I'm a new member to the forum and I recently bought my 02 WRX (w/ about 30K miles on it) just this past September. I have been experiencing clutch shudder during the morning only. I talked to my co-worker who owns an 02 WRX wagon and he's having the same problem too. Is there anyone out there experiencing the same thing and knows of a fix to the problem? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I have it too, its known to happen on all WRX's

I have heard the dealership has a fix for it, but from what I understand they put a heavier flywheel on to counter the shutter.

search the boards, Im sure you will find lots of posts on the subject.

 

Sti motor and trans mounts fixed mine. I was looking forward to getting a new clutch too.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I searched the Tranny forum and found others that have the same problem. There's actually a TSB out w/ the subject "Cold Clutch Judder" (that's the way they spelled it) and outlines the replacement steps to the problem. The only thing i'm a little worried about is that if a car has more than 30K miles, they aren't going to replace the flywheel. I made an appointment w/ Carlsen Subaru (I heard good things about them) and hopefully the problem will be fixed by Monday. I'll keep you guys posted on what they say.

 

Unless its really bad, you might be best of living with it. Mine shudders slightly in cold weather but only until it warms up. Several guys I know had the TSB carried out only to have the same problem re-appear.

 

I had it done, because the judder got so bad once (I was impatient and gassed it from a stop) that I almost tore a motor mount.

I had this done at only 22k miles, but you should be ok at 30k, since you're only 6k miles away from your warranty expiring.

I'm 50/50 about the new setup: It's not my favorite clutch feel (lighter spring feel, heavier flywheel weight, etc.), but I sure as hell hated the 'ole judder, and I think its a acceptable compromise.

With the old setup, when accelerating from a stop, without enough throttle, the car would rock back & fork sort of jerkily.

With the new setup, the car will lug a bit, and you will hear your rocker arms/lifters "knocking". Personally, I hate this part.

David

 

See if this helps maybe, because I would recommend these mods to all WRX owners.

 

Thanks for the info David. I stopped by GB Motorsports and talked to someone who had the STI motor and tranny mounts. It didn't fix his shuddering problem. I taking my car to Carlsen too. It turns out that a car w/ more than 30K miles, they don't replace the flywheel, just the clutch assembly (I've got a copy of the actual TSB saved on my computer). I figure it's worth a shot to just take the car in. Worst case scenario, the shuddering doesn't go away, but I got a new clutch.

 

Do you have synchro problems with your tranny?

Another reason why they use the heavier flywheel, is to keep the balky synchros from grinding when shifting, like from 1-2, 2-3, and 3-2 , 2-1 downshifts. This is another reason why I didn't mind the heavier flywheel.

But if you're not having that problem, this should work out great!

Do the STi engine & tranny mounts at the same time, if you can swing it, they are really worth it, IMHO. Plus, they have to remove your tranny, and this should save labor time/$$$.

 

Update on the shudder issue. Carlsen swithc the whole clutch assembly, but did not replace the flywheel. The shudder is gone, but I now have a weird noise, something similar to a power saw, when I engage first or reverse. The noise is only apparent when i engage the clutch without giving it a littel gas. The service rep at Carlsen suggested bringing it in after 400-500 miles if it doesn't go away. They will probably end up replacing the flywheel as well

 

Waddup Soren,

The original clutch & flywheel has a grooved surface, the new one is smooth.

They should have resurfaced the flywheel before changing the clutch.

Ask them if they resurfaced it or not...I bet they didn't.

Try slipping your clutch with some RPMs, bake off a little bit of the clutch (just a tad) and see how it is after that.

David

 

dude, WRXs get clutch shudder?

 

hence your title...

 

Wassup David,

That's the first thing I asked when I found out that they wouldn't be replacing the flywheel, (r u going to resurface the flywheel). According to them, SOA doesn't allow them to resurface the flywheel?! I know, pretty stupid because a used flywheel will never have a smooth surface.

-Soren

I'm going to try to slip the clutch today. I figure it's been more then 400 miles since I replaced the clutch so it should be broken in by now. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll have to get the heavier flywheel.