. When driving, it's advisable to minimize riding the clutch to extend component lifespan.

[MacGrace]

This kind of fault is quite common during car repairs. When the clutch is depressed, the release bearing is not under load, but when lifted, it starts to rotate and work. Of course, it will make noise if the bearing is damaged. If the spline groove of the clutch disc is rusted and stuck or worn, it will also make a clicking sound when engaged. If the diaphragm spring of the pressure plate is broken, you will notice a sharp metal scraping sound when releasing the clutch. By the way, don't forget to check the transmission input shaft bearing, as problems with it can also cause such noises. If any abnormalities are found, repair them as soon as possible. Last time, I replaced a release bearing for a car, and the abnormal noise disappeared immediately. I also applied grease to the clutch fork, and the effect was very noticeable. In daily use, avoid keeping the clutch depressed while waiting at traffic lights, as this will accelerate the wear of the release bearing.

[RoseDella]

My car had this issue before - no sound when pressing down, but a creaking noise when releasing. The mechanic said the release bearing was shot, as it needs to rotate when lifting the clutch, hence the noise. Another possibility was loose buffer springs on the clutch disc, causing noise during engagement. During inspection, he also found slight deformation in my pressure plate, so we ended up replacing the entire clutch set. Now it drives super smooth. Don't delay fixing such problems - my neighbor kept putting it off until the whole clutch system completely failed. Regular maintenance checks are essential.