Hi I've got a horrendous clutch chatter on my '73 3 speed. Its mostly upon engagemant from stop to first gear, and 1-2, 2-3 is significantly smoother. What could the problem be? I believe that the clutch was repalced about nine years/5,000 mile ago. Also, there is a "mechanical" noise coming from the right front corner when the car is moving. Could this be a hub bearing going? I believe that they have not been greased for at least 10 years. One more; how do I improve gas mileage other than with air/oil filter changes? I've been getting +/- 10 with conservative driving. Thanks
Could be the wheel bearings or ball joints. Changeing the oil filter won't do anything for your gas mileage. Sounds like your car needs a full tune up. New points, spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor. Check the timeing...
If you press in the cluch pedal while it is chattering does the sound go away? I had this problem on my old yellow Grabber. The throw out bearing came loose and it was spinning freely on the input shaft making quite a bit of racket. If it is chattering while while the clutch is pushed in then I have no idea ...
More than likely you have a problem with the clutch assy. or the flywheel. If the wheel was not surfaced when they changed the clutch, and it was heat checked or had gotten hot from slippage, this will cause a chatter. A cheaper brand of clutch assy. could be the cause, if the lining on the disc is failing etc. An old trick we used when I was a young pup and could not afford a new assy, was to find a very sturdy object like a phone pole and then run the front bumper against it. Put the car in high gear and slowly let the clutch out while increasing rpm's. This would sometimes smooth out any imperfections on the disc and pressure plate surface. Not the best thing to do if you are not familiar with how far you "slip" the clutch without causing serious further damage. Check your rear motor mount too, it may be broken. Sounds like a wheel bearing if it is grinding or sqealing, or is it a banging or thumping like a ball joint as mentioned earlier?
I've had clutches chatter even after putting new clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot and throw out bearings, and had the flywheel resurfaced. Mostly this has occurred with a remanufactured unit. Never had a problem with brand new stuff. Unfortunately, its hard to find new clutch parts for a 6cyl. Almost all of it is remanufactured.
Thanks for the tips. The problem only exists during engagement, although there is a "mystery" grinding noise when the clutch is pushed is and the ckoke is on. Apparently, some goons at a local shop replaced the clutch, so that might explain the whole problem; probably never touched a clutch before.........
