help. crazy clutch/tranny problem

okay, a couple days ago i started noticing that sometimes when i put the clutch in, it would whistle a little bit, but would stop when the clutch was out. the other night, it was getting really noticeable and was a loud whistling/screeching noise everytime i got past the play in the clutch pedal and started pressing it in, if i would hold it in it would still screech. i was driving down this street and the clutch pedal started getting harder to press in. it felt less smooth and was just getting harder to put in, so i pulled over. i opened my hood and looked at the clutch fluid and it was a bit below the minimum line, but i doubt this could cause the problem. i turend the car back on, still pulled over, and when i put the clutch in all teh way, the car died. i turned it on again, and it was VERY hesitant to start, and when i would put the clutch in, the rpm's would drop and would almost die, and sometimes it did die. i took it home, having to shift fast and keep it in neutral at a stop be cause it would die on me if i held the clutch in. its sunday so i cant take it anywhere, im in school so i need to figure this out. i think im going to take it to my mechanic tomorrow, but does anybody know what this could be? i have no idea at all what the deal is. the clutch is about a year old and wasnt slipping or anything.

well the squelling noise is most likely your piolit bearing or possibly your throw out bearing, as for shifting hard and dieing, i havent the slightest idea

No pilot bearing on these cars. But it could be the throw out bearing. Was it replaced with the clutch swap?

i dont believe i got the throw out bearings replaced when i changed the clutch. they could be the cause of the car dying when i put the clutch in and making the squeeling noise?

Yes. This is why you should always change the TOB with the clutch. It's only 25-30 bucks and 3 minutes, vs having to drop the tranny all over again to change it :) It's difficult to diagnose things like this over the internet, but the TOB is where I would start.

what can i expect for the labor charge to get the TOB replaced

Since the tranny has to be dropped again, most places start at that at $250. Just for the drop. Then parts and labour. $70/hour+... Quite a lot.

Flat rate for a clutch is about 5 hours so figure about the same for just the tob, just find the shop with the cheapest rates, or if your knowledgable, do it yourself, it took me about 10 hours to drop a trans and rebuild it plus a new clutch and getting it running again

im 17 yrs old and havent really done that much to my car myself except basic stuff and some electronic and audio wiring. no transmission or engine drops or stuff like that. im pretty knowledgeable about cars especially mine and know all about it, i just dont have much hands on experience on working on it. do u suggest i try to do it myself or take it somewhere.

and if i take it somwehre which i probably will do, do you think i should go ahead and get a high perf. clutch put in or wait. my clutch isnt slipping yet but somteimes it does in first when i push it hard

Get the clucth too! You always want to do as much as possible when you got whatever pulled. Like when I did my exhaust, I did the whole thing; header, cat, sensors, everything! Same with the tranny; when I drop it, Im getting clutch flywheel, pressure plate, TOB... everything! It may cost more upfront, but in the end itll be cheaper than compared to doing it, or dropping it multiple times.

im 17 also, and you should do what you feel comfortable with, if you don think you can handle dropping the tranny then i would take it somewhere but if you do then i guess you will have more money to put into your car or whatever