Hey there... Been watching the threads on here about the clutch shudder problems. I 1st noticed mine doing it at 1500 miles, and thought it was just me getting used to the feel of the REX clutch. Since discovering this site, I have noticed that you guys have had the same troubles, the same times that I have. (IE Mornings when its cold) Mine is still intermitant, but I took it to the dealer today for its 7500 mile service, a squeaky drivers window, and mentioned the "Clutch Shudder".... The service writter went right away and got the service manager, who I told again about this problem.

His words to me were, "We have seen this a few times with other cars, but the problem is that there are only two ways to inspect the problem... Measure pedal travel to determine if the clutch is wearing prematurely, or tear the transmission out and look at it. If we do that and there is nothing that we find, it will be $3000. If we do it and find that there is wear, and its not covered, it will be $3000. If I were you, I would just keep driving it, and wait until it gets worse, then decide if it's something that we can pinpoint." At this point, I mentioned to him that I have been watching this site, and have heard dozens of people with the same problem, having SOA warranty the work. He ignored this comment, and continued to tell me that the transmission in my WRX is not strong enough to hadle the power (:eek:) and that if SOA would put the STI 6-speed in, everyone would be happy. (to include me at this point)

I am more then a little concerned that this is the service I have just plunked down $25,000 for. After my visit to this dealer, I called a friend of mine, who's father owns a Subby dealership... He called his lead tech, described the problem to him - here's what he said.... "I have seen this problem before, and one time took the clutch pack apart to find that there was the wrong pressure plate in there." He also said that they have seen the slave cyl. be bad in the WRX.

So here I am... no further ahead (actually $47 out of pocket for my 7500 service) and can't get my service manager to give me straight info on getting my 6 month old ride fixed! Suggestions anyone?

Appreciate your comments.

I would try and leave the car overnight when you know it's going to be cold. Get there early in the AM and go for a ride with the tech or service manager. If the shudderis there, ask him to fix it. That hould not cost you anything.

Agree. When my MY00 2.5RS clutch started acting up at 3k I took it in and got the "we cannot duplicate problem" speech. At around 7k I left it at the dealership overnight. I asked the service agent to park the car at the tech's area so that the tech would be the first person to touch the car the next morning. They felt the shudder and replaced the clutch assembly under warranty. I would advise taking it in before 1 yr/12k miles...after that they may be harder to deal with. (FWIW the car was stock)

My WRX is starting to shudder at 3.5k...here we go again.:p

I also was just thinking that I was just getting used to the shifting, but this is really concerning me. If Subaru just accepted it, and did a recall (unlikely) then just think how much people would leave them.

There was a post a while back stating that "proper" shifting techniques would help the sensitive clutches...after paying a little more attention to my habits, I don't shudder as much as I used to. Very strange, but I must admit that I tend to be a lazy clutch "slipper" at times. :rolleyes: