New Clutch, Possibly Chattering?

[92TSI_AWD]

Hey, everyone.

I had a shop install a new ACT 2100, with a street disc and a new OEM throwout bearing. I received the car (Stock 1992 Talon TSI) back today, and promptly noticed two things that were vastly different from my old, worn out stock clutch:

-Short engagement! It was about as stiff as I was expecting, but the mesh point of the clutch is very short... The old one was extremely easy to modulate, with about five or six inches of travel through the mesh point, whereas the the new ACT has a very 'sharp' mesh point - I'd guess something in the area of an inch. Nothing I can't get used to.

-Chatter.
Or, what I think might be chatter.
When I'm launching in first gear (launch is the wrong word... easing off is more like it), I get a shaking/shuddering that I can only assume to be clutch chatter. It is also slightly noticeable when downshifting into first, and I've noted it a couple times shifting into second - Keeping in mind that I've perhaps put 50 kilometers on the car since I got it back this afternoon.

Can anyone try and confirm that this is, or is not clutch chatter? Or perhaps a normal part of break in?
I need to figure out quickly if this is not normal, so that I can give the keys back to the shop and say "try again", if neccesary.

While in the air, they also replaced the rear main seal, swapped an old halfshaft for a new one, and (supposedly) had the flywheel machined. They said that it would be machined at a local transmission shop that I know to be reputable, if not rather expensive.


I'll be waiting anxiously.... Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide!

-92TSIAWD

(As an afterthought, I did search. None of the nineteen results turned up exactly what I was looking for.)

 

[NATAS]

It sounds to me like the clutch isn't engaging/disengaging fully. That's a common problem after an aftermarket clutch install. The fact that you're only getting an inch really makes me think that's what's happening even more. I'd say take it back and have them bleed it and possibly try a longer slave rod, but it should have resistance longer than 1". I have a 2600 in my car and have had a 2100 too and they are noticeably stiffer but I've never noticed any reduction in travel. The fact that they "outsourced" the flywheel makes me wonder too. Maybe the stepped it wrong? Either way that's an easy problem to fix.

Also, just a word of caution. A lot of shops are dipshits and will charge you for work they don't do or even not do it all together. When I first got into DSMs' and had my 1st one I took it to the shop a few times and one time they screwed up a timing belt install by 2 teeth and another time they stole my oil cooler and my 16g. Really cool of them. Needless to say I quickly learned to do my own work or have more experienced guys help me because letting someone else work on your car especially when you're not there is sketchy. I hope everything works out for you man.

 

[el guapo]

the chattering your talking about. is it in neutral with the clutch out? if so my spec stage 2 has done that for years with no problems(except the noise) and i have been through several transmissions and throw out bearings. i wouldn't worry about it. as for the pedal travel that short engagement got on my nerves. you can get a longer slave cylinder rod from extreme psi for about $20 it made the clutch more manageable for street driving.as long as every things working right in the first place its a nice add(slave and master cylinders) the flywheel could of been stepped wrong if the did anything at all to it.but my clutch didn't feel like had muck more than an inch of play in it when i put it in.if you don't have any reason to suspect the shop you took you car then don't worry about it. but you should do your own work it saves you a lot of money for more parts to put on yourself.

 

[92TSI_AWD]

Well, a bit of news.
I'm no longer sure that it's clutch chatter - I'm beginning to suspect that it's simply a bit of roughness on the disc being smoothed out. I felt a noticeable difference coming home today as compared to when I first drove it yesterday, so I'm not nearly as concerned as before.

NATAS, there's lots of clutch travel, but it feels like there's only an inch or so where it engages or disengages. Not a big deal - It's sensitive, but I'm already driving it much more smoothly. I'm confident that the shop they took the flywheel to didn't screw up, because they're a shop that specialises in transmissions and drivelines, and is one of three related shops in the area that specialise in it. Most of the shops around here farm out flywheel work to them.

guapo, The chattering occurs as I'm engaging the clutch (When it bites). Makes any chatter very noticable. Also of note, is that it is the worst when I'm engaging at idle speeds (900-1300 ish RPM), but is not nearly as bad if I engage the clutch at slightly higher RPM's, or if I blip the throttle a few hundred RPM prior to launch.
And I do as much work as I can myself, but this job's a little to big for me to tackle, as I commute and this is my only car - I can't afford to have a problem and be carless for a day or three.

Thanks for the thoughts, guys.

 

[DGajre777]

Well, a bit of news.
I'm no longer sure that it's clutch chatter - I'm beginning to suspect that it's simply a bit of roughness on the disc being smoothed out. I felt a noticeable difference coming home today as compared to when I first drove it yesterday, so I'm not nearly as concerned as before.

NATAS, there's lots of clutch travel, but it feels like there's only an inch or so where it engages or disengages. Not a big deal - It's sensitive, but I'm already driving it much more smoothly. I'm confident that the shop they took the flywheel to didn't screw up, because they're a shop that specialises in transmissions and drivelines, and is one of three related shops in the area that specialise in it. Most of the shops around here farm out flywheel work to them.

guapo, The chattering occurs as I'm engaging the clutch (When it bites). Makes any chatter very noticable. Also of note, is that it is the worst when I'm engaging at idle speeds (900-1300 ish RPM), but is not nearly as bad if I engage the clutch at slightly higher RPM's, or if I blip the throttle a few hundred RPM prior to launch.
And I do as much work as I can myself, but this job's a little to big for me to tackle, as I commute and this is my only car - I can't afford to have a problem and be carless for a day or three.

Thanks for the thoughts, guys.

Do you know what step the flywheel was machined down to?

Did you see the clutch disc that they put in? You sure you got a ACT 2100 with a street disc and not a ACT 2100 with a 6 puck disc? The chatter sounds like something you would get with a 6 puck disc (like my car).

Did you try adjusting the engagement point on the clutch after it was installed?

 

[92TSI_AWD]

Do you know what step the flywheel was machined down to?

Did you see the clutch disc that they put in? You sure you got a ACT 2100 with a street disc and not a ACT 2100 with a 6 puck disc? The chatter sounds like something you would get with a 6 puck disc (like my car).

Did you try adjusting the engagement point on the clutch after it was installed?

No, I supplied all the parts myself, it's definitely a street disc. I have no idea what step the flywheel was machined to, and I have not tried adjusting the engagement point on the clutch.

However, more good news. The more I drive it, the less chatter I get. I'm thinking that all I was feeling was a little bit of roughness on the clutch disc the first few times I drove it. Sound feasible?

Also, for clarification, I'm happy with the clutch engagement and have no desire to change it. I was just a little worried about the chatter, which is fading.

 

[matt98eclipse]

Hey 92TSI I just installed a new 6 puck clutch over the weekend and noticed im have the same EXACT symtoms as your have with your clutch!! Is it still getting better and better? My car is shakeing and stubbles as i release the clutch!

 

[DGajre777]

Hey 92TSI I just installed a new 6 puck clutch over the weekend and noticed im have the same EXACT symtoms as your have with your clutch!! Is it still getting better and better? My car is shakeing and stubbles as i release the clutch!

You have a 6 puck, you have chatter. I mentioned it in your thread.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=151301116

 

[poooch]

ya usually most 6 puck cluthes have alot of chatter. the way to tell is put your clutch in. does it still make noise? if the noise comes and goes as you press and depress your clutch it is either one of two things. it needs to be re alligned or it is just chatter

alot of people experiance this with 6 puck aftermarket clutches or just aftermarket clutches in general