1972 Clutch Chatter

[Larry M.]

The clutch in my car has just started to chatter when taking off from a stop.

Coincidentally or not, this started just after I let a friend drive the car. At one point during the drive, he was stopped on an upward incline, and it seemed to me as if he revved the engine too much, and let the clutch out too slowly as he got moving from that stop.



Thanks!

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1972 Clutch Chatter

It seems unlikely that a single poor clutch engagement could do that much damage...it would have needed to be a "Deusy". Your bud must be used to driving low torque, four-banger engines.

Was there enough clutch slip that you smelled clutch disc material burning afterward? There would have been a strong acrid smell from the clutch.

[John H.]

Re: 1972 Clutch Chatter

First things I'd look at are the engine mounts and the transmission mount; a deteriorated/separated transmission mount can cause MAJOR clutch chatter.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1972 Clutch Chatter

Chuck,

You are so right; he drives a VW! No strong smell, though...

Thanks! Larry

[Larry M.]

Re: 1972 Clutch Chatter

Thanks for the tip, John, I'll check the mounts. The chatter isn't what I'd call major; I'd call it a minor chatter ('gossip', maybe). It's just surprising and a little bit annoying to have it suddenly appear.

Larry