97 Pathfinder clutch noise - need help diagnosing

[nateb82]

Hi all, new member to this site, however not to the nissan/datsun world. ive owned a 72 510, 82 720 4x4, 89 240sx, 2x 1990 300zx, 98 altima, and now my 97 pathfinder 4x4. I bought the truck about two months ago. at the time it had 120k miles on it and now it has about 121,600. The clutch, flywheel, and throwout bearing was replaced at 119,000 miles, have the paperwork that says so, along with all the maintenance history since the car was new. however, a couple weeks ago i noticed a grinding/vibrating sound when i held the clutch pressed down while not moving for more than 5-10 seconds. Seems like it makes the noise more often when it is cold. some days it does not do it at all while idling and pressing the clutch down, but it always makes the noise while I am shifting from 1st to 2nd, and the sound/vibration is worse the higher the RPMs are while shifting. sometimes it doesnt make the noise if I shift from 1st to 2nd around 2000 RPMs, but any higher and it makes a noise. I am confused as to what this could be, I have never had a problem like this with any car, especially one with such recent clutch work. Could this be something to do with the pressure plate, or is there another bearing that could be making this noise? Or could this be related to the slave cylinder or anything that can be adjusted without taking the transmission out? any help or suggestions are appreciated thanks

[4xq]

Since you seem to hear the noise only in first and second, there is a possibility that it is a bearing in the transmission.

Try leaving the transmission in third / fourth, pressing in the clutch , and coasting to a stop. If you never hear the noise in third or fourth, I would not think the throwout bearing - I would expect noises from that whenever you press in the clutch, no matter what gear.

[nateb82]

Yes if I can hear it in third to fourth but only when I am shifting at higher than normal RPMs. If I am at a stop and holding the clutch in and the noise starts it doesn't matter what gear it is in - 1st 4th or reverse it won't go away until I release the clutch. What oher bearing is there besides the throwout bearing and the input shaft bearing?

[4xq]

You will find the input shaft, output shaft and countershaft in the transmission; each has bearings.

But your additional info does make it sound like the throwout bearing could be the problem. Maybe take it to a transmission shop and see if they will do a test drive or give a listen.