What's this Noise? Clutch Related

[Prafeston]

My clutch has been slipping sometimes in first for awhile so I knew I needed to replace it. I have a kit waiting to be installed just haven't had the time, but recently it's started making a friction noise when in gear and it goes away when I engage the clutch.

Here is a short video of the noise.
http://youtu.be/5KFaukT7QFY

Could driving it like this be doing any other damage to anything? Hoping to replace the clutch this weekend, but really hoping it's not a transmission issue. Otherwise I might as well wait on the clutch until I can find a tranny too.

[blkfordsedan]

I can't play the video. However, if the noise is heard when idling in neutral, it's probably an input bearing or some other bearing in the transmission. When the clutch is engaged with the flywheel (pedal out), there shouldn't be any relative movement in the pilot bearing or throw out bearing. When you push the pedal down and disengage the clutch, the input shaft on the tranny will stop moving and the noise will stop (which is what you described).

[Prafeston]

There is no noise at idle. The noise is only in gear...when moving...with the clutch petal disengaged. With the clutch petal pushed down the noise goes away.

[blkfordsedan]

Sounds like a trans issue. Could the clutch be so worn that rivets are dragging?

[Prafeston]

If it were a brake or wheel bearing noise I wouldn't think it would stop by engaging the clutch petal..

[blkfordsedan]

Lol, I thought of that...so I edited my post!

[Prafeston]

The clutch could be very worn...car has over 220k miles and I have no idea if the clutch has ever been changed.

[blkfordsedan]

There is no noise at idle. The noise is only in gear...when moving...with the clutch petal disengaged. With the clutch petal pushed down the noise goes away.

Yeah, this does kinda sound like maybe just a clutch issue. I would think if it was in the trans, then it would be making noise when moving in gear, even with the clutch disengaged. Either way, it's gotta come out. I bet you'll know right away when you split it open. With that mileage, I would be tempted to put new bearings in the tranny as long as its out. I had mine rebuilt for $250 (parts AND labor) by a local transmission shop.

Then again, sometimes it's better to just leave things alone, lol. If you find an obvious problem in the clutch, it might be best to just leave the tranny alone and drive it until it gives a problem.