anyone heard of this noise?

[hitch]

Evening All,
Since owning it for the last year my BJ8 has had an annoying noise. Only when warmed up fully and reaching a max volume after 1-2 hours driving this occurs. A noise at about 2250 rpm upwards which seems to come from the clutch area and can only be described as a mixture between a reverberation and a rotational whirr. If you hold your foot lightly on the clutch pedal you can feel a matching cyclical vibration which matches the engine revs. Someone mentioned that it could be that the car was fitted at some time with a ball bearing release bearing which may have seized up. Does anyone concur with this or has anyone come across such a noise?
Thanks in advance, Mike

 

[Keoke]

HiMike, No I do not concur with the release bearing bit.However I think the faying surfaces between the Throwout bearing and the Clutch pressure plate have become maligned for some reason.Faulty manufacture of the pressure plate has been experienced which produces a similar result.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[hitch]

Thanks Keoke,
Last night I stripped out the gearbox tunnel ready for a look at the clutch and throwout bearing etc this weekend. I've got a workshop manual but are there any tips which you guys can give on how best to remove and inspect / replace the clutch. Thanks Mike