The stock juddering/shuddering/chattering clutch was replaced at around 25K miles under warranty.

The replacement clutch has around 10K miles on it and is starting to chatter when cold. It's progressively getting worse.

By the time it becomes significantly noticeable, cold/hot, the 36K mile warranty should be up.

SUBARU clutch = ****

(This replacement clutch actually shudders in reverse, too! The original one didn't even do that.)

ACT or EXEDY or COBB + boat loads of cash for installation on a car with less than 40K miles on the odometer.

 

Why is it that a Honda with a stock clutch can sit overnite sitting in 8 inches of fresh snow at an altitude of 8500 feet and engage/work in the morning without a hint of shudder/judder/chatter?

$25 snow cables fixes not having AWD and provides better braking.

[sarcasm]I'm heading to Tahoe for the week and I'm really looking forward to a week worth of cold clutch judder.[/sarcasm]

Stupid clutch. Why does Subaru ruin such a great car with a lame/retarded clutch. What a PITA to baby the clutch like it's some puzzle.

Anyone who thinks that this faulty clutch issue is conjured up by people who abuse their cars has their head up their rectum. I will swear on the grave of all my ancestors that my car is never abused.

Subaru... not so great after all.

"Driven by who's PISSED inside"

 

Yeah, the clutch does shudder jerk on mine too (03 WRX)..... but I figured out how to avoid it by changing my clutch release technique. I've driven a Lancer Evo and it happens on that car too (at times).... may be its a thing common to AWD cars??? who knows... Anyways, not to be a ***** but the guy who posted above is right, you do need to relearn how to release your clutch (unlike FWD and RWD cars, the WRX is very unforgiving on the release style)

 

Subaru clutches are junk. How are you getting the clutch changed under warranty?? My local dealership ( SUCKS D!CK) by the way, told me that the warranty is only good for 12k maybe they were lying. (not suprising) Hence the username.
I bought the ACT street clutch and changed it my self, it took forever I asked a subaru mechanic if there was anything specific to Subarus that I should know. Good thing I asked b/c in case any of you attempt this there is a recessed bolt on the drivers side of the trans case toward the front right next to the starter, you have to remove that bolt and thread in another bolt into a pin inside the case, (yes it is tricky the first time but you'll figure it out) then pull the pin out. The pin actually holds the shift fork in place and also connects the engine to transmission without knowing this you could be there forever trying to pry it apart. Hope this info is helpfull to someone if you need an explanation PM or email I have done this three times!! Not much but if you have done it once you know what you're doing. It took about five or six hours to do but well worth it. It brings you closer to your baby and it saves you money. Good luck!!

I agree " Subaru driven by those pissed inside"

 

Once you get clutch shudder, it's like brake vibration- it gets worse until you fix it. If you got the TSB parts and you have even mild shudder, they need to replace them again, and this time do it right. Shudder can be induced by improperly installing the flywheel and pressure paltes. They are balanced and need to be properly aligned. Also, check your work order against the part numbers listed in the TSB and make sure you got the right ones, including the flywheel (that's the most important part, as that is what actually causes the shudder).

 

mine chatters in cold weather and humid conditions. i am also on my second warranty replacement clutch... i hate this so much. it makes the car so unpleasant to drive, especially after having the chance to drive an sti under similar conditions and not having any problems at all

 

Sorry to hear that happened to you... I do think they (your dealership) were lying to you though.... because I believe the clutch is covered under the powertrain warranty, if not at least the 36K warranty. Infact I know that the local dealerships have replaced clutches for some WRX owners here in Omaha under warranty, who had 20K + miles. But the dealership made them sign an agreement that stated if it were to happened again they were SOL. I think you were bamboozled by your dealership .... if you want to persue it, consult a lawyer .... I personally think they owe you for not fixing it .... On the other hand I have done some hard launches on mine and my clutch is fine, I currently have 15K miles on mine =)

 

sometimes intentionally burning the clutch a bit with some quick, hard launches reduces the problem. don't heat it until it slips uncontrollably, but get it good and hot and smelly.

jm2c
ken

 

Any of you who think the WRX's clutch is tough to deal with has never driven a late 70s-early 80s era Porsche 911 or anything British and sporty (Triumph or MG comes to mind). The WRX is touchy to drive in comparison to many cars, but that is the natural price you pay for precision and power. Perhaps you were trained on sloppy American clutches, or this is a first-time manual; the WRX is an exceptionally poor "learners car" in more ways than one. In any case, the "clutch shudder" (as noted above) is caused by a misaligned or lopsided flywheel, and is most likely caused by bad launches and a tendency (by many people, including myself until I trained myself out of it) to release too fast from 2nd gear. If you feel the SLIGHTEST "hitch" of any kind on your clutch release, you are releasing too fast and in the long run causing premature damage to a clutch.

In any case, I can understand going through a clutch in the first 12,000 miles and blaming it on a faulty design, but going through the SECOND one, you've got to turn your attention to the habits of the driver.

 

I had my clutch replaced for shudder at ~20K miles. The new parts started exhibiting similar, but not the same symptons after about 8K miles. The "fix" was the same for both - after the car is fully warmed up, do one or two slip clutch launches. In my car this makes the shudder go away for a number of weeks, plus it's kind of fun. The shudder hasn't become worse - I'm at 40K miles now, and it is something that I can easily deal with. The way I look at it is that Subaru replaced my clutch once at 20K and it is "better" but not "perfect". I don't mind upgrading the clutch once this free one wears out. We will see when that happens.

"$25 snow cables fixes not having AWD and provides better braking."

nope, sorry. That's a total load of crap. I drove a Civic for three years and chained up many times. First of all, it's a PITA to install and remove traction devices - spikes spiders are an exception. You are limited on speed if you happen to find yourself on dry road. The ride quality with cables on is just short of torture. You run the risk of busting a cable and toasting your CV boots. If you step the tail out you don't have near the controlled oversteer that an AWD car provides. You may get better braking or you may not, depending on the tires you're running.
I'll gladly deal with a little shudder in order to have the rewarding driving experience of a WRX. Comparing it to the appliance like character of Honda Civic or Accord is just silly imho.