In a message dated 4/29/2003 12:30:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

> BUT, I have never encountered this noise - definitely a bearing-type roar.
> I would again suspect the TO bearing, but it does not do it all the time,
> and when the trans is in neutral, there is no noise, regardless or whether
> the clutch pedal is engaged or not - leading me to suspect something
> internal in the trans.... YET it is intermittent, which
> seems to rule out
> either, wouldn't you think???

Adam,
I recognise those symptoms.  I have had something almost identical with my BMW 3 series.   The throwout bearing did strange things and made a terrible racket, scraping, rattling etc.  Then it went quiet.
That is when it siezed solid and just slid over the pressure plate spring fingers.  It did this several times and sometimes pumping it seemed to help.  Thankfully I didnt wait too long to change it otherwise those spring ends would have worn completely through!   This may be your problem.

cheers,
Steve Cotsford
Columbia SC