Clutch Judder

[Simon]

Lately when I let my foot up off the clutch there is quite a lot of judder, not every time though. I have to put the pedal down and have another go at taking up the drive smoothly. There is no evidence of any slipping, just this thumping type of judder. I’ve an idea what it might be but would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks.

 

[GrahamC230K]

When I have had this on previous cars, it's new clutch time!

Your mileage?

 

[scotth_uk]

I think that you will find that the clutch materials are ok, however the rotational springs on the clutch plate that are meant to absorb the juder are shagged.

You'll have to drop the gearbox out to change these springs, and it will likely be cheaper just to replace the clutch plate as a unit. Have the pressure plate machined while it is out, too.

If you look carefully, there are places about that will build you a comfortable (light pressure) monster clutch for not a lot of money that will outlast the universe. Some of them will also illegally use asbestos based clutch materials, which are apparently much better.

I had a custom clutch built for my 200sx a few years back and the result was a comfortable clutch that would never overheat no matter how much you abused it at the quarter mile strip. ;-) Clamp pressure was over twice standard.

 

[Simon]

When I have had this on previous cars, it's new clutch time!

Your mileage?

About 90000

 

[jimmy]

To give you an idea of price for a clutch, there are three possible types that could have been fitted, they are all slightly different diameters. 210, 220 and 230mm depending on the engine number and gearbox number. Prices range from £69 to £200 for the kit that includes friction plate, pressure plate and release bearing.

Fitting times are quoted at 3.8 hours.

 

[GrahamC230K]

About 90000

Interesting, I went past 80K last month, so if 90K is clutch time, I had better start budgeting!


I guess we are both on the factory clutch still.

 

[Sp!ke]

133k here, still on original clutch. No Judder....

You guys have obviously been doing too much kangarooing

 

[GrahamC230K]

133k here, still on original clutch. No Judder....

You guys have obviously been doing too much kangarooing

Simon's racing starts. Amber and he's off!

 

[pammy]

Depends how much motorway as opposed to town driving you do too - and how often you hold on the clutch rather than use the handbrake but judder is usually associated with impending clutch replacement

 

[nickmann]

Lately when I let my foot up off the clutch there is quite a lot of judder, not every time though. I have to put the pedal down and have another go at taking up the drive smoothly. There is no evidence of any slipping, just this thumping type of judder. I’ve an idea what it might be but would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks.

It could potentially be an engine mount come loose or gone soft.

 

[Dieselman]

It could be due to a number of factors; oil contamination, pressure plate springs broken or weak, engine/gearbox mount, spigot bearing, engine mixture going too lean, sticking clutch release linkage, clutch sticking on splines.

Perform the simple clutch test of dumping the clutch in 4th gear to asses the wear.
Also note if the clutch weight has noticibly increased.

Typically you will find cars with a lower torque output wear clutches faster due to requiring greater slippage at pull away, to stop stalling.

You may find that a strip out and clean up fixes the problem, but if you're going to strip it then fit a new one anyway. The linkage though could well give bad judder.

 

[Simon]

Thanks for that.

Do MB make their own clutches or get them from somewhere else?

 

[Dieselman]

Probably Sach Boge or LUK.

Any quality brand will do.

 

[Simon]

Just so you know, it was an overfill of engine oil that found it's way onto the clutch plate. I took some oil out and after a couple of weeks things are back to normal.

Now I'm going to delete a thread I posted about a good oil + filter deal.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Just so you know, it was an overfill of engine oil that found it's way onto the clutch plate. I took some oil out and after a couple of weeks things are back to normal.

Now I'm going to delete a thread I posted about a good oil + filter deal.

Not "You can't get thicker than a Quick F...................."!

Glad it was so simple and cost free in the long run.