I think it is Obvious MSP's Don't Like COLD weather!

[gotdlife]

Was about 3 degrees this morning. I let the car warm up for a good 15 minutes atleast. Backed the MSP out and here a nice thud from the front when I turned the wheel. Wasn't first time has happened so wasn't really alarmed. Got to end of driveway pulled out another thud. Then felt like I was driving with a square wheel on the front left. LOL hopin up and down. This had happened before but never this bad. I was almost convinced my tire was flat but knew that couldn't be since the car would be pulling bad.
I did learn before NEVER get on that car at ALL when is cold really cold out (especially if you have the wheel turned). I did twice and thought the front end of my car was gonna detach and fall apart. As a side note I mean i wasn't really getting on it I just gave it some decent gas no place near full or prolly even medium throttle. I don't know if the LSD just goes haywire or if it is cause the struts and stuff are so cold they not function good. But the car bucked like I have never seen.

After a few miles it seems the suspension comes unfrozen or whatever and rides normal.

I guess that sucker is just so tight it about binds up when the temp is really cold.

I can't wait for SPRING! I need to buy me some cheap jeep or something for winter!

[Keith@FP]

It was probably just a flat spotted tire. Some tires do this quite dramatically. It goes away when the car warms up.

Keith

[gotdlife]

Good point that would really cause some violent feedback if you accelerated decently.

[Newf]

winter tires or bridgestones?

I found when my dunlops got cold they have this weird feeling to them as well until they warmed up.

[gotdlife]

They are the stock potenza's. Guess I best check the air pressure in them make sure is okay. Any clue what the Pop is when I turn my wheels first couple of times? Is like a heavy clunk or pop from the front end. I am not dry steering it either.

[scott42]

I had what I think is the same problem with my MP3...felt like the engine was going to drop out of the car...ended up getting most of the transmission replaced...(clutch, flywheel, pressureplate)
This is taken from the TSB that resulted in my stuff being replaced...I gave them pretty much the same symptoms...

Some vehicles may exhibit a clutch chatter or judder when releasing clutch during cold conditions. This may be caused by the flwheel and clutch cover surface materials creating a chatter or judder during clutch engagement. The flywheel and clutch cover has been revised to correct this concern. 1. Verify customer concern. 2. Remove the manual transmission according to the following Workshop Manual procedure: * 5 Speed: MANUAL TRANSMISSION REMOVAL/INSTALLATION M25M-R (section 05-15A-3). 3. Remove clutch disc, clutch cover and flywheel according to the Workshop Manual procedure CLUTCH UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (section 05-10). 4. Install new clutch disc, clutch cover and flywheel according to the Workshop Manual procedure CLUTCH UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (section 05-10). 5. Reinstall the manual transmission according to the following Workshop Manual procedure: * 5 Speed: MANUAL TRANSMISSION REMOVAL/INSTALLATION M25M-R (section 05-15A-3). 6. Verify repair. Part(s)Information: Part Number Description Qty Notes FP01-16-410A-9U Clutch Cover 1 1.8L FS05-16-410A Clutch Cover 1 2.0L FP49-11-500A Flywheel 1 1.8L FS01-11-500A Flywheel 1 2.0L B633-16-460A-9U Clutch Disc 1 1.8L FS06-16-460 Clutch Disc 1 2.0L Note: Make sure the dealer contacts DAG to specify order the above parts.

Here's the link...look under clutch chatter...
http://web2.airmail.net/emann/protegefaq/tsb/

[gotdlife]

Thx for the info. But it does happen when the clutch engages. It happens mainly when i turn the wheel and take off. Like out of a parking space or a driveway.

It really seems to be coming from one of the wheel areas. Like this morning sounded like the front left side. Like I said as soon as it is warmed up or had gone few blocks is a nonissue. I really think it just cause the suspension is already very tight and cold weather makes links even tighter i imagine.

Is why I like the warranty. If becomes and issue then no big worry makem fix it.

[Newf]

can't say I ever had that...yet.

[Gyre]

So it doesn't happen in a straight line?

If it was all the time I would have gone with the flat spotted tire. I'm not talking wear. The tire gets cold and the side it was sitting on is flattened and if cold enough the tire is stiff enough to keep that flat spot until it warms up. It's quite a surprise the first time you're somewhere cold enough for it to happen if you've never seen it before.

[Dexter]

i know what you are talking about, i think. i hear a loud donk or clank or whatever u wanna call it in the morning when im pulling out of my spot, and turning the wheels. its gone by the end of the block though, so im sure its just the cold weather.