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MG MGF Technical - TF intermittent transmission judder - FIXED!

Some may recall that I and a number of others have experienced intermittent transmission/clutch judder immediately after a cold start. My own TF has had this for 4 years now (since I bought it at 12 months old) and numerous trips to the dealer failed to resolve it in the good old days of a warranty! I've tried all sorts from ECU remaps to leaving the ignition on before starting up!

Last month I noticed that my clutch seemed to be sticking slightly after being left in the cold overnight (didn't return quite as solidly as it should) so I spent an hour or two in the cold and dark one night lubricating the clutch release arm where it enters the gearbox. This is well documented in the archives as a problem which causes a sticky clutch pedal. It did solve that problem, along with making the clutch lighter than it's ever been - but it has also completely eliminated the clutch judder I've suffered for 4 years! I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but it's been fine now for a month. There was no visible corrosion, nor has the clutch ever been "sticky" until last month.

If you have the judder problem, I strongly suggest you lubricate the release arm. It's possible but not easy to get at from the engine bay due to the number of pipes and hoses which get in the way, but if you put the car on stands you can get the nozzle of an oil can to the recess in the gearbox housing where the arm enters or point a well-aimed can of spray grease or light oil at the area from underneath. My guess is that some cars have inadequately sealed and/or lubricated arms which gradually get stiffer. This isn't to the point that the clutch is felt to stick, or is even noticably heavy, but is bad enough that the clutch doesn't always release smoothly causing judder.

Cheers,
Tim
T Jenner

What a relief Tim - this had been going on for quite some time hasn't it? Fingers crossed you've got it licked now! :o)
Rob Bell

Hello Mateys! I'll give this a try as mine still does it after being really hot and caught in traffic in the morning - the first few pull-aways in the evening will always be a judderfest!!!! It is currently in bed away from the salt but when things warm up a bit it can join the Saab on my commute again.
Tony

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2009 and 06/01/2009

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