Clutch Shudder
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Any post about this subject is sure to generate some replies from people getting bent out of shape -- just a warning.
From my own experience, out of the seven manual-transmission cars I have owned, ALL had a stiff drivetrain on a cold morning. Tansmission fluid is a viscous substance, and like all liquids does not flow as well when it is chilled. Also, clutch plates themselves grip better when they are warm, just like tires do -- heat opens up the "pores" that give them surface area, and surface area = friction. With a clutch, friction = performance.
My 87' Volkswagen Rabbit used to refuse to go into third gear on cold mornings until I had driven it for 3-5 minutes. My Isuzu Trooper II also hated cold mornings, grinding like I had no timing gears left. Even my BMW 320i was a little stiff before I reached the end of the driveway.
Anyone who thinks this is unique to Subaru transmissions has a driveway that doesn't go all the way to the curb, if you grasp my meaning.
From my own experience, out of the seven manual-transmission cars I have owned, ALL had a stiff drivetrain on a cold morning. Tansmission fluid is a viscous substance, and like all liquids does not flow as well when it is chilled. Also, clutch plates themselves grip better when they are warm, just like tires do -- heat opens up the "pores" that give them surface area, and surface area = friction. With a clutch, friction = performance.
My 87' Volkswagen Rabbit used to refuse to go into third gear on cold mornings until I had driven it for 3-5 minutes. My Isuzu Trooper II also hated cold mornings, grinding like I had no timing gears left. Even my BMW 320i was a little stiff before I reached the end of the driveway.
Anyone who thinks this is unique to Subaru transmissions has a driveway that doesn't go all the way to the curb, if you grasp my meaning.
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23
From: From A Subie Dealer Near You
Car Info: The Dealer Specialist
Re: Clutch Shudder
Originally posted by baker77c
I am experiencing clutch shudder when the car is cold. My dealer said they had no complaints before. Did anyone else have this problem and how did you deal with it?
I am experiencing clutch shudder when the car is cold. My dealer said they had no complaints before. Did anyone else have this problem and how did you deal with it?
Second is, how long has it been shuddering? When did it start?
And, how many miles does it have?
Guest
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subaru issued a TSB about "clutch judder" -- check this thread:
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...=&threadid=8265
btw the main thing that is affected by low temperature is your synchromesh system, which is why the gears seem more likely to "grind into place" -- the tranny might feel slightly "sloppy" in the cold, but it shouldn't feel like it's shuddering just because of the clutch plate or gear oil
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...=&threadid=8265
btw the main thing that is affected by low temperature is your synchromesh system, which is why the gears seem more likely to "grind into place" -- the tranny might feel slightly "sloppy" in the cold, but it shouldn't feel like it's shuddering just because of the clutch plate or gear oil
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...&threadid=8265
here you go... if i remember correctly, they replace your flywheel too if you ride is under 30k miles...
here you go... if i remember correctly, they replace your flywheel too if you ride is under 30k miles...
Originally posted by baker77c
The link does not work.
The link does not work.
Guest
Posts: n/a
We had the same problem with our '03 TS wagon. I thought it was me, but after driving 3 different 5-speeds, I knew it wasn't just me. The dealership finally replaced the clutch as it was somehow faulty...?? It was only maybe 6 months old at the time.
Drives awesome now....
Sarah
Drives awesome now....
Sarah
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by baker77c
Subaru said they had a problem with the clutch so they replaced the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
Subaru said they had a problem with the clutch so they replaced the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Clutch Shudder
I have a 2000 OBS that started doing it around 30K. The dealership gave me the usual "We could not reproduce the problem." I can't remember how many times I went back. At 36K it got so bad I ended up replacing the clutch anyway. Also resurfaced the flywheel. Guess what? Still does it. (same with an RS my roomate had, and my brother's legacy outback.) I'm over it. Not that I don't love the cars, but I'm disappointed in Subaru. My lease is up next week, and I'm trying to get rid of this car. I'll probably get another OBS, only because my friend who used to be a Subee tech tells me they have those transmission problems wrapped up now. We shall see. At least the new one will be under warranty and I'll know what to look for. There are so many complaints about this out there...good luck.
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
Car Info: 2002 2.5 RS
Originally posted by baker77c
Subaru said they had a problem with the clutch so they replaced the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
Subaru said they had a problem with the clutch so they replaced the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
"My 1979 Yugo with a leaky transmission seal that spewed fluid all over the clutch and flywheel chattered even when it was 95F with 5% humidity, suck it up and be a man! Clutch chatter will give you some chest hairs and get you chicks, you pussie" cried the backyard mechanic!
A special very secret ricer driving technique is required to drive AWD clutches. Do you eat a lot of rice, baker-san?
If you want to find out what it is, you must go to a temple high in the mountains of Tibet.
There you will find monks who live where the driveway doesn't go all the way to the curb. They will teach you on many cold mornings over 3 winters or 36,000 miles which ever comes first.
Or your dealer could just replace the defective thing...
Congratulations. You're lucky your dealer was too stupid to know that chattering clutches are caused cold weather and you should have just lived with it.
Oh yeah, my first chattering clutch started on cold mornings at 12K miles. By 25K miles, it would chatter after 30 minutes of driving in SoCal summers going into 5th. I guess the "pores" wear broken.
Amazing, just freakin amazing. Now, I need to go bend my self back into shape.