my 98 neon r/t makes a sorta screeching noise when i press the clutch and a gear chatter noise when i let off, any ideas?

 

Could be tranny bearings, could be a pressure plate. Either way the trans needs to come off for proper inspection. When the last time it had the trans fluid changed?

 

if it was bearings woudnt the noise stop when the clutch is pressed? it drives smoth no vibration or anything, im not sure i bought the car last week for cheap and it drives great the sound is just annoying

 

Usually. Could just be a pedal or clutch fork that needs lubed, the gear chatter sound is possibly a throw out bearing. Usually when there is noise coming from the clutch/trans area I start by inspecting the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel clutch fork+ hardware, and throw out bearing. Neons don't have pilot bearings. But I have seen people stick them in.... If everything seems fine in the clutch, then I move onto a trans rebuild. Once its apart you can identify what bearings, gears, syncros, and so on that need replaced. Does the car make the noise when the car is shut off? If no then you have something thats rotating making the noise. IE: clutch, pressure plate, flywheel. bearings.
If yes then more then likely a sound in the linkage or pressure plate.

 

im gonna take a video of it and post it here, maybe that could help

 

 

I am sticking with my original post. Bearings or a messed up pressure plate. Sound like an input shaft bearing or a throw out bearing that is eating the fingers off the pressure plate.