[Daren Woodall]

Do any of you know anything about pilot bearings? I'm getting a "cricket" like chirping when my foot is resting on the clutch petal. I'm pretty confident this is what is wrong. I've not been in any hurry to fix it because it is recommended to replace the clutch and related hardward during the process. At this point, I'm not suffering any mechanical issues, just the incessent squeek.

My question is what can happen it I let this go to long? Will there be any catastrophic breakage that might leave me stranded somewhere? Also, I am participating in a performance driving school in a couple of weeks. I expect to be pretty hard on the car over the course of a weekend. Should I have this fixed before I go?

I appreciate any thoughts,

[Jon 94GT]

Actually, that sounds like your throwout bearing. Does the squeak go away when give the pedal more than light pressure? If so, then I think that would be the fingers of the clutch disk rubbing on the throwout, I have had this problem before. You can do one of two things to fix it:
a) replace the bearing.
b) put some sort of high temp, thick grease on the back of the bearing where the fingers come in contact with it.

I have had some brand new bearings do that even, it just depends on the quality of it I suppose. You can also adjust your cable to apply a little more than slight pressure on the clutch, thus causing the fingers to 'grip' more and turn the bearing instead of squealing on it, I have also done this.

[Daren Woodall]

Thanks for the reply. Since I don't really know much about these parts, I get the terms mixed up.

I get the feeling from your reply that you don't see this as any urgent issue. I this true?

[stangsrule]

Daren, I agree with the above and you are correct in stating that it is not an urgent matter... I have driven mine for a year or two like that with no problems. I wouldn't worry about it unless you are bored or dropping the tranny for another reason anyway.

[Jon 94GT]

I also drove mine for a long period of time with it squeeling....its not an urgent matter. You should be fine for a while. If the squeaking gets too annoying...like mine did..just adjust your quadrant to put a little more pressure on it...just enough to where you dont get the squeak anymore.

[Ed Hohenberg]

that sound is absolutely characteristic of the release bearing in these cars. Do yourself a favor, when you do replace it, use a genuine Ford part. The last aftermarket one I had lasted 1 week, and I've talked to too many other people who had the same results.