Clutch Problems.. what does this sound like

DJCarbine · Aug 1, 2005

I have had severe clutch chatter ever since I installed my new clutch/pressureplate/tob. It feels as if the car is going to shake apart...

However, If I let it out without using gas, it engauges more or less smoothly, and only skips and chatters a little. If I engauge between 800-1500 RPm, the car feels like its going to fall apart. Above 2k rpm, it doesnt shudder much, and is for the most part smooth. As long as I am moving, there is no shaking or shuddering. Sometimes downshifting into second causes a brief moment of severe chatter, only if I dont rev match or let it out really fast.

Does this sound like I need a new flywheel/resurfacing? I didnt change the flywheel, because it looked to be in perfect shape, but I think I am now regrretting it. The clutch is a Zoom clutch kit, 3 finger design. It cost around 130 at Mustangs Unlimited, and is the OEM replacement.

Does anyone have an Idea where to look first? Could this be a pressure plate problem, or more of a flywheel issue

Also.. I have tried driving the car every day, and I had done so for the past 100 miles. The problem is not getting any better, and it is actually very difficult to drive the car. I thought maybe it just needed time to seat.

TOM B · Aug 1, 2005

First does the car DRIFT when you have the clutch pushed in. DID you put in a metalic disc or a fiber disk, metalics do jump around because they grab instantly. Are your engine and TRANY mounts torn!!! If not then it is caused by the clutch disc grabing the pressure plate or input shaft and returning the force to your pedal. On a new clutch assembly I had this happen a few times. Its a good idea to get the flywheel turned every time you install a clutch, then theres no second guessing. If the flywheel looked good then try this, Did you put a little greese on the input shaft when you installed the clutch, The disk might be getting stuck on the shaft if you didnt. I know most people say not to but out in the real world not everything is new. The flywheel might not be as good as you thought so you must match all three for a tighten fit. To do this you will have to "burn in the set". Yep, ride the clutch hard till you smell clutch. it wont ruin your clutch, it will just seat it to the flywheel.
Then try it.

DJCarbine · Aug 1, 2005

Car drifts, clutch disengages fine, everything is fine... the only thing wrong is the shuddering. The disc is a regular organic, not any special metallic disc. So keep riding it hard, and it will burn in? I thought that was bad when you let a new clutch slip like that

TOM B · Aug 1, 2005

Doing this once or twice wont knock it out, it will just match the surfaces, Maybe I was to harsh when I said ride it hard. yes it will wear the clutch disc a little, very little, Think of it like starting out on a steep hill and riding the clutch to get you rolling without drifting back. but dont let it chatter and rock the car, this might cause clutch or drive line damage. O yea, one more thought just came to me, you did buy a clutch disc with "dampener springs" and not the cheep ones.

DJCarbine · Aug 1, 2005

Yes, It has dampener springs on it, but I have ridden the clutch and let it slip at like 2k rpm just to get it moving several times, I guess I will try a few more times and see if it improves any.

And the driveline damage comment... I already killed a set of Ujoints.. I think they were defective from the shop though

TOM B · Aug 1, 2005

If this dont work it might be a bad pressure plate but this is rare, or it was till out-sourcing started.
try not to use advance auto parts U joints or and of those cheap discount parts houses, if you have a NAPA near you they make strong U joints.

2nd Mustang · Aug 1, 2005

Don't feel bad, I've gone through two clutches in 3 years, and that's just driving the car approximately 2-3 days per week. Next clutch change will be done by me, if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself!

DrStang · Aug 1, 2005

Very often the shudder comes from the lousy motor mounts on the early Stangs. Believe it or not many cases of shuddering have been fixed with a change in motor mounts or a quick fix is an engine torque strap. There's an article at Fordmuscle.com in the tech section.

DJCarbine · Aug 1, 2005

Its just very strange that it never did this with the old clutch, even when I drove it really hard. I will have someone in the car let the clutch out slowly while I look under the hood (from a distance) and maybe I will be able to see some extreme engine movement.

Clutch Problems.. what does this sound like

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