Flywheel/Clutch Chatter Options

[Coomer]

Does anyone here get clutch/flywheel chattering noises from their car at idle? My car makes a chattering noise at idle unless the clutch pedal is pressed in, and it's worrying me, because it didn't used to happen, and it gradually gets louder as time goes by.

I'm running a JUN 9 lb. chromoly-steel flywheel for a AE86 GT-S, and a Clutch Masters stage one clutch kit, also designed for the AE86 GT-S.

Anyone have any ideas as to what might be going on? The thought of a flywheel exploding in a FWD Celica and ending my life or taking off my legs is very scary.

[macavely]

i get chatter.. wone i let go of the clutch pedal to fast when in nutral.. i here it bounce hard too.. but it didn't stat it after the clutch was broken. in.. you shouldn't have to much to warry about.. aslong as you are still getting grip..

[KAMiX]

Coomer I used to get that with my last clutch. Best way to test it is to drive along slowly in 1st... try to listen for the chatter, and then try pulling your clutch pedal towards you with the front of your foot. If you can lift it up a bit and the chatter goes away, you need to get your pedals readjusted.

Main problem I have now with my clutch/lightened flywheel is that when the car is cold the clutch bites too hard, I have to be real careful because the pedal travel is different and it bites straight away when cold...

[Sev408]

maybe your bolts are comming loose therefore the flywheel is vibrating?

are they torqued to specs?

[celicaman96]

Woah! I get that exact sound. Chattering when idling, but if I push in my clutch it goes away and it doesn't seem to be constant. Thought it was just engine chatter (I have 166,000 miles). I had my clutch replaced a year and a half ago, I wouldn't think it'd be going bad already. Sorry that doesn't solve the problem Coomer, just that I've got the same thing.

Edit: No chattering while accelerating or cruising, its strictly when idling...

This post has been edited by celicaman96: Jul 13, 2004 - 12:10 AM

[ST-204]

[Coomer]

Nah, the AE86 stuff works fine, as long as it's all made for the AE86.

[Slam]

[celicaman96]

[Coomer]

Hmm...my timing belt was replaced about 10,000 miles ago.

[bufferdan]

throw out bearing ?

[Coomer]

[celicaman96]

Hey Coomer, I'm curious how you're going to test the throwout bearing and what happens if in fact it's the culprit. Other than the obvious "replace it" ... Thanks!

[Coomer]

[KAMiX]

If the bearing is faulty, you'll have to jack up your car, open your bellhousing and take the clutch assembly appart! Good fun for all! You can buy a new bearing real cheap ($20 AUD over here) from any decent clutch/transmission store - or even Toyota.

If you do go ahead to replace the bearing (or get a shop to do it - $$) It might be worth taking the flywheel and pressure plate and getting them balanced... If this was not done when they were put on it could definately be helping cause the chattering.

[bufferdan]

throwout bearing SHOULD ALWAYS be replaced when you do a clutch. It sounds like its the throwout bearing to me though. Clutch chatter usually happens when you go to take off and it chatters against the flywheel. The clutch shouldnt be touching the flywheel when the car is in neutral or the clutch is pressed all the way down.

[Coomer]

OK, I played with the clutch fork at idle yesterday and it didn't affect anything.

We did change my throwout bearing when the clutch was changed, and the pressure plate and flywheel were brand new.

[bufferdan]

wierd!

[Coomer]

[Coomer]

I was doing some more reading, and it looks like my flywheel or pressure plate may be loose...looks like my plans for the weekend just got cancelled.

[Sev408]

well thats what i said earlier that they arnt torqued right or are loose.

however i did just see on horsepower tv that if you dont remove the protective sealant on the flywheel that it will cause chattering.

[Coomer]

[KAMiX]

Dude jack the car up and work on the bellhousing from below .. you won't need to support the engine..

I dunno what he means by "protective sealant" there is none on a flywheel (unless he's talking grease in the center of it and that's good). Does ur flywheel have all one surface or does it have inserts like the fidanza ones... if it is one material it would probably be worth getting it machined as it will bite nicer but that's all it will do.

I shoulda taken some pictures when my car was on the lift.. but I was working pretty hard. Like I said before, it is VERY important you have had the clutch plate and flywheel balanced together... this could definately be causing the chatter, even if they are not loose.

This post has been edited by KAMiX: Jul 14, 2004 - 5:47 PM

[Coomer]

[macavely]

[Coomer]

[KAMiX]

ok I thought the mounts would hold it fine. my guy didn't brace it though, he just had the car up on a lift...

[Sev408]

just 2 4x4 blocks and a plywood peice that is thick enough to hold the motor.I put carboard under the 4x4 so it doesnt scrape the paint. In order to drop a trans you have to remove all 3 mounts. therefore the motor must be braced. the 7a has a hook on the side that the rope is tied to.

you can probably brace it from the oil pan but you would need to put a peice of wood in between the jack and the pan so the pressure is distributed.

as far as bracing and pulling the trans we put a jack under it with a peice of wood and we had a rope wrapped around the trans and the board holding the motor so the trans wouldn't just fall down.

also the protective sealant. there is one on flywheels and one on the pressure plate face where it touches the clutch. use brake fluid or paint thinner to remove it. just wipe it on and then wipe it off, its corrosiveness will take the sealant off.


hit me on aim Scheetz316 if you got any questions.

--Scott

This post has been edited by Sev408: Jul 14, 2004 - 10:27 PM

[celicaman96]

Man, I really hope that fixes the problem Coomer, sounds like a lot of work. Let us know how it goes.

[macavely]