Occasional Shudder - clutch related?

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:34 am

Maybe I just can't drive properly, but this 2007 Outback of ours seems to have this nasty shudder in the clutch department under certain circumstances and I just can't work it out.

First of all it's an hydraulic clutch which I don't have a lot of experience in playing with.

It seems to shudder if I have a reasonable amount of revs as I first start off from a stationary position. On gear up-changes above 1st I can't detect it at all. If I let the thing stay at idle when I shift into 1st and release the clutch there is no shudder, but clearly that's not ideal and it obviously goes close to a stall unless you are very careful. On High speed down-shifts uphill like 5th-to-4th or 4th-to-3rd I get this similar shudder as well, but only for a short period.

It can really make the whole car shudder and bounce around at worst. At one stage I thought that it's almost as if the engine is sensing a knock and retarding the heck out of itself. Is this possible?

Only seems to do it when the clutch pedal is almost full released.

Ideas?

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:36 am

By the way I seem to have adapted to driving it without the issues so much now but If I'm not very careful it'll bite me

I have no real history of the vehicle as Subaru won't give it to me, but they tell me the clutch has never been replaced and it shouldn't be due until around 180-200,000km on average for this model. I'm at 140,000km.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:09 am

I'm thinking that it would all depend on the way the prevous owner drove the car

I'd say it's worn but only replace it if you're ready. The hydraulic part is really simple as it adjust as the clutch wears and will not need any play/adjustment if and when you put another clutch in

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:40 am

The same thing started happening to my car after my girlfriend got stuck trying to do a hill start on a particularly steep hill. According to her the car ended up in a cloud of clutch smoke and about half a dozen stalls before she managed to do the hill start. Ever since I have the same problem you describe. Broken engine mount wasn't helping, i replaced that and the problem isn't as noticable now. I suspect a warped clutch or flywheel?

Cheers,
Rhys

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:07 am

Oh yes Rhys.. you just reminded me.. Subydazz you might need to check where your model has the "hill brake" system fitted? If it does, it might just need adjusting

but this should only affect taking off from a stop.. I think your clutch is worn because you say it does it slightly when changing down gears.

baitman · Post by **baitman** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:56 pm

my outback has done 195000kms on its original clutch and its just starting to slip when it does it shudders. maybe the person before you didnt know how to respect an awd system clutch. you could also try adjusting it at the nuts at the top of the clutch peddel.

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:59 pm

RSR 555 wrote:Oh yes Rhys.. you just reminded me.. Subydazz you might need to check where your model has the "hill brake" system fitted? ...think your clutch is worn because you say it does it slightly when changing down gears.

Nope, I wish it did have a hill-holder though. It only does it at high rev downshifts, not normally. Thinking it's probably just worn too.

longy99gt · Post by **longy99gt** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:44 am

imm soooo over clutches, i've killed 2, and now im having more problems, inconsistant really really bad shudder, and the pedal is hesistant to come back up sometimes, like there is a lil delay between lifting your foot up, and it coming up, and now randomly just gets stuck after only lifting a tiny bit under firmer acceleration... but still no slippage? so maybe just the master cylinder is my problem>? the annoying thing is the only proper way to check is to take it apart and look at it, im yours and my situation,
unfortunately not a cheap or easy option....

you'll have to keep driving gently and just wing it until it gives up, or you decide to replace it.......
im gonna get the master cylinder looked at, and the other one, whatever thats called, and just wing it after that.....

Goodluck!

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:30 am

longy99gt wrote:imm soooo over clutches, i've killed 2, and now im having more problems, inconsistant really really bad shudder, and the pedal is hesistant to come back up sometimes, like there is a lil delay between lifting your foot up, and it coming up, and now randomly just gets stuck after only lifting a tiny bit under firmer acceleration... but still no slippage? so maybe just the master cylinder is my problem>? the annoying thing is the only proper way to check is to take it apart and look at it, im yours and my situation,
unfortunately not a cheap or easy option....

you'll have to keep driving gently and just wing it until it gives up, or you decide to replace it.......
im gonna get the master cylinder looked at, and the other one, whatever thats called, and just wing it after that.....

Goodluck!

That really sounds like a pedal issue. Have a good look at the pedal pivot and return spring before you pay anyone to crack open the hydraulics.

Dane.

gtcompletepower · Post by **gtcompletepower** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:08 pm

the problem is most likely in the clutch slave cylinder if pedal is sticking my daughter had same problem in a 2001 rx i pulled out the slave cylinder soaked it metholayted sprits cleaned it and the rubber put it backed together then bled the cylinder and it has been all good since one subaru dealer stated it would need a new clutch john french motors at wooloongabbabba said to do this to the cylinder as it would solve the problem as rubber and cylinder get sticky and it doesnt slide like it should

longy99gt · Post by **longy99gt** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:14 pm

hmmm i'll have to try that first...
Cheers!

longy99gt · Post by **longy99gt** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 9:58 pm

okay, bad news, the mechanic tried the slave cylinder,
but to no success, found that the square rubber seal on top of the clutch/gearbox was split,
and has let dirt water and whatever other crap in and has therefor made the clutch "sticky"
now we have to take the g/box of, just to clean it, and put it back together....

hows ur going now subydazz?