[shinyredcar]

Dear i30-owners,

I have a problem with my new(ish) i30:

When I downshift gears there is sometimes a rather loud howling noise
This seems to be worse just after starting the car up (after it's been parked overnight, for example)
The noise is loudest shifting from 5th to 4th; slightly less loud from 4th to 3rd; even less loud from 3rd to 2nd (almost inaudible)
The noise comes when the clutch pedal is lifted about halfway up after changing down gear (i.e. before the gears seem to be engaged)
When the gears are engaged (the engine revs go up and the car brakes) the noise disappears (i.e. it seems to be at the point where the clutch is engaging)
After 4 or 5 miles the noise seems to go away

Any ideas? The car only has around 4000 miles from new and it's just started doing this. I will conatct the dealer next week (it is of course under warranty), but thought I'd post here for any comments.

Thanks.

[eye30]

Clutch release bearing??

[Myowni30]

Clutch thrust bearing.

[Dazzler]

I also suspect the clutch bearing (although it could be coming from passenger seat if you are married  )

[Shambles]

Turn the radio up louder

[Surferdude]

Clutch release bearing??

Clutch thrust bearing.

Lookit all these varying terms for the same thing.
I was going to say the clutch throwout bearing.  

[Dazzler]

I was going to say the clutch throwout bearing.  

That must be an old fellas name for it.. That is what I thought it was called too (I had a noisy one in an LC Torana about 33 years ago)

That is why I just said clutch bearing...

[Lorian]

Clutch release bearing??

Indeed, or maybe "Insufficient grease on the sliding surface of the bearing sleeve"

whatever one of those it.

[2i30s]

its called a thrust bearing. 

I'll be different. If it was the thrust bearing (that's what I call it too) the squeal would be evident pretty much whenever the clutch pedal has any pressure on it and can vary sometimes with applied pressure, often only squealing when the pressure is light, and goes away when the clutch is fully depressed when the pressure on the bearing is greatest, or vice versa.

The description suggests to me the noise is associated with the clutch itself engaging. Why it occurs more (only?) on the downshift could be because the relative speed difference between the clutch plate and the driven plate is greatest when changing down. I'd be interested to see if the noise could be reduced/eliminated by "rev matching" during the downshift.

[2i30s]

it may even be the bearings inside the gear box itself.    take it to the dealers asap,let us know what it was mate. 

it may even be the bearings inside the gear box itself. 

Yes, was my thought also. I also wondered whether the noise could be induced by strong engine braking like coasting down a steep hill on the overrun.

[shinyredcar]

Cheers all,

Will get it booked in tomorrow.

Just a bit of further info:

It makes the noise even if the revs are quite low (e.g. going from 5th to 4th under 2500rpm)
Only makes the noise at what feels like just before biting point
Stops doing this after cars been driven for a few miles ?

Cheers again. Will try to post following dealer's comments.

[Lorian]

I seem to recall someone else reported a similar sort of noise some time ago, and I think the outcome was the warranty replacement of the clutch.

[eye30]

Just a thought -- have you checked where the pet cat is???

[Lorian]

Just a thought -- have you checked where the pet cat is???

Funny enought that thread came to my mind too "Check auxhillary belt for fur" 

[shinyredcar]

Wouldn't it be making a purring noise if it was the cat?  I'm not sure if there's a claws in the warranty that covers that (wah wah)

[Dazzler]

Wouldn't it be making a purring noise if it was the cat?  I'm not sure if there's a claws in the warranty that covers that (wah wah)

Jeepers  Your puns are as corny as mine (I like the claws one) 

[eye30]

Wouldn't it be making a purring noise if it was the cat?  I'm not sure if there's a claws in the warranty that covers that (wah wah)

 

[2i30s]

the problem must have been terminal,hes not gotten back to us yet.