Shake shake shake.......ahhhh =(

[Yellwstang21]

Ok heres the deal.....

My car shudders upon take off at the line. Shudder disappears when driving and shifting once the car is actually moving. I was first told it was my springs and such. Which I had replaced just a couple weeks ago. Then it kept doing it. I took it down to Western Differential to have the rearend and posi/locker checked out that they installed because thats basically around the time it started. Well it turns out i needed to have my driveshaft cut and balanced AGAIN (3rd time.... damn t-5) because it was a tick too long and apparently he didnt cut it right the first time....which he wont take blame for

Anyways now he says the its not the rearend or driveshaft and that he is almost 100% sure its my pressure plate. It now has a hot spot or spots (which i guess ive been told, is a direct result of the driveshaft being too long... ) So I guess to make a long story short.... does this sound right.... and since Im goin to have to probably replace my pressure plate as well as clutch and flywheel. What are some recommendations as to which brand/kit and such to get.

Car is '65 v-8 with a t-5 conversion. Engine at this point is still only slighty modified while Im saving to buy parts for a new one....

Once again help/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[coolblue65]

I hate to say this but it seems the people you have been dealing with are screwing you over! Shuddering off the line is a fairly common problem with old cars, often referred to as clutch chatter. It is a result of hot spots that over time causes the flywheel to wear unevenly leaving 'bumps' which gives you the chatter. It would have nothing to do with your springs, your posi, or your driveshaft.

I said you are getting screwed because any reputable mechanic after driving the car should be able to feel and diagnose that immediately. I hope you haven't been paying this guy.

 

[2nd Mustang]

I would have to agree with the above post. Chattering is usually clutch related.

I just replaced my clutch with a Centerforce II. The shop that did the work told me it would chatter during the initial break in, and they were right, although the chatter was not as bad as the old clutch was. It shifts smoothly and locks up really well now.

 

[rbohm]

the problem you have is clutch chatter caused by;

1: bad pressure plate/disc

2: bad flywheel friction surface

3: bad engine/transmission mounts

4: bad clutch linkage

5: poor clutch adjustment

6: poor driving technique

7: poor trans/bellhousing alignment

for a replacement clutch, check out centerforce

 

[iskwezm]

I had the same problem with mine, mainly from the clutch ass. It was a Centerforce DF, i know poeple will say its the best thing since sliced bread, but it didnt work for me. I pulled the trans 3 times in a week and finally took the whole assmebly to Mcleod and they were nice enough to check everything and said it was fine.I told them to sell me a clutch, and they were hesitent because they didnt find a problem. Well the new street/strip clutch got rid of the shudder.

Just make sure to resurface the fly wheel and put a clutch anyway,replace the T.O.B. and pilot bearing/bushing

 

[dennis112]

It now has a hot spot or spots (which i guess ive been told, is a direct result of the driveshaft being too long... )

Hot spots aren't caused by the driveshaft so forget that.

The advice being given by the above posters is accurate. The problem has to do with the flywheel or the clutch assembly. Hot spots on the flywheel or the pressure plate are the most common cause. The flywheel "might" be able to be resurfaced, depending on how much hot it might have gotten OR you might need to replace it. Expect to replace the clutch assembly.

Once everything is put back together, be sure that the clutch is properly adjusted and that there is no excess slack in your clutch actuating parts (pedal/cable/linkage.)

 

[2nd Mustang]

Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention. The previous resurfacing of the flywheel looked like it was done with a handfile, literally. It wasn't smooth at all.