I have this cold star shutter problem on my 2001 sedan 2.5 RS
If anyone has info on this, could you please share it with me.
My dealership is giving me a hard time fixing it.
Where (specifically) can I get documented information on this problem, because I know it is a problem that Subaru has not solved yet. I need ammo to throw at my dealership when they give me **** about replacing my cluth and pressure plate.
Any info would help me thanks
DANNY B

Search "Clutch Shudder" and be prepared to be overwelmed by info.
It seems to be one of the true Subie weakpoints,
including a nasty case infecting my WRX with < 7K miles.

It seems a fact on Subarus... I have heard that burning the clutch a bit will get rid of it, at least for a bit. Never tried it myself though. *shrug*

I had that on my 01 RS. In the morning, for like the first 5 mins, it would rattle the dash as if I didnt know how to drive stick. I brought it several times to the dealer, and all I got was the standard "We could not duplicate the problem". So, on a cool night, I left the car overnight for them to try in the morning. It worked! They called me and said that they experienced it, but it wasnt bad enough to warrant them to change the clutch. They just said to wait till it gets worse, and I'll have no problem with the replacement. I did trade in the car a little after that for a WRX, so it never got fixed. I suggest you leave the car overnite, so they can experience it.

Danny

OMG, is that when you get the car going and the car shakes violently for a few seconds then it's fine? I thought that was me... I get it sometimes now, not as much as I used to.

Yeah, I've had the problem for about a year now... when it's either cold or humid, it happens.

I've burnt the hell out of my clutch, and no dice. oh well. I took it to the dealership, but it wasn't either cold nor humid, so it didn't really do it for them, so they couldn't do anything.

I've been having this problem for a while now, it's getting worse as winter sets in.

If your trying to figure out how to describe it, or want to reproduce it for someone so they know what to look for... You can get it up to about 15mph, put in 5th and try to floor it. Exactly the same.

-Silas

I have it. Two ways to avoid it....either rev higher when taking off, but not too high as to damage the cold engine, or take off and barely use any gas. Either way will minimize the shudder.

If you get your clutch replaced with another suburu one, the problem will most likely come back a short while later. See if you can work out a deal with the dealer to install an ATC clutch if you buy it. I know someone on this board was able to get that done.

I too have the shudder, I've taken it in 3 times for it but nothing has been done...:(

This problem arose in Australia when they changed the clutch materials in the MY98 and later.

The earlier one were going thorugh the clucth too quick so they changed the compound on the clutch.

The MY98 WRX i had would get the shudders when it was cold, but like racing brake pads, once there was some heat in the system, it was ok.

The trade off was a a longer lasting clutch.

Sound like the same problem.

I think it's more humidity related especially here in Virginia. When I park in the parking garage overnight, I don't get the clutch shudder.. it's just cold, no humidity down there.

I just burn up the clutch a bit for first a few min of driving. Maybe for about 4-5 corners. Just raise the RPM at around 2k and I think you will be alright. (at least for me, it's ok)

I'm waiting for "winter" to set in here in SoCal, then park it overnight for my dealer, accompanied by a few thousand pages printed off I-Club about clutch shudder.

So, is it the pressure plate, the clutch disc, or the flywheel? I read the flywheel developed hot spots (high spots) and this caused the skipping/shudder.