I think I experience it when releasing the clutch in 1st gear, it feels like the pressure plate jumps on the flywheel or something, but when fully engaged wont do it anymore. It doesnt do it when backing up though. What really causes it ?

Could a bad rear mount cause it ??

 

According to a thread that was around yesterday or something, it's clutch slippage which goes away as the clutch fully engages (plan on getting a new clutch soon).

 

Crap, I guess I half expected the clutch to start going bad... Well, it held good for a 280000km car.. hehe

thx

 

Usually it's heat cracks in the pressure plate that cause the clutch chatter, assuming it's only happening from a standing start, you shouldn't get it rolling between gears, it may last quite a bit longer if you go easy on it, once you get clutch slippage your'e done. You might be able to get the flywheel turned if it's not damaged too badly, but the longer you leave a slipping clutch the more chance of something busting and causing permanent damage then it's all new parts! If you want to save costs in the long run, be prepared to change the clutch soon! Heat cracks and chattering are obviously wearing your clutch out much quicker than normal. Good luck, like you said not bad for a 280,000kms car.

 

If you are talking about a newly installed clutch, you can get clutch chatter from grease spots, not turning the flywheel (when it needed to be), or not breaking in the new clutch properly (ie. 500 miles).

 

The clutch is the original one, and it does not slip at all, it just chatters once every two weeks or so, depending on how I launch it from a stop... But no slipping at all !!

 

I've been getting clutch chatter on and off since I bought the car (new). No problems yet...but the possibility of replacement is on the horizon...

 

i had the same exact problem even after i changed my clutch. i was told to check my flywheel. the flywheel is similar to the brake rotor after a while the flywheel gets warp or sometimes oil can get on it. either way if you turn your flywheel like he said that should stop it.

 

The brake rotor analogy is a good one. Although the flywheel is fairly thick and unlikely to warp, the surface may have burn marks and other signs of uneven wear--that's really what decides whether you need to resurface. Also, sometimes installers get lazy and don't clean the flywheel or the new pressure plate surface with brake cleaner. They may also use their grubby hands to handle the new friction disc.

Of course, chatter can be accentuated with motor mounts getting "tired." Before I got Poly-filled stock mounts, chatter (usually on a humid morning starting out) was sometimes horrendous, at times like bucking. Also, SPEC claims to have a chatterless clutch because of the way their friction disc handles slip.