Clutch Shudder Warranty
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 39
From: PA
Interesting note, as you're the first OBS owner I've read about getting the warranty work performed.
I want to mention one quick thing. I got to sit and drive an 03 WRX today, and it feels identical to my car. The pedal feel felt identical, so I think I probably just got used to my slightly lighter-pedal feel. And driving his car, felt EXACTLY like mine. I would argue that Subaru's are definitely towards the "more difficult to drive smoothly" spectrum, and the WRX is no different. But the way it is now (for me) is NO comparison to the way it "once was."
I want to mention one quick thing. I got to sit and drive an 03 WRX today, and it feels identical to my car. The pedal feel felt identical, so I think I probably just got used to my slightly lighter-pedal feel. And driving his car, felt EXACTLY like mine. I would argue that Subaru's are definitely towards the "more difficult to drive smoothly" spectrum, and the WRX is no different. But the way it is now (for me) is NO comparison to the way it "once was."
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Posts: n/a
DriftinS,
The names are just a coincidence as I have never played that game.
CirrusWRX,
While my last clutch took 15-20K miles to develop the "cold chatter" prob, this current "shudder" problem was apparent right from the git-go! Oddly enough, if I get out on a curvy road and do a lot of up and down shifting, and then return to normal "town" driving, the clutch works beautifully for the first few starts from a "dead stop". Apparently, once it has cooled down, it reverts to the "shudder" problem
The only way I've found to get a smooth start, most of the time, is to completely engage the clutch before applying any gas. Of course, this can only be done on a flat surface, and it must be done extremely smoothly or the engin stalls, making me look like I've been driving for 5 days instead of 50 yrs
The names are just a coincidence as I have never played that game.
CirrusWRX,
While my last clutch took 15-20K miles to develop the "cold chatter" prob, this current "shudder" problem was apparent right from the git-go! Oddly enough, if I get out on a curvy road and do a lot of up and down shifting, and then return to normal "town" driving, the clutch works beautifully for the first few starts from a "dead stop". Apparently, once it has cooled down, it reverts to the "shudder" problem
The only way I've found to get a smooth start, most of the time, is to completely engage the clutch before applying any gas. Of course, this can only be done on a flat surface, and it must be done extremely smoothly or the engin stalls, making me look like I've been driving for 5 days instead of 50 yrs
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24
From: New Jersey
Car Info: 2002 Subaru WRX
Clutch Shudder Problems with Subaru WRX
Ok people.. I had this clutch problem.. the shuddering in the morning, the deceleration noise, etc.. This probably started around say 10,000 miles.
After three visits to the selling dealer (Bill Kolb Subaru, Orangeburg, NY) they did nothing and said it was normal. I then went to Liberty Subaru (Oradell, NJ) and they said that the clutch was bad. They replaced the clutch, pressure plate, bearing, and bolts. Problems were gone! This was around 14,500 miles.
Since that time, and it wasn't that long ago (i drive alot) I saw the following story in the nov 2002 issue of road and track magazine:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1
Here's an quote from the article:
"...nothing but smooth sailing up to the recently completed 14,000-mile mark. That's when we started to notice a slightly grabby clutch. "The clutch has begun to chatter during engagement," wrote one editor, "and does so rather violently when the engine is cold. When the engine is warm, the chatter goes away."
It's now at about 30,000 miles and the shuddering is coming back! I do not notice any decel noise but I'm sure that will be along too.
I mentioned the article and the research I have done online to the dealership and they said.. "maybe it's normal then"
I have an appointment for this friday for them to look at the car, but I'm not very optimistic. Oh I e-mailed SOA and they can't do anything but tell me to goto a dealership.
I am considering selling the car or getting an aftermarket clutch. Maybe I can back-bill SOA for the work.
After three visits to the selling dealer (Bill Kolb Subaru, Orangeburg, NY) they did nothing and said it was normal. I then went to Liberty Subaru (Oradell, NJ) and they said that the clutch was bad. They replaced the clutch, pressure plate, bearing, and bolts. Problems were gone! This was around 14,500 miles.
Since that time, and it wasn't that long ago (i drive alot) I saw the following story in the nov 2002 issue of road and track magazine:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1
Here's an quote from the article:
"...nothing but smooth sailing up to the recently completed 14,000-mile mark. That's when we started to notice a slightly grabby clutch. "The clutch has begun to chatter during engagement," wrote one editor, "and does so rather violently when the engine is cold. When the engine is warm, the chatter goes away."
It's now at about 30,000 miles and the shuddering is coming back!
I do not notice any decel noise but I'm sure that will be along too.I mentioned the article and the research I have done online to the dealership and they said.. "maybe it's normal then"
I have an appointment for this friday for them to look at the car, but I'm not very optimistic. Oh I e-mailed SOA and they can't do anything but tell me to goto a dealership.
I am considering selling the car or getting an aftermarket clutch. Maybe I can back-bill SOA for the work.
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iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Philtronix-
I would go back to the dealer that replaced your clutch before- it was admirable of them to do it under warranty before the TSB. Check your invoice if you have it, because it sounds like you got the same parts that were there before, just new ones. The TSB parts are new part numbers. So whether they really eliminate the shudder or not, you're entitled to a new clutch under warranty.
