convexion

Hello all. I'm having a very strange problem that I can't seem to find an answer for anywhere else on the forum. When I press in the clutch pedal I'm getting a very muffled squeeling noise. It's so muffled that I can barely hear it with the A/C on. At first I though it might be a belt, but it sounds more like it's coming from the transmission.

Does this sound like a pilot bearing problem? I have an 02 so I don't think I need to worry about a throw out bearing. Is this correct?