Throw Out Bearing??
 

Symptoms began suddenly today while driving in traffic and are intermittant, but frequent. Depress the clutch pedal and there's a groaning noise, release the clutch and it goes away. Even when the groaning is not there it appears while the clutch is engaging . I can feel a vibration in the gearshift when the groaning happens. I THINK the shifter feels a little stiff and notchy at times.
The clutch does disengage completely when the pedal is pressed.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Sounds like a throw out bearing to me. Fairly straightforward job. Nice to have a second set of hands when reinstalling the clutch pack, though I handled by myself.

Ern-
You didn't say, but did you check the clutch pedal effort level and ensure that the groan isn't emanating from the operator?

Jim,
Thanks for the input.
Donald,
The groan from the operator began AFTER I realized I wuz gonna need a throw out bearing.

Ernest,

Also make sure that your release arm matches your TO bearing which matches the sleeve. Replacing either one of the 3 "can" mean replacing all 3. JEB can weigh in on this.

:roflmao:

Ernest, if you need anything tool wise when you get redy to do this, just give me a call. We're trying to finish up the '84, so I should be around.
John Curry

Pilot Bearing, Tools, Help
 

I thought my clutch disengaged completely too, I decided that it did because it was fairly easy to select reverse. In fact although the clutch was disengaging the pilot shaft was still spinning as the pilot bearing was in very poor condition, having replaced it gearchanges are far quicker and smoother and the weak synchro I have on third is much less of an issue.

If you remove the clutch it would be mad not to replace the pilot bearing as it only costs $15 and is fairly easy to remove (especially if you buy the $15 tool from Harbor Freight).

When you replace the release bearing you will need some way of compressing it to remove it from the pressure plate assembly. You will also need an extra pair of hands when replacing the clutch assembly, I'm sure a jack would work (it is pretty heavy) but a friend is much better!

A bolt and a nut that will fit just inside the pilot bearing is all you need to remove pilot bearing. Let me know if you need help with it.

I think I have the beginnings of this problem. The noise is intermittent only when the car is cold.

Is it one of those things where you do the new clutch thing because it is already apart or do you leave it with the through out and pilot bearing?

BobS
Depends on the year and mileage. The clutch should be inspected while it's out of the car and any R&R should be done at that time.

I would not know what to inspect for ... thickness ... what else ?