Clutch shudders when not cold

Patronus · 09-17-2002, 12:05 AM

My car's clutch shudders a lot when taking off in 1st. I've checked all the treads about it, but it brings me no closer to the truth. The bowden cable is correctly positioned, the engine mountings are perfect, and the cable is in good condition. I've tried every conceivable cable tension setting, too.

The shudder is only vaguely noticible when the car is cold, but within a few minutes it becomes so bad that I can't use 1st. I plan to check the clutch out this weekend, but I would like to hear some opinions before then.

Is this a sign of a worn/damaged clutch? I mean, the fact that it becomes worse when the car is hot?

dickster · 09-17-2002, 12:35 AM

sounds like clutch plate is contaminated or something - don't know about hot/cold.

but if you've tried all external options sounds like its internal.

Jgordon · 09-17-2002, 06:45 AM

I get the same thing when the clutch is extremely hot -- as in stop and go traffic on a hot day. I'm at about 55K on a rubber-centered G50. My wrench and I are convinced the clutch is on its last legs, but we're milking it. I could see it getting more like your situation as it gets closer to death, so maybe you just need a clutch replacement. I'd order the kit now. This way when they open it up to check, if it needs replacing it's right there. Even if it doesn't, just keep the kit until you're ready.

Jared

Steve W · Steve W's Garage

Was your clutch worked on recently? It's possible the bolts holding down your pressure plate came loose.

Patronus · 09-17-2002, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the replies.

A friend of mine today came up with what sounds like a very probable explanation. He reckons the clutch plate was bent when I recently replaced the gearbox. Yes, my problem immediately started after fitting the new gearbox. And yes, come to think of it, I really found it difficult fitting the engine this time (unlike so many other times) and the clucth plate could have gotten bent in my efforts. It probably was off-centre when I put the engine back in, and that's why it was so difficult.

I will drop the engine tomorrow evening and I am going to have the clutch plate examined. Hopefully I will have an answer soon. I will keep you up to date.