Clutch pedal thudding & scratchy sound on idle

[samc1992]

Hello folks, I have a problem that I need some of your insight on. When the van is at idle and in neutral, if I rest my foot on the clutch pedal I can feel a thudding, like someone is tapping my foot with a hammer very lightly. There's a slight scratchy/tappy noise coming from around the clutch/flywheel area, but it's not obnoxious. Sometimes I'll struggle to get into 1st and reverse gear. If I press the pedal in the noise goes away, and when I pull the pedal up it comes back.

Model is Mk7 2.2 TDCi 85 Euro 4 FWD. It has a single mass flywheel with a non-dampening crank pulley. Originally I thought it was a failing DMF, or the rubber had perished on the crank pulley but my van doesn't have either of those things. Crank pulley doesn't seem to have any play in it from what I can see, and if I give it a wiggle it doesn't budge at all. I also considered whether it's the torque restrictor because sometimes it makes a "clanging" sound when changing gear, but I don't think that would cause the constant thudding on idle when stationary. Maybe I'm wrong. I plan to change the torque restrictor soon anyway.

Others have said it might be the spigot bearing, clutch splines are damaged, or "gearbox is buggered." I doubt it's a buggered gearbox because the van moves just fine, no other unusual or horrible noises, just that thudding through the clutch pedal that's bothering me, but I don't know enough about gearboxes and clutches to really say for sure.

Thanks all!

[metalworker0]

release bearing ?

Sorry I don't know what a torque restrictor is .


spigot bearing ... hmm .. ive no experience of the symptoms of a bad one.

so you'll have to wait for someone else, who knows

all the best.mark

[samc1992]

release bearing ?

Sorry I don't know what a torque restrictor is .


spigot bearing ... hmm .. ive no experience of the symptoms of a bad one.

so you'll have to wait for someone else, who knows

all the best.mark

Well if you think it might be the release bearing then I trust your insight, I'll look into it, thanks!

By the torque restrictor I mean the engine mount that fits underneath onto the gearbox.

[metalworker0]

Yes .. i think the engine mount could play a part in this ... as the gearchange is cable.. and a moving mount would pull on the cables giving you an imprecise gear selection. . so maybe a combination of both, release bearing and mount if found to be loose and worn.

Hand brake on . you'll have to look down at the engine and observe the way it rocks, from a safe position , while you have someone , operating the clutch, and engaging the gears ... but not letting the clutch fully out as to stall it ... you want to be going into a forward gear , then reverse... etc, you'll be observing excessive rock of engine and box, if that torque mount is worn

Depending on what mileage at has on it .. could also have drive shafts that are worn... they would clunk and tap, inner joints all the time when in high gear, going slowly, lugging it at 20 mph in 5th would show up the beginnings of symptoms of driveshaft wear. clanging when changing gear being the take up of the slack of the wear and metal hitting metal.
Outer driveshhaft cvs, they would first show them selves when driving in tight circles' clunking will be heard.

When you have a van with high mileage .. lets say plus 180,000 miles .then there is possible wear on a lot of drivetrain components, all acting and culminating together. so hard to diagnose .

all the best.mark

[knobby1]

What's a "torque restrictor"..?? Or are you talking about the lower geabox mount "dogbone"..??

Can't be the spigot bearing...FWD's don't have one. More than likely the release bearing or 1st motion shaft bearing not happy...either way, gearbox out to check/sort.

Lord Knobrot

[samc1992]

What's a "torque restrictor"..?? Or are you talking about the lower geabox mount "dogbone"..??

Can't be the spigot bearing...FWD's don't have one. More than likely the release bearing or 1st motion shaft bearing not happy...either way, gearbox out to check/sort.

Lord Knobrot

I think even you've called it a torque restrictor in previous threads, haha! Yes that one.

Okay good to have your insight on it, thanks! Release bearing seems to be mentioned a lot. Worst case scenario the breaker yard up the road has the exact same model Transit on 110k and I can have the gearbox off that.

[andz327]

What's a "torque restrictor"..?? Or are you talking about the lower geabox mount "dogbone"..??

Can't be the spigot bearing...FWD's don't have one. More than likely the release bearing or 1st motion shaft bearing not happy...either way, gearbox out to check/sort.

Lord Knobrot

Personally I'd call it the engine steady bar or lower gearbox mount ...... never even heard of a torque restrictor lol

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[andz327]

Wont be your gearbox ,5spd are quite reliable
Where in Glesga are you ?

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[samc1992]

It's probably the only time this will ever happen on this forum, but I can smugly say that you are both wrong

Screenshot_20250926-215507.png

[samc1992]

Wont be your gearbox ,5spd are quite reliable
Where in Glesga are you ?

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Aye it seems that way, and it doesn't sound or feel particularly nasty either. Just that thumping really.

I'm Southside, unfortunately there seems to be a severe lack of garages that either have availability or even want to work on an old van in general. I'm pretty keen to do this stuff myself, but this job specifically seems like a bit much to do on my own.

[andz327]

I'm in east end and I'll give you a shout Tuesday or Wednesday and have look if you want mucker
Ps
I can honestly say I've never heard that part called that name and I've been on the tools for 44yrs lol but i guess thats what they are called......never even seen it on parts listing's until i checked after you said

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[samc1992]

I'm in east end and I'll give you a shout Tuesday or Wednesday and have look if you want mucker
Ps
I can honestly say I've never heard that part called that name and I've been on the tools for 44yrs lol but i guess thats what they are called......never even seen it on parts listing's until i checked after you said

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That's really good of you to offer mate, I never expected anyone to dedicate that much time to it! If you're up for it that would be amazing, you'll be able to tell what it is in no time. I'll send you a PM.

[andz327]

Try get to you Thursday
PM'd you

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