Can anyone offer an opinion on this...?

My XR2 has developed a serious juddering when the clutch is part-engaged - eg when pulling away. This also happens much worse when reversing and when I say worse, I mean it sounds like the engine is about to drop out!

Opinion seems to be split amongst those that have seen it between the cause either being a knackered release bearing or the input shaft bearing on the gearbox. The release bearing has been noisey ever since I bought the car and I tend to make it worse due to my habit of resting my foot on the clutch pedal and that it is driven into central London most days (well, before this problem happened anyway). However, I am also putting out about 50% more power than the factory car would, and it is well known the gearboxes don't go on for ever with big power going through them, although it does tend to be the diff that dies first.

Now, I don't want to mess about changing the release bearing only to find it's the gearbox, but at the same time I would rather avoid spending ~£150 on a second hand gearbox unless I have to!

Anyone shed any light on the subject?

Chris

[Edited on 6/5/2005 by ChrisW]

sounds like a mounting is broken or diff bearings,give the engine a rock (not of crack) and see if its solid.
check if there is any up and down play in the inner pot joints (no not that type),any play and diff bearings are foobard

Clutch judder is very unlikely to be caused by either the release bearing or the input shaft bearing. Bearing failures start with a whining/rumbling noise and if the input bearing eventualy collapses you will know all about it as the gearbox will attempt to eat itself. A collapsed release bearing will generaly mean you are unable to release the clutch, or if it seizes it cuts its way through the clutch fingers until again you are unable to release the clutch.

More likely is a oil contaminated friction plate or a broken/distorted diaphragm spring or pressure plate. Judder can also be caused by worn engine mounts and suspension bushes.

Either the clutch is knackered or the engine mounts --- on Fiestas usually the rectangular mounts under the gearbox which are very prone to failure.

The wifes pug 206 had exactly the same problem, the release bearing had seized and had spread the prongs on the fork, the bearing had a plastic/nylon carrier and the juddering was caused by the corners of the plastic carrier hitting the prongs of the fork as it spun.

It had also worn away the gearbox input shaft sleave(which forms part of the gearbox input shaft bearing retainer) and a piece had come off, not sure if ford g/box is the same

i have got the Ford TIS CD if that is any use to you??

Ray

[Edited on 5/6/05 by rayward]

quote:

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Originally posted by theconrodkid
give the engine a rock (not of crack)

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My tuned up XR3 did the same thing, turned out the clutch plate was braking up.

Sounds like clutch plate starting to go or an engine mounting..

The rear lower mtg's are prone as said above.

Judder can occasionally caused by oil on the clutch plates as well. (Rovers are good at that).

To find out if its oil, slip the clutch at high revs when you pull off a couple of times. Then pull off normally. If it doesnt judder, then the problem is a knackered seal between engine/clutch/g'box.

If on the other hand the clutch gives in being slipped at high revs, its probably one of the issues already described

David

Impreza's come with clutch judder as standard! My dad talked to the dealer and apparantly 'all Imprezas do it, it's to do with oil on the plates'. So it could be the same with your XR2.

Adam

xr2's - WOW!

I used to lust after a white one with black bodykit! But then I had a 1.4 Ghia....but thats another story!

I reckon its either of the rectangular engine mounts as mentioned above - OR - check your driveshafts where the splines meet the output shaft of your gearbox. Might sound silly but I sheared off the splines there on mine and it sounded like Id blown the gearbox up when you tried to pull away. Really nasty rattly noise - was sure it was the clutch until I replaced it (in a freezing cold garage in December) only to find all I needed was a new driveshaft!

Something else to try then!

Geoff

Hmm... looks like I'd better take the engine out and investigate. I'm sure the top engine mount is on the way out anyway, and the front tie bar bushes are most certainly screwed. Have got a complete set of poly's to go on as soon as my coilovers arrive.

Guess it would be a good idea to fit a decent clutch while I'm there too

Geoff - the car was in Performance Ford last month, along with another I built, if you want to see it. I'd scan it in if I had the equipment to do it!

Chris

Cheers Chris,

I'll have a look in the next filling station I end up at and see if they're stocking any Ford type mags from last month!

Geoff