Hi all,
I have a clunking sound coming from my gearbox area.The ranger drives normally,gear shifts normally.When I push the clutch down,the noise goes away after about 5 seconds.I drove the ranger this morning again,still normal except for the noise.

Took vehicle for two diagnosis.

One company tells me that the pilot bearing is busy failing.

The other company tells me a bearing in the gearbox has failed and I must replace the entire gearbox. ( how come I can still drive the vehicle with no problems)

After searching the net it seems that the pilot bearing is the more obviuos problem.

Any advice please.

 

Welcome to the forum

Since you are from South Africa you will have the T6 Ranger, also called International Ranger, not the same as the North America Ranger we drive here

But symptoms on manual trans vehicles are the same regardless.

Pilot Bearing is in the center of the flywheel on the engine, it supports the end of the transmission's Input Shaft
Pilot Bearing allows flywheel and input shaft to spin at different RPMs

When clutch pedal is up the flywheel and input shaft are spinning at the same RPMs as the engine, so Pilot Bearing is not being used
When clutch pedal is down the Pilot bearing is used, it allows you to Slow down the input shaft to put transmission into a gear

Your noise is opposite of this
Noise goes away when clutch pedal is down

Throwout bearing can make a noise when there is no pressure on it, then stop making the noise when pressure is applied, clutch pedal down.

But to get to the source of the noise the transmission must be pulled back or out regardless of which it is.

It is possible the input shaft bearing, inside transmission, is failing and causing the noise, and that too can be checked once transmission is moved back or out

But there is no mechanic, or person, on the planet that can say for sure what is causing the noise until transmission is pulled back or out, it is a Best Guess

My guess would be throwout bearing, press down lightly on the clutch pedal and see if noise fades away with a little pressure, if so then throwout bearing would likely be the problem

 

Hi Ron,
Thanks for the information.I guess I will have to take the vehicle so that it can be opened for a proper assessment.
To answer your question,When I push the clutch pedal down a little,the noise completely dissapears.
The only problem I have is that the person opening up can tell me anything and I cannot disagree as I dont have knowledge on the issue,so,hopefully I can find a honest mechanic here.

Thanks again,much appreciated

Paul

 

Sound like throw out bearing

Yes, that's everyone's concern, finding an honest mechanic, ask around, look at reviews for shops.

In fairness to Shops/mechanics, they have to use "factory" parts for repairs, and they have to mark them up, they are "in business" to make money, and that is good because if they do a repair, and warranty it, you want them to still be "in business" so they can fix it if it breaks, lol.

The biggest cost to you will be the Labor to pull back the transmission, so they may want you to replace the pilot bearing, clutch, pressure plate and slave/throwout bearing.
I would for sure replace pilot bearing(cheap part) and slave/throw out bearing.
Slave and throwout bearing are separate parts, but are often sold as one piece, which is fine, and worth the extra money in my opinion

Putting in a new clutch disc and pressure plate is up to you, shop can tell you the thickness of current clutch disc, and give you approx. miles left on it

 

But wouldn’t that change the noise if you push the clutch in it doesn’t change it all with the clutch