Judder after clutch replaced

Wise Old Elf

The clutch on my trusty Focus MK1, 2004, bog standard 1388cc model gave up the ghost last week. Unfortunately I was going through the express lane of the M7 toll at the time, not ideal, but had to invoke the rescue part of my insurance.
Anyway, had to get the clutch replaced at the garage it was towed to. Drove it home (70 odd miles) this evening and it drove fine, but going out after, I noticed a strong judder when I start the engine. None when driving, but at low idle, it started to judder again.
Any thoughts? It wasn't doing this before the clutch replacement but it could also be a coincidence?

martyc5674

Wise Old Elf wrote: »

The clutch on my trusty Focus MK1, 2004, bog standard 1388cc model gave up the ghost last week. Unfortunately I was going through the express lane of the M7 toll at the time, not ideal, but had to invoke the rescue part of my insurance.
Anyway, had to get the clutch replaced at the garage it was towed to. Drove it home (70 odd miles) this evening and it drove fine, but going out after, I noticed a strong judder when I start the engine. None when driving, but at low idle, it started to judder again.
Any thoughts? It wasn't doing this before the clutch replacement but it could also be a coincidence?

Sound like a gearbox or engine mount problem.
These are upset during clutch replacement... it's possible one has given up or has not been tightened up properly after the work.

Four Phucs Ache

If it's only happening when idle and starting, the gearbox mount/ bushings etc which were happy for 13 years is now sitting different or perished or are not tight enough.

After driving seventy miles the new position/tightness has settled giving you the issue.

Wise Old Elf

Thanks folks, had a listen again there and it would definitely add up to what you both said, still drives fine but rattles at idle
Will have to drop it in to my local guy, doesn't sound like a DIY job. I presume it's not a good idea to keep driving either?

Four Phucs Ache

I drive a 04 1.4 focus.This mount is under the airbox .If you have a socket set you should be able to check it yourself for peace of mind.

As for driving , anything untoward should have cropped up on the 70 mile trip.

There are several nuts and bolts undone and redone when doing a clutch so for the last 13 years these where sound, all torqued correctly to spec at the factory now they've been given a shock.

A judder to me could be completely different to how you may describe a judder.

Your local mechanic should be able to spot check the necessary bolts/mounts within 30 mins if your not confident/equipped to do it yourself.

Wise Old Elf

Cheers. Had a look on YouTube, could tighten it up myself but wouldn't tackle replacing it if it's perished. Will have a look at the weekend.

Wise Old Elf

Just a quick update, I had a look at the mount under the air filter box and it appeared fine.

Reckoned it was more likely the lower mount based on the noise so dropped it in to my local garage who confirmed it hadn't been tightened up.
Sorted now, nice and smooth and no rattle/judder (for now).

Also thought the rear brake shoes needed doing, but when the garage had a look they were fine, they just gave the whole drum area a cleanup.