Knocking Noise When Clutch Lifted

[Guest Minidudec3]

Hi everyone, this is my first post so hopefully you can help. I have a 52 citroen c3 hdi 16v and it has recently developed a problem.

The problem is when I'm driving along and I lift the clutch whilst in gear to slow down I hear a knocking noise which slows as I slow down to a stop. If you could imagine it's like the sound of having a sticker on the wheel but the noise is a very obvious knocking noise.

I have looked at the car idle but it seems fine. The knocking only happens when lifting clutch in gear for slowing down or when changed gear and not putting revs down.

Please help!!

[paul.h]

A few questions that may help us.

By lifting the clutch do you mean pushing the clutch pedal to the floor ?

Are you applying the brakes when the noise occurs ?

How many miles has the car done and does the clutch work ok ?

Have you checked the tyres for damage or stones stuck in the tread ?

With the clutch pedal pushed down whilst the noise is occuring, if you rev the engine does the noise frequency increase - just to see if it is engine speed related or road speed related.

[Guest Minidudec3]

Helpful answers to good questions...

 

By lifting the clutch I mean when in gear lifting the clutch up as if using the engine to slow down.

Noise occurs when applying the brakes and not as long as throttle is not touched.

Car has done 87000 and clutch is fine... No crunching of gears so far.

Noise sounds too loud for anything to be on wheels. Sound gets louder the more you drive.

With the clutch down and in neutral the sound seems to disappear but if you touch the throttle at any point it also gets the noise gone...

 

Hope this is of use... Any further qns then please do ask away...

[paul.h]

My initial thoughts are the noise could be related to applying the brakes and nothing to do with the clutch (although difficult for me to tell without seeing the car). When were the brakes last serviced/checked, it could be the front brake pads are worn down to the metal backing plate. For a proper check you would need to remove the wheels. If you are not sure what to look for, some places such as Kwik Fit do a free brake check but I have never used them so this is not a recommendation. I would also check the wheel bolts are tight.

[Guest Minidudec3]

I've taken it to my local garage... It's the gearbox... Yes the worst thing to go on a car!!! Thanks for your help

[paul.h]

Let us know what the garage finds and I hope it is not expensive for you.