Hey, First post here but been looking a for awhile.

I've got a 2004 Ralliart, 5-sp 70K miles, stock.

I'm having some issues with my clutch that come and go. Occasionally when taking off the clutch doesn't seem to engage correctly and can cause the entire car to shudder. There is no slipping or chatter, and only happens when you take off. Shifting in higher gears is smooth and no issues.

I've noticed that this seems to happen a lot if the car is moving and you engage the clutch in first gear. I can usually mitigate the shudder by either very slowly engaging the clutch or having a higher RPM engagement.

Anyone had these issues before? I suspect something mechanically wrong with the clutch, flywheel, ect... Thanks!

 

sounds normal to me...the car will shake when it approaches a stall...it could be that it's not disengaging properly, and is still partially engaged when the clutch pedal is depressed...try bleeding the clutch.

 

I've been driving a stick for 11 years, this one for 5 and this not consistent with a stall. The motor is always well above an RPM that would make the car stall. The shudder is VERY severe. It almost feels like the clutch is bouncing off the flywheel. I'll try bleeding it though.

 

oh, so it's not like an approaching stall give me more throttle shake/chatter...it's like a violent not supposed to happen shake...you might have broken fingers on the pressure plate causing an uneven release of the clutch...a blown TOB usually is just noisy, unless it exploded, then you'd have all sorts of problems...are you one to take the transmission out yourself?

 

Yup, I don't think the car would die if I let out the clutch further I feel like the car would tear itself apart. Even when the engagement is good I still feel a little un-satisfying roughness at the end.

Probably the oddest part is that it will be fine for months at a time, come back for a few days and then go away. Maybe the changing condition of the flywheel?

Sadly I don't have the space/tool/patience, so it's going in the shop or selling it if I can't fix it easy. Is there a way to inspect the pressure plate without removing the transmission? Is it visible through the clutch arm opening?

 

if you could get your head in there, or had a little mirror and some light you might be able to see...but yeah, you should be able to see the pressure plate through there...

 

Well I went and bought a bleed kit, and there was a far more air than I had expected (I expected none). Peddle feel is noticeably better and clutch feel is as well. I'll drive it for a few days and see but at very least I think it's much better, only had a short drive but I can tell there is a difference. Hopefully that's the end of it but I'm not sure given the comes and goes nature of it. If it comes back I'll see if I can inspect the pressure plate.

Thanks for the advice.