Evening all

Over the past few months I have been rebuilding a 1998 306 diesel. Last week I fitted a new clutch and today I got it running for the first time and drove it out of the garage. The clutch juddered quite badly when taking up first gear and did the same when I reversed back in. I've literally covered no more than 10 metres but it's got me worried! I cant take the car out to test just now due to a lack of MOT.

I'm guessing this isn't normal... Any ideas what I might have done wrong? I cleaned the flywheel and pressure plate with brake cleaner and smeared a thin layer of copper slip on the gearbox splines and inside the release bearing.

I'm hoping it will improve once driven properly but I'm not hopeful.

Any thoughts?

Edited 13 September, 201015 yr by VRSPhil

Did you only fit a new friction plate?

Did you only fit a new friction plate?

No I fitted a new pressure plate and release bearing, too. It was a 3 piece kit.

Did any oil or grease get onto the friction linings? That or the flywheel surface being uneven could give the judder.

I was careful to keep it clean but I suppose it's possible. The old clutch didn't judder so I assume the flywheel is ok?

Is the judder coming from the clutch? The problem could also come from the drive shafts or engine mounts etc.

If the old clutch didn't judder, and the new one does, assuming it was all put back together properly, guess what, the new clutch is faulty. Either a distorted centre plate or more likely out of true pressure plate. I always check new clutches with a micrometer, and dial gauge, to avoid having to do the job twice.

Did you go cheap or did you buy a decent brand? I've gone cheap in the past and have ended up with clutch judder. It's worth getting a decent one after spending all that time dismantling and reassembling, the last thing you want to do is have to take it all apart again. Sadly I think you'll have to do just that to remedy the problem.