"Whirring" noise

FireJeep

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2018
Messages
707
Location
Virginia
2005 LJ Rubicon with 6 speed manual, whether the clutch is in our out I hear a whirring noise, like a bearing running too dry, it does change pitch when the clutch is depressed and it does not do it all the time..... I am thinking the throwout bearing is going bad, what are your thoughts?.........
 
Normally a bad throw out bearing only makes noise when clutch is depressed, that is when the bearing is against the pressure plate.

Maybe a dry pilot bearing?

Just a thought.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireJeep
Mine made all kinds of noise that I accepted as normal for the 6 spd. When the TOB finally froze and I did a clutch swap, 90% of that noise went away. The TOB was frozen and the pilot bearing had disintegrated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireJeep
I completely forgot about the pilot bushing/bearing.... Seems to me it would make sense to just put a new clutch in while it is all apart, Jeep has 120,000 miles and it is the original clutch.... thoughts? Is it a pilot bushing or bearing? After it disintegrated did it damage the crank or the input shaft on the trans? TIA
 
Mine make a noise like a whirring when the trans is in neutral and the clutch is out. Same thing?
 
Mine does it whether the clutch is in or out and does not do it all the time...... I think O-Pat may be on to something....it may just be the pilot bushing, but if I take it apart I am gonna replace the clutch while I am at it. Growing up I had a '73 Javelin and put a T-10 four speed in it, I had the flywheel resurfaced because that is what I was taught, but it seems I can get a whole new flywheel for fairly cheap, thoughts on this?.....
 
Yes, just do the entire clutch since you are in there. I replaced every part when I did mine. Yes, the input shaft had some scoring but I was able to polish it out with some emery cloth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireJeep
Mine does it whether the clutch is in or out and does not do it all the time...... I think O-Pat may be on to something....it may just be the pilot bushing, but if I take it apart I am gonna replace the clutch while I am at it. Growing up I had a '73 Javelin and put a T-10 four speed in it, I had the flywheel resurfaced because that is what I was taught, but it seems I can get a whole new flywheel for fairly cheap, thoughts on this?.....
Do not resurface the flywheel. It has a slight convex shape. The FSM recommends cleaning it with emery cloth. Chances are you won't need to replace it unless it is badly scored/heat checked.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireJeep
Trailered it down to my mechanic Saturday, boy am I glad I did not attempt it in my driveway..... his lift was a huge help! Amazon had the wrong listing for the flywheel, fyi there is a difference from 2004 to 2005, there are 24 crank positioning lobes on the 2005 and only 12 on the 2004. Luckily my flywheel was still in good shape, for that matter so was the clutch, not even close to being worn out but I put the new one in anyway since we had it all apart. The pilot bearing was in ok shape but it got replaced with a new Timken, the throwout bearing was another story, there were ballbearings laying in the bottom of the bell housing....it came off in three different pieces. It got replaced with a new National all metal one. Thanks to all those who listed advice and part numbers!!!! While we had it apart I replace the entire hydraulic assembly as well, prefilled and bled and completely assembled.