I would go back to the dealer that replaced your clutch before- it was admirable of them to do it under warranty before the TSB. Check your invoice if you have it, because it sounds like you got the same parts that were there before, just new ones. The TSB parts are new part numbers. So whether they really eliminate the shudder or not, you're entitled to a new clutch under warranty.
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Philtronix,
I agree with BAN SUVS. The dealer that replaced my clutch received the SB on the clutch problem within the past month. The new replacement assembly is suppose to be an updated system which includes the flywheel as well as the complete clutch assembly. It's worth a try. If you can't get a local dealer to cooperate, contact SoA for help.
I've been told by my dealer that the results with the new clutch assembly have been mixed: some have had no further problems, thus far, and some have had experiences similar to mine.
Like you, I'm frustrated enough to trade the car in, but it is really costly
I agree with BAN SUVS. The dealer that replaced my clutch received the SB on the clutch problem within the past month. The new replacement assembly is suppose to be an updated system which includes the flywheel as well as the complete clutch assembly. It's worth a try. If you can't get a local dealer to cooperate, contact SoA for help.
I've been told by my dealer that the results with the new clutch assembly have been mixed: some have had no further problems, thus far, and some have had experiences similar to mine.
Like you, I'm frustrated enough to trade the car in, but it is really costly
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24
From: New Jersey
Car Info: 2002 Subaru WRX
TSB on Clutch Issue
Hey guys,
Thanks for the info.. I'm not sure if this was covered but does anyone here have access to this TSB or is it a dealer only thing. Can I get a copy?
Also, I have the receipt and it shows the parts they replaced:
8/7/2002 14,658 miles
Qty-PartNumber-Description
1-30100aa791-Disc CP Clut
1-30210aa530-Cover CP Clut
1-30502aa080-Brg Clutch R
1-12342aa050-Fly Whl Ay F
8-800610740-Pt190301-Bol
I made an appointment for this friday at the dealership that replaced the clutch before. I may try and drop it off the night before, because as some of you know, the problem seems to only show itself after the car sits overnight. The longer it sits without driving, the easier it may be to show the dealer the problem...
=Phil
PS. Did you guys think that article was interesting?.. Has someone mentioned that before?
Thanks for the info.. I'm not sure if this was covered but does anyone here have access to this TSB or is it a dealer only thing. Can I get a copy?
Also, I have the receipt and it shows the parts they replaced:
8/7/2002 14,658 miles
Qty-PartNumber-Description
1-30100aa791-Disc CP Clut
1-30210aa530-Cover CP Clut
1-30502aa080-Brg Clutch R
1-12342aa050-Fly Whl Ay F
8-800610740-Pt190301-Bol
I made an appointment for this friday at the dealership that replaced the clutch before. I may try and drop it off the night before, because as some of you know, the problem seems to only show itself after the car sits overnight. The longer it sits without driving, the easier it may be to show the dealer the problem...
=Phil
PS. Did you guys think that article was interesting?.. Has someone mentioned that before?
Last edited by Philtronix; Mar 26, 2003 at 04:00 AM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Philtronix,
Interesting article; perhaps that kind of exposure is what is needed to get SOA to do something to solve this problem.
BTW, your replacement part numbers are not those of the "updated clutch assembly":
1-Flywheel: 12342AA061
1-Cover CP: 30210AA590
1-Disk CP: 30100AA850
6-Bolt/Wash:800508310
PS: These numbers are for an OBS. I don't know it they'd be the same for a WRX.
Interesting article; perhaps that kind of exposure is what is needed to get SOA to do something to solve this problem.
BTW, your replacement part numbers are not those of the "updated clutch assembly":
1-Flywheel: 12342AA061
1-Cover CP: 30210AA590
1-Disk CP: 30100AA850
6-Bolt/Wash:800508310
PS: These numbers are for an OBS. I don't know it they'd be the same for a WRX.
Last edited by voodoo; Mar 26, 2003 at 01:37 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 51
From: NJ
Car Info: Silver 2002 WRX
I also got parts that were different than the ones listed on the TSB. When I called and asked about this, they said it was the heavier duty clutch. If it, the clutch shudder, happens again, I will have them do it over again.
Hopefullt, that won't happen.
Hopefullt, that won't happen.
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,461
From: "It will take time to restore chaos." GWB
Car Info: 72 Vespa with curb feelers
Well, I recently had mine updated. Amazingly, the decel noise has mysteriously been reduced even though mine was supposedly not said to have the vin# for needing the decel-noise fix.
It feels smooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth now =0
It feels smooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth now =0
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 51
From: NJ
Car Info: Silver 2002 WRX
HellaDumb: What is the deceleration noise you are talking about?? The noise when you do not have your foot on the gas and are slowing down but do not have the clutch pressed in???
I have that noise, and it seems to be louder after I had the clutch replaced. Any ideas???
I have that noise, and it seems to be louder after I had the clutch replaced. Any ideas???
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 229
From: Pismo Beach, CA
Car Info: 02 WRX, 06 A3
Hey Dougz,
Can you post your part numbers from your "heavier duty" clutch. My clutch that was replaced by the dealer is VERY stiff, so im just wondering if you got the same parts.
Thanks man
Can you post your part numbers from your "heavier duty" clutch. My clutch that was replaced by the dealer is VERY stiff, so im just wondering if you got the same parts.
Thanks man
