03 OZ throw out bearing / transmission issue
 

My 2003 Lancer OZ has about 155K miles on it.
I've never had any issues with her outside of one replaced brake
rotor. These cars are solid :)

That said, over the course of the last month I've been hearing a noise
that has been slowly getting worse. Its a rattling/grinding sound coming from the transmission area. I hear it whether moving or idle, unless I push in the clutch...then it quiets down. A friend of mine suggested it could be the throw out bearing. My clutch itself has never slipped or popped out, still goes strong.

My questions are:

1. Do you agree that the issue is likely the throw out bearing?
2. Can this be replaced without replacing the clutch?
3. Does it make sense to NOT replace the clutch at this point? ($$)
4. What should I expect to pay from a dealer/private shop for this service?
I asked a local garage for a price on replacing the clutch and they gave me $1300 for a SOHC 2.0 and $1600 for the DOHC 2.0. Unsure why one would cost more than the other...? Oh, and that seems pretty expensive, no?

Thanks !

Replace the clutch, master, and slave cylinders and get the flywheel resurfaced or replaced if it is too worn. Parts total will run about 700 dollars and labor anywhere in the same play field. Make sure that someones estimate includes everything I stated above or they are just blowing smoke.

Sounds like the throw out bearing.
It's connected to the slave cylinder, so you replace that too.

As stsated above, you should replace clutch, TOB, input shaft bearing, master cylinder and flywheel resurface.
It's time man.

And don't wait, it can mess your trans up bad.

How about the difference in price between a sohc and dohc? Arent they using the same transmission parts/clutch?

Thanks for the quick responses all, much appreciated.

Nope, different parts.
The Lancer 03 never came in a dohc version.

He's prob. talking about the difference between an Evo and Lancer.

Ahhh, ok. Thanks.

Same issue
 

I am having the same issue but in my case i have had the clutch replaced and the slave cylinder about 12 months ago. Would i have to replace everything again or just the throw out bearing?