So my '96 Impreza Outback has a slight squeaking at idle, and while running in general, sometimes it just goes away. it sounds like it is coming from the back of the engine, right in the bell housing almost. when I put slight pressure on the clutch fork it goes away, likewise when I push the clutch pedal in it also goes away. I'm 99% sure it is the throwout bearing, it would make sense really, but I really don't want to take everything apart just to replaced the bearing, then put it back together. If I was doing that I would replace the clutch, but then again money is tight, and the clutch only has about 25k on it as well, and is still working great. what would you guys do? Just hoping I can buy a little time to save up some money for a new clutch. 

Was the throwout bearing replaced when the clutch was done?

positively a bearing noise?

 

might need a sleeve kit?

The clutch fork pivot needs to be lubed. When the lube hardens up, it will cause it to go metal to metal and cause a chirp at idle without any clutch input. Requires removal of the engine or transmission. I always replace the 3 clips that hold the fork to the pivot ball and the fork to the throw out bearing.

I am uncertain if the bearing was replaced, I bought the car as a semi running vehicle. the previous owner had dumped some serious cash into it, struts, brakes, clutch, then it needed a hub, and needed all the oil leaks fixed. So he got rid of it, I got a few receipts from him, but nothing about parts that where charged out for the clutch.

 

What do you mean by a sleeve kit, it basically sounds like a dry bearing noise.  like a chirping/squeaking noise, but it is constant.

 

That would make sense, about the pivot that is, I'm pretty sure that was probably never replaced during the clutch replacement. So I guess I'll start looking for a clutch, I really like the sounds of the Exedy Stage One, but I'm not a fan on the price. I keep hearing success stories about some Ebay clutches. Something like a Stage 3/4 clutch is similar to a stage 2, IDK, but I like the price. 

Get yourself an Exedy 15010 clutch kit, have the flywheel resurfaced, replace the fork and the 3 clips, check the snout that the throw out bearing rides on for major wear, install a sleeve kit if nessessary, replace the baffle with a metal one if it hasn't been done yet, check the rear main and the rear wrist pin access plate for any leaks.

Does the release fork have a return spring on it? Or does it have the hill holder?

If the release bearing is resting against the pressure plate it can squeak as it spins. The hill holder spring pulls the release fork forward slightly which pulls the bearing away from the pressure plate.