Clutch Chatter!!!

[ratz1984]

I have some pretty nasty vibration (which I assume is clutch chatter) when taking off from a stop, but only after continuous driving of 30 minutes or more. The only way I can get a reasonably smooth takeoff is to rev it (2k ish) upon takeoff. Does this sound like a clutch problem, or is it flywheel related? I don't have any engine mods, and don't plan on doing any as my 2002 Protege 5 is used as my everyday driver. Are the exedy stock replacements any good? My brother has one in his subaru legacy outback and I'm not so impressed with it in his car...

[ratz1984]

Haha, bump... no one? I ordered the exedy stock replacement already, but any input on this being the solution?

[NCZ13]

updates? i had the same issue, and i just replaced my clutch with OEM exedy

[SleepyMSP]

This is your clutch chattering and basically bouncing off the flywheel causing the whole thing to shake violently....unfortunately this is thanks to Mazda engineers sleeping on the job...yet again...the stock clutch on the MP3/P5/ES and even with the MSP...your best bet is to replace the stock clutch and have your flywheel resurfaced. The cheapest solution you'll find is the exedy stock replacement version, some people like it, some don't.

Other people say to get the next level up from the OEM replacement (Exedy, Spec, ACT, etc...) for a little added feel, that is designed above OEM standards

[NCZ13]

so the OEM exedy fixes the problem? i have a brand new flywheel istalled too

[SleepyMSP]

no its the clutch that's the problem here, replacing the clutch will fix the problem...

[NCZ13]

oh ok. i thought it was the mazda clutch in general causing the issue.

[justanothermp5]

umm i have the same problem, and i have a spec stage 1
pretty sure i got my flywheel resurfaced at the same time too

it sucks, the chatter is so violent at times that my stock j pipe actually snapped off at the flange on one side
hopefully my new j pipe should be here tomm and that'll fix the loud noise i get when it chatters

[NCZ13]

yeah but i think ive people had issues with the spec clutch. how are your motor mounts?

[ratz1984]

Well, I ended up having the exedy stock replacement clutch installed and my flywheel resurfaced (mechanic said it was pretty burnt up) and now no more clutch chatter even after a 4 hour drive, and some downtown driving (which is when it would always be it's worst). So problem solved I would say... The only thing I've noticed is that the clutch engages much closer to the floor than before. Is this normal? Mechanic said it's because it's a new clutch and will eventually return to a more normal engagement point... Should I just adjust my pedal travel?

[justanothermp5]

yeah but i think ive people had issues with the spec clutch. how are your motor mounts?

my motor mounts? i have the side inserts and i checked the front and back the other day and they are still good, no tears in them, i have the corksport inserts for the front and back but i can never get the freakin motor mount off

[spotthedogg]

I have the same issue and I have a Fidanza flywheel and a clutchmasters stage 2. I am so disappointed, I expected it to be gone. Awr front mount and rear inserts. Now I am losing fluid somewhere and everything is dry, clutch feels different every bloody day.

[ismellrealbad]

I also have this issue. I replaced mine cuz i wanted a more agressive feel and i was at 130k on the stock clutch. I put in the spec St 2 and I have chatter out the ass now. very very dissapointed. I also resurfaced the flywheel. you should do it every time or replace it.

[ratz1984]

Check your motor mounts / transmission mounts. This could possibly help your situation.

[cougar10agREDUX]

i have a exedy stage 1 with a fidanza flywheel, love it, no problems engaging at all. pedal is noticably heavier.

and yes the pedal engagement will be low. it moves higher as the clutch disc wears.

if you slip the clutch a lot you can glaze the surface of the disc which will cause chatter and notchy engagement. which requires disc replacement. you can try to do a few high rpm clutch dumps to try to burn off the disc surface. lol. some people say it works others say it's not worth the amount of stress put on the driveline. i've done it once when i had an integra and it helped a bit. haha