mechanics juddering on clutch! any ideas

julie03

the other day the clutch went soft and we had problems getting in gear. since then when in 1st gear or reverse and you go to move there is a juddering, whilst driving we have no problems whatsover.

car is a mondeo 1.6 2002 zetec

any ideas

Strider590

Clutch release bearing?

The clutch is obviously worn, as 1st and reverse put the most torque through the clutch.

Simple test - on level ground, stop, handbrake on, car in 4th gear, dump the clutch (loose the clutch completely and instantly).
If the car doesn't stall straight away then the clutch is knackered.

2002, probably time for a new clutch anyway.

mcjordi

Strider590 wrote: »

Clutch release bearing?

The clutch is obviously worn, as 1st and reverse put the most torque through the clutch.

Simple test - on level ground, stop, handbrake on, car in 4th gear, dump the clutch (loose the clutch completely and instantly).
If the car doesn't stall straight away then the clutch is knackered.

2002, probably time for a new clutch anyway.

thats what i said straight away after reading the thread title..

julie03

we bought this car two years ago and it had a new clutch in jan 08

it has a warrenty with the clutch which says 2yrs 24000mls warranty, would this still cover it for a new owner or is it whatever comes first, so the 2yrs is up first.
we have done 20000 since the clutch was replaced

harveybobbles

Clutch should last the life time of the car really. So maybe its driver abuse...

rev_henry

My car has always done this occasionally, especially if it gets hot, i.e. after a run or lots of city driving. Which is great because by definition city driving involves using the clutch much more! Anyway, I have taken it in to a garage I know and trust and they basically said be careful with it, its not worth replacing the clutch yet. Don't know if its the same with your car, it may be more serious for you, but I find applying as little gas as possible helps if it starts doing it when moving off; so that its on the brink of stalling as you let the clutch up, and its fine.

bigjl

Could also be an engine mount or fluid contamination on the clutch lining, I had a Xantia the used to judder, it was a cheaper to get to work so I didn't worry about it, even when it started to slip a little.

The new owner changed it after he bought it and told me it improved the car dramatically.

KillerWatt

Juddering when pulling away (and the clutch going "soft") are all indicative that a cheap chinese piece of crap pattern part was used when the clutch was replaced back in 08 (20,000 ago) rather than using a brand name.

As far as warranty goes, check the T&C's in the paperwork that the previous owner gave you (some companies allow transfer of warranty, and some don't).

Hammyman

julie03 wrote: »

the other day the clutch went soft and we had problems getting in gear. since then when in 1st gear or reverse and you go to move there is a juddering, whilst driving we have no problems whatsover.

car is a mondeo 1.6 2002 zetec

any ideas

Possible oil leak onto clutch plate. The Mondeo has a remote slave cylinder inside the bellhousing. It may have a leak. Check the clutch fluid reservoir.

KillerWatt

Hammyman wrote: »

Possible oil leak onto clutch plate. The Mondeo has a remote slave cylinder inside the bellhousing. It may have a leak. Check the clutch fluid reservoir.

Contamination on the spinner plate would not affect the feel in the clutch pedal.

optimus_primera

clutch release fork ??