Club 80-90 Forums

Trying to work out why i sometimes get engine juddering on hill start.
Have a 1990 Cali with a AAZ in the back. So, here's how it goes...standing start on a hill, revs up and just about to get the clutch to bite,,,does not bite but instead get a juddering out the back somewhere that builds up and feels a bit like a washing machine in full spin with too many towl's in (hopefully you get the picture) then i play with the clutch, give some more revs and off we go. It's just had a new gearbox mount fitted. It has been lifted so wondered if the CV joints were giving up with the new geometry. Clutch...But thought i'd ask here for a bit of input.

cheers

Dave

My van usually does it from the start off each time, my solution is to have the handbrake on and slip the clutch driving against the brakes whilst in reverse. After that there is no problem, it is as smooth as a smooth thing - I think that mine is caused by living by the sea and the attendant moisture is causing rust on the surfaces as I also get it on the brakes after a couple of days non-use.

Had the same problem a few years back, also with an AAZ conversion. Very severe judder first thing in first or reverse, but eventually it started doing it whenever moving off from a standstill, only way to overcome was lots of revs and slipping the clutch a lot. Tried all the usual, engine mounts , gearbox mount etc but had discounted the clutch as it had only done 25k but in the end that's what was causing it. Replaced the clutch immediate cure, no obvious damage to old clutch but the replacement had much beefier looking damping springs. One clutch was a LUK and the other a Sachs but can't remember which was which.

Still going strong on replacement clutch 5 years later and 40k later with no return of problem

Thanks guys, a bit more exploration needed on my side i think. Thanks for the help.

Mine did it straight from a new full clutch, had already done the gearbox mount and engine mounts were fine.

Which bushes are you replacing with? My clutch juddered and & replaced the gearbox bush with a Powerflex & it's be fine ever since.

Hi Captain, did the same and replaced the gearbox mount bush with Powerflex. Hasn't cured it but may have made it a little better.
Think a quick look at the engine mounts might be needed as OBG said. Cheers