Clutch 'Clicks' when pressed half way

[jmgtp]

Last month I began replacing the clutch in my beretta... a three week period passed that I didn't work on it at all and now I have resumed. The clutch is installed and the trans bolted back to the block - it is mostly finished. It took a long time to bleed the clutch hydrolics but they are ok now. The problem is that when I press the clutch pedal, at about half way in its travel, I hear a click and can feel it in the pedal just a bit. This is with the engine off, I have yet to start it up with the new clutch. This click has me kinda worried. Sounds like it is coming from inside the trans case. The only thing I can think of is that the TO bearing isn't seated in the fork correctly. Any other ideas? If it is the TO bearing is unseated am I doomed to remove the trans again to re-seat it?

-john

EDIT: Upon repeated pressing and release of the clutch pedal I noticed that all 'feeling' in the clutch pedal has ceased. The pedal feels normal. The sound remains. If I press the pedal slowly (about the speed that you would under normal shifting conditions) it does NOT make the sound. Anything faster than that and the sound is there. I don't want to think its the TO bearing anymore but I don't know what else to blame. Perhaps its one of the spring teeth? Or part of the release mechanism in the pressure plate? I'm thinking of throwing it all together and taking it for a drive but it would suck if it turns out I have to pull the trans again after I get it all back together. As of right now I don't want to have to pull the trans again but it would be a lot less work then if it was 100% together.

[RednBlack]

If you can get to it, pull the clutch fork boot away and take a peek as someone presses the clutch pedal. May have to use a mirror and flashlight. Also, did you grease the trans snout before installing the TO Bearing?

[jmgtp]

My 282 doesn't have that boot that lets you see the fork (my 284 does). I greased the input shaft lightly with white lithium grease.

[RednBlack]

That is a quandry. (word of the day), does sound like the TO bearing though. Either not seated or kinking somehow. There is another scenario. If you left your slave cylinder dry for any length of time it may need a rebuild. Take the fluid out and expose to air and they rust fast. Could be a kink in there. Put your hand on it while a buddy presses the clutch. The piston sounds like it may have a "kinky " place.

[jmgtp]

Nah.. the slave was never disconnected from the rest of the hydrolic system it was just at full extend for about a month and needed to be bled. Anyways, I bottomed the slave by hand and put all my weight on it - had someone gently press the clutch and it lifted me about an inch or without the noise. I think it is either the TO bearing or the mechanism in the pressure plate.

[RednBlack]

Got a stethescope? (My favorite tool) There are cheap ones. Then you can isolate it. May not need a teardown.

[jmgtp]

Ya I do... but like I said, its coming from INSIDE the bellhousing - which isn't too diagnosable without having it apart.