Speaking of clutches, A little shuddering Options

[Chris H.]

I've noticed a moderate shudder when releasing the clutch ONLY when taking off from a stop. If I baby it I can prevent the shudder. Here's what I think:

1. Pressure plate slightly warped/in need of resurfacing

or

2. Motor/tranny mounts bad

What would you guys think generally? I know the mounts are easy to check, and I will do that tonight, just wondering if there might be another issue I am not thinking of. I don't really have any other symptoms of a bad clutch other than it needs to be adjusted. It seems to fully engage and I have no grinding at all.

Thanks,

Chris H.

[madd_dogg_914]

If your shifter is moving while accelerating in first (it would pull back towards the rear of the car) then it indeed is broken engine mounts. The really easy way to check this is:

Jack up the rear of the car and put jackstands on the donuts. get a peice of 2x4 and use the jack to jack up the motor just behind the engine mount bar (the 2x4 protects the oil sump pan). The engine should only move a little bit before it will actually start taking the whole car with it. If this is not the case and the engine just pulls away from the bar then BLAMMO, you got yourself some busted engine mounts. You can replace them yourself (hell I did it) with the engine in the car. You just gotta get used to your fingers doing some CRAZY stuff. The mounts themselves as I recall are fairly cheap only like $20/pair. Been a while, so I don't rightly remember, but I was poor and it wasn't a big deal at the time.

If that aint it, then I would guess the oil on the clutch disc, but only because that is what it was for me. Again, could be both

Good Luck!

-Chris