Shaky clutch

jsnake · **Shaky clutch**

I had a clutch put in. Just to upgrade because I plan on adding a blower in the future. The clutch shakes the car when I try to let it out slowly. It gets worse the warmer the car gets. When it's cold it doesn't do it. The clutch is a HP series Ram or Zoom clutch. The guy that put the clutch in says that this clutch is acting normal. He says since this is a agressive clutch it's made to grip all at once and not slip like a stock clutch.
Can anybody tell me if there is any truth to this.

**MonteCitan** · **Re: Shaky clutch**

Did you do anything with the flywheel? If it jitters/shakes it might be the flywheel -> I have a centerforce dual friction, and it doesn't shudder/shake even though it is like an on/off switch...

jsnake · **Re: Shaky clutch**

He said that he resurfaces all of the flywheels he installs a clutch on. I finally got him to agree to take it apart and look at it. But he says if he doesn't see anything wrong with it. I will have to pay him for it. It shakes so bad sometimes I have to0 push the clutch back in and strt over.

**SpectorV** · **Re: Shaky clutch**

chances are its the install, if the flywheel, pressure plate, etc are not put in with the CORRECT torque specs and done in the right order such things can happen, if this isnt it then its just a bad clutch or some other failed component. Its always good to change the pilot bearing and bearing retainer sleeve while you are doing a clutch install.

did he check the driveshaft end play, was it in spec? etc etc there are many things and you probably wont be able to find out without tearing it back down...

if the car shakes and does not drive right it is NOT DONE CORRECTLY. You can of course not prove this as you dont have proof of how it drove before... unless you took video and had him drive it and video it and have it in writing so basically... its a very long drawn out legal battle... basically what he is telling you is... he will tear it down, he will then find "nothing" and he will then charge you for his time.

You can skip the hell if they try to BS you and just get a lawyer to send them a letter. If you dont feel confident in the shop you can just get them to give you the labor fee back and suck up the chances that you might have to buy yet another clutch (maybe not if its not old just a chance) and take it to a better place.

jsnake · **Re: Shaky clutch**

I'm talking to my laywer Friday,it just so happens. About another shop I took it to. If you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I was a mechanic for 18 years and just didn't want to get under the car.
I have replaced the motor mounts and the rear end links trying to eliminate the shutter. By the way the motor mounts were tore to pieces. Now both mufflers are cracking on the Bissani exhaust I put on.

Thomas91169 · **Re: Shaky clutch**


Quote: Originally Posted by jsnake The clutch is a HP series Ram or Zoom clutch. The guy that put the clutch in says that this clutch is acting normal. He says since this is a agressive clutch it's made to grip all at once and not slip like a stock clutch. Can anybody tell me if there is any truth to this.

Yes, there is. It is called "Chatter" and basically what youre feeling is the clutch "Skipping" over the flywheel on engagement. Whats the rating on the pressure plate?

heres some more info
Enjoy The Drive -- Clutch Troubleshooting


Quote: What could cause clutch chatter? Chatter is when the car shudders as the clutch is being engaged. Possible [causes] may be as follows: 1. Flywheel has excessive run-out. 2. Flywheel was not resurfaced or improperly resurfaced before the new clutch was installed. 3. Damaged or excessively worn CV joints. 4. Bad U-joints in driveshaft or U-joints misaligned. 5. Excessive backlash in differential. 6. Excessive driveline angle. 7. Bad leaf springs, bushings or mounts. 8. The use of an aggressive clutch disc designed for racing. 9. Defective pressure plate and/or disc. 10. Disc has inadequate marcel (not enough cushion between the friction facing). 11. Oil or grease contamination on clutch facings. 12. Worn or damaged clutch linkage. 13. Bent pressure plate assembly and/or disc. 14. Improperly tuned engine. 15. Worn or damaged engine mounts or transmission mounts.

#8 is the one that pops out at me.

We just did a clutch install on my buddies 06 WRX and since the aftermarket for those are still so limited, you either get a stock replacement, or wait 4 months for the only vendor who makes better clutches to finally get to your order. the clutch he got is the same they use on their drag wrx, so its a very heavy duty piece. His also chatters on an easy takeoff, because its not meant for that kind of driving, its meant to be abused.

btw mine (02 GT) also chatters in the morning on the first few easy takeoffs, but im starting to think its an aftermarket one as well, ive abused the piss out of the clutch, and it still holds, its the tob thats getting to me (makes a squeal even when the car is in gear and moving). but after driving my car and then the cobra, unless they use different clutches (which i hear no, as the GT clutch kit is the same as a 03/04 for a T56 according to that one site that sells the T56 kits) than the GT's is definately different in terms of engagement, cause the cobra's was easy as pie and the guy was original owner and said ford replaced the clutch at 30k with a stocker.

jsnake · **Re: Shaky clutch**

I'm noy sure of the rating, but I know the pettle is a lot stiffer than it was before. The thing of it is, I told him I wanted a clutch that would put up with more HP and I drive it every day. If the clutch does this normally, I wouldn't have let him put it in. He is telling me all of this afterwards. If you get a clutch put in, ask them about the chatter.
Thanks Thomas for the info. I have already addressed any of those possible causes, besides him taking it back apart.

**MonteCitan** · **Re: Shaky clutch**


Quote: Originally Posted by Thomas91169 btw mine (02 GT) also chatters in the morning on the first few easy takeoffs, but im starting to think its an aftermarket one as well, ive abused the piss out of the clutch, and it still holds, its the tob thats getting to me (makes a squeal even when the car is in gear and moving). but after driving my car and then the cobra, unless they use different clutches (which i hear no, as the GT clutch kit is the same as a 03/04 for a T56 according to that one site that sells the T56 kits) than the GT's is definately different in terms of engagement, cause the cobra's was easy as pie and the guy was original owner and said ford replaced the clutch at 30k with a stocker.

For what its worth, I abused the heck out of my '02 GT, and the stock clutch was fine, they can take a beating

**SpectorV** · **Re: Shaky clutch**

my friend has a spec stage II on his 300rwhp/tq 5.0 LX and is smooth, just stuff.

bullitt482 · **Re: Shaky clutch**


Quote: Originally Posted by MonteCitan For what its worth, I abused the heck out of my '02 GT, and the stock clutch was fine, they can take a beating

Agreed, I powershifted the Bullitt for 60,000 miles after I put the shifter in it, and the clutch is still going strong with the new owner.

**bbunt302** · **Re: Shaky clutch**


Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV my friend has a spec stage II on his 300rwhp/tq 5.0 LX and is smooth, just stuff.

Actually, it's a Stage I. But yes, Spec does make the best clutches out there in my opinion. It is supposed to handle 400 rwhp, but is still pretty smooth. It's stiff and has a quick release (hard to slip, more like an on/off switch...

), but there is no chatter or slipping.