986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Clutch, RMS, or Engine Mount? Drivetrain shuddering occassionally

jakeru · 05-24-2016, 09:29 PM

I have similar symptoms in my 2001 5-speed. I have described it as a "clutch chatter", "judder" or "shutter" on clutch engagement when getting the car going in 1st gear. (And as you mentioned, it's really much more noticeable sometimes than others. For me though, sometimes I've thought it was worst when cold and might improve sometimes when warmed up.)

Here's a thread I started about it:
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/59749-clutch-chatter-cause-correction.html

I can't quite put my finger on what conditions make it happen, I've been lining up replacement parts for clutch (clutch disc, pressure plate, throw out bearing, release fork, and guide tube and small pieces), as well as a new dual-mass flywheel since these are all somewhat suspect, and my car has 110k+ miles with no known/verified clutch replacement. Since the clutch is not slipping and has never slipped, it's a bit on the back burner.

I will add as I went through the winter, I noticed when it was very cold out (especially down into the 40's-50's F ) there was a pretty loutish/noticeable squealing sound for a minute or so after the car was first started in the cold and would immediately go away when the clutch was pressed, and come back as soon as clutch pedal was released - Almost sounded like a squealing fan belt - which I believe based on how it came and went with the clutch pedal, I figure this was likely the throw out bearing being unhappy (perhaps not spinning very freely, and even perhaps spinning/skipping on the pressure plate splines).

As I recently went desqueaking and optimizing the pedals, I also noticed what sounded like a low squeak or groan sound coming when depressing/releasing the clutch pedal, seemingly to come from the pedal itself (and also can be felt as a small vibration through the clutch operating foot), is actually, when you have the engine switched off, clearly coming from underneath car, back at the transmission. So, I have multiple pieces of evidence pointing to something not working quite perfectly smooth with the clutch/throw out bearing.

Meanwhile, my wife complains the clutch pedal effort is too high, although I haven't had the car long enough to know if it's by design or fixable. But I'll throw that bit in there too. Sorry I don't have a necessarily definitive solution but hope this helps.

I will also add that although I've not messed with the transmission mounts, I did replace the front engine mount. The original was in bad shape, but it didn't fix or even seem to help the clutch judder/shutter problem - at all.

05-24-2016, 09:29 PM	#4
jakeru Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Greater Seattle, WA Posts: 534	I have similar symptoms in my 2001 5-speed. I have described it as a "clutch chatter", "judder" or "shutter" on clutch engagement when getting the car going in 1st gear. (And as you mentioned, it's really much more noticeable sometimes than others. For me though, sometimes I've thought it was worst when cold and might improve sometimes when warmed up.) Here's a thread I started about it: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/59749-clutch-chatter-cause-correction.html I can't quite put my finger on what conditions make it happen, I've been lining up replacement parts for clutch (clutch disc, pressure plate, throw out bearing, release fork, and guide tube and small pieces), as well as a new dual-mass flywheel since these are all somewhat suspect, and my car has 110k+ miles with no known/verified clutch replacement. Since the clutch is not slipping and has never slipped, it's a bit on the back burner. I will add as I went through the winter, I noticed when it was very cold out (especially down into the 40's-50's F ) there was a pretty loutish/noticeable squealing sound for a minute or so after the car was first started in the cold and would immediately go away when the clutch was pressed, and come back as soon as clutch pedal was released - Almost sounded like a squealing fan belt - which I believe based on how it came and went with the clutch pedal, I figure this was likely the throw out bearing being unhappy (perhaps not spinning very freely, and even perhaps spinning/skipping on the pressure plate splines). As I recently went desqueaking and optimizing the pedals, I also noticed what sounded like a low squeak or groan sound coming when depressing/releasing the clutch pedal, seemingly to come from the pedal itself (and also can be felt as a small vibration through the clutch operating foot), is actually, when you have the engine switched off, clearly coming from underneath car, back at the transmission. So, I have multiple pieces of evidence pointing to something not working quite perfectly smooth with the clutch/throw out bearing. Meanwhile, my wife complains the clutch pedal effort is too high, although I haven't had the car long enough to know if it's by design or fixable. But I'll throw that bit in there too. Sorry I don't have a necessarily definitive solution but hope this helps. I will also add that although I've not messed with the transmission mounts, I did replace the front engine mount. The original was in bad shape, but it didn't fix or even seem to help the clutch judder/shutter problem - at all. __________________ 2001 Boxster Last edited by jakeru; 05-24-2016 at 09:42 PM.