clutch shudder on engagement?

[mikec]

hey guys, wanted to ask about a little issue i've been having on my '85 nissan 720.

 

recently, while engaging the clutch from a stop i have to ride the clutch considerably more than usual to avoid excessive shudder. i recently replaced the carrier bearing that was shredded and clunking around the tunnel a couple months ago. i've owned, driven and maintained the the truck pretty carefully for 5 years....so it's not an issue of not knowing how to drive or abuse. the original trans was rebuilt 16k ago (after theft), and last clutch was in 2004 (30-40k ago?).

 

the driveshaft was properly marked and aligned when i did the bearing, and no vibrations at speed. definitely feels as though the clutch is grabbing improperly/skipping, but no slippage. i don't drive her that often and this is a recent occurrence that is amplified the more often i drive it.

 

would appreciate your input!

[metalmonkey47]

What kind of condition are your U-joints in?

 

 

 

 

Might make sense to separate the driveshafts and see if theirs any binding on the U-joints. I had a similar problem on my 620 that turned out to be a front U-Joint that was binding from garbage inside the bearing cup. It wouldn't shudder at speed or vibrate at all, except when you were taking off from a dead stop. The whole truck would shake like it was falling apart until I got up to 4-5MPH

 

$7.99 gets you a new joint at AZ.

[datzenmike]

First check that the transmission to motor mounting bolts are tight, then the transmission rear mount, then the engine motor mounts are tight. (cost... zero)

 

Clutch disc is worn out, pressure plate unevenly worn/gouged or flywheel needs resurfacing. The following are less likely but possible... engine rear seal is leaking oil onto the clutch/flywheel, the spring(s) in the clutch disc are broken.