metal-on-metal noise when stepping on clutch

I have a 96 cherokee with the 4 cyl. About a week ago the a/c was turned on for the first time in about 2 years, ever since then when you push on the clutch there is a god-awful noise. It isn't the belt. I read on here that the bolts holding the motor to the tranny might be loose, the top two were kinnda loose. It has about 130,000 and it might be the origional clutch. Is it my throwout bearing?

That does indeed sound like a throwout bearing. I've found that if you don't rest your foot on the clutch pedal you'll get better life out of the throwout bearing. Only put your foot on the clutch when you're about to use it.

yea i agree it could be the pilot bearing also. i had the same problem in my yj and it turned out to be the pilot bearing.