Manual occasionally gets the shudders

[BruceTheQuail]

Every so often - maybe once evey few months - I find that the car shudders a bit when I am releasing the clutch taking off from first, normal driving, like it is a bad change, and this will be repeated in the particular drive every time I do it, i.e. if I stop at lights 5 times, I will get the shudder 5 times, and it doesnt matter if I am driving gently or not or if I try more power. This had probably happened 4 times in the 18 months I have had the car, most recently about a week ago. it it a little frustrating.

Then the next time I start the car, it doesnt happen any more. So I dont know if it is me, with my left leg not behaving for a day, or a characteristic of the car. Does this happen to anyone else?

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[Dingo]

Peter, I have something similar, but happens very rarely.
Not sure if mine is tied up with all the other problems it's had.
Happened last weekend, not sure if it was engine related, felt like a low grade misfire more than a clutch shudder.

 

[shogun32]

sounds like you have stray friction material on the disk. Perhaps some friction material 'welds' to the plate when parked and has to get knocked off or burnt off.

Next time it happens, put 2000+RPM on the tach and ride the clutch and it'll probably clear in a couple seconds. Also check your line from brake master cylinder and make sure it's not letting air in because the hose is fully over-stretched. I zip-tied mine to the barbs.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

Nice work, both of you. I'll try that fix next time it happens.

 

[Johnnybee]

I had this issue with my 2010 Sonata, which I traded on the Mustang. It had a dual mass flywheel, as does the Mustang, and I was wholly convinced it had something to do with that. It was relatively low mileage and my mechanic checked it as best he could from an access plate and told me there was virtually no dust inside. It was hit and miss, and occurred very infrequently, and, as you experienced, it would happen a few lights at a time and then be fine on the next drive, and perhaps for months.

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

I have this phenomenon on both my car and my truck. I only drive them about once every two weeks and will get the shudder until I have made several shifts and the engine has warmed up. Both of mine are parked outside and I have noticed that it is more likely to happen when it has been raining or we have had high humidity conditions. My theory is that it has to do with the moisture and is resolved by getting some heat into the clutch. I could be wrong, but that is my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

 

[sk47]

Hello; A long time ago a manual trans car had a rear main seal leak. The engine oil would get on the rotating clutch components an eventually on the clutch disk. Slipping the clutch a bit woyuld burn off the oil for a time.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

Strewth, many theories and all seem very plausible. Mine is parked outside too!

 

[DFB5.0]

I have this phenomenon on both my car and my truck. I only drive them about once every two weeks and will get the shudder until I have made several shifts and the engine has warmed up. Both of mine are parked outside and I have noticed that it is more likely to happen when it has been raining or we have had high humidity conditions. My theory is that it has to do with the moisture and is resolved by getting some heat into the clutch. I could be wrong, but that is my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

This has been my experience and theory as well.

 

[TeeCee]

Every so often - maybe once evey few months - I find that the car shudders a bit when I am releasing the clutch taking off from first, normal driving, like it is a bad change, and this will be repeated in the particular drive every time I do it, i.e. if I stop at lights 5 times, I will get the shudder 5 times, and it doesnt matter if I am driving gently or not or if I try more power. This had probably happened 4 times in the 18 months I have had the car, most recently about a week ago. it it a little frustrating.

Then the next time I start the car, it doesnt happen any more. So I dont know if it is me, with my left leg not behaving for a day, or a characteristic of the car. Does this happen to anyone else?

If you still have the standard clutch pedal spring it could be that due to lack of progression - I replaced mine with the below & it made a world of difference:
Steeda 2015-22 Clutch Spring Assist 35lb/in
Highly Recommended for all Manual Mustangs!

 

[WD Pro]

I have this phenomenon on both my car and my truck. I only drive them about once every two weeks and will get the shudder until I have made several shifts and the engine has warmed up. Both of mine are parked outside and I have noticed that it is more likely to happen when it has been raining or we have had high humidity conditions. My theory is that it has to do with the moisture and is resolved by getting some heat into the clutch. I could be wrong, but that is my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

This has been my experience and theory as well.

That's vote number three, and thanks for saving me having to write it out @Paul McWhiskey

My Sportage has done exactly that from new - twelve years later its still exactly the same, not even a little bit better or worse

WD

 

[BruceTheQuail]

Yeah mine is more that it will happen every time I start off in first (but no other gear) throughout the whole drive, which would usually be at least 15 minutes long. So I dont think getting up to temp is a factor, but you never know, with all these suggestions I will know next time what to look for and will post when it happens.

 

[GT450]

This has been my experience and theory as well.

Mine too but with my Mazda not the Mustang, well not yet anyway.

 

[GT 550]

I will know next time what to look for and will post when it happens.

Hi Peter any news on this? I was wondering if you're gingering it too much and the material has glazed, I know a fix for that.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

Hi, it hasnt happened since but that's not unusual as it sometimes goes a few months between when it does happen.

What's gingering the clutch? I have to say, I am pretty proud of my shifts which are smooth as silk except when I am giving it heaps (I find it hard to get the clutch point right when I am giving it stick, but probs because it is very rarely that I do). I reckon in normal driving the shifts are smoother than an auto. But hitting it hard, pretty lumpy I'm afraid.

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