I also have the bad clutch stutter problem on my 01 Subaru

 

Like others, it occurs in low gears usually right after start up. It goes away, but while it's going on, it's damn dangerous.

 

I would NOT recommend any model years that share a clutch with 01. Before you consider buying a Subaru make sure they address your remedies for this problem up front. Once you're stuck with the problem, SOA appears to want to ignore it.

123K on my original cluth and counting. My Impreza is the best car i have ever owned. I love it. Will never trade or sell it.

 

What my clutch lacks in smooth uptake it has more than made up for in longevity.

It's my understanding that it's just the newer clutches ( 2000 and later ? ) that have this problem.

 

Glad to hear you've got so many miles on your 97. Something in the newer clutches has created a new problem

Our dealer told us the newer clutches are "weak". He did say that WRX's have better ones. So, can a WRX clutch go into a 02 Forester?

Cheeze, what a flail! Word to the wise about SOA: THEY DO NOT GIVE A RAT'S A-- WHAT YOU THINK, WHAT PROBLEM YOU HAVE OR EVEN WHAT YOU HAVE FOUND THAT SOLVES A PROBLEM! It is called NIH. Not Invented Here. It has no merit if they did not think of it. I took pictures and bitched to the dealer and SOA about my 2001 Forester with its droopy, hanging-down kink in the exhaust pipe and got no where. They quietly made the pipe straight in the 2003. This has nothing to do with clutch shudder and everything to do with how those people operate. One of you will find the solution and pass it on & the rest of us will be able to fix our cars properly. They will quietly fix the problem on the new models and leave us to twist in the wind. Remember, NIH. Taught in all the finer engineering schools around the world.

Based on my experience, SOA is not interested in fixing the clutch shudder.

During my last service visit, the dealer was able to diagnose some shudder, but due to the mileage they would not cover the repairs.

 

SOA admitted the problem long before the vehicle exceeded its warranty period, they should (if they were responsible and concerned) repair the clutch. Of course they will not, so I'm going to sell the car and never buy another Subaru.

I have the fix, my clutch was replaced 2-3 times before SOA came out with the fix. It has been over 3,000 miles and the shudder is gone!!! I went through a lot of trouble to get this done, but I beat those SOBs at SOA and I am very pleased with all of our efforts. SOA definetly has the fix, so do not let them tell you otherwise. IF any problems just give them a printout of this thread and call SOA directly with your demands. I am just happy I can enjoy my car now finally. Also I want to know what happened to those people who reported it was our driving that was causing the clutch to shudder? What a joke!!! We are victorious.

z

Lesbaru, The WRX clutch is no better, IMHO. I've experienced Clutch studder since 6k miles, had a new clutch @ 24k... studder started back @ 25k...... get it every morning, or every time the car is cold. Aggravating!

I'd give half the life of my Subaru motor for a longer lasting transmission in Subarus!

(Subaru motors can go forever... Their transmission related stuff? Nope.. they have their share of problems... aka SVX)

Just my $0.02

I change my previous statement.. just found this... <img src="http://pinkbox.cjb.net/image/03_51_02.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

Cool!

Thanks! This is just what we needed!

 

Kaja

As always, glad to help

My WRX has this same problem.. I'll be getting a new clutch soon.. once I find a good dealer that will do it!

Billy

check back on my post in Evil 02 chutch. when they changed mine they put in the latest disc and it ends with 851. It is still working at about 1200 miles, but that isn't much of a test.

Here ya go fella's........go get 'em!

I got this from over on the NASIOC Forum.

 

<img src="http://pinkbox.cjb.net/image/03_51_02.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

I took the TSB to my dealer, and walla, I got it back the next day. We'll see if the problem comes back. Thanks for posting the TSB.

 

I'll post again after few thousand miles and let everyone know if this really did fix the problem.

Be AWARE, The TSB pasted does NOT contain the part numbers for a US built Subaru. My buddy in my dealers parts dept. comfirmed this.

It DOES however, lead the Service Dept to contact Subaru to get the proper parts for a US Built vehicle as there is a TSB for the US, but the local service dept's are either not aware, or not forthcoming with the information unless you "push" them or present them with a copy like the one above.

THANKS TO ALL ON THIS BOARD!!!!

After 5 months and 10K miles on the updated clutch parts in my 01 Outback I can attest that the new version has totally changed the drivability of my car. For the entire first 2 years (and over 40K miles) of owning this car that original clutch was a disaster on cool, damp days; impossible to drive smoothly. The new clutch has not given me the slightest indication that it wants to shudder under any conditions. Overall, I'm VERY pleased with the fix, just not so pleased that it took so long to get here!

 

Brian

I have a 2001 Outback Sport and have had the shudder problem as well. I also have a problem with the clutch linkage binding/groaning at the bottom of the travel after the car has warmed up. I'm on my second clutch. The first was replaced at 16,000 miles. The shudder went away but now has returned (at 30K now) and the binding is back. The dealer couldn't duplicate the shudder problem and replaced the clutch because of the linkage binding. The mechanic had told me he'd seen this binding before and said he could lubricate it but that it would probably come back. I'm going to go for the new clutch but was wondering if anyone else is having the binding/groaning problem?

 

The TSB says it's for 2.5L engines. Mine is a 2.2L? Is that a US vs. Australia difference?

 

Thanks to everyone for all the info here.

 

Gary

ferret - if you look closely at the date on the bottom of the TSB it is written 01/15/03 which the American date style and also in the notes section it refers to Legacy's we do not get the Legacy in Australia we have the Liberty.

 

I don't know where your buddy got his info from?

If you click on the blue square on this page for a brief explanation and make a note of the TSB number, it is the same as the one posted here on the forum and this link is to the SOA site:

techinfo.subaru.com/html/ixSearchKwBu.jsp?model_year=2000&vehicle_line=Legacy&transmission=MT5&engine_size=2.5+Liter&drive_train=AWD&publication_type=3&text_keyword=&keyword=clutch

Subyroo, After my trip to the dealer, and my buddy checking, I now have parts on order for installation next week. Both the Dealer doing the service AND my buddy said the parts listed in the TSB for the clutch and flywheel don't match any parts currently in their parts system(s). The dealer had to contact SOA in Cherry Hill NJ for the parts to be used for the warranty repair.

YES the TSB IS otherwise accurate and I Thank You Many time over for posting it. After the repair, I will post back with the parts on the invoice.

I have fought this issue now for almost 2 years only to be told, "thats just how these clutches are". Well after 5 previous Subaru's (starting with a 78DL) and all being stick shifts, this is the Worst clutch I have driven to date. (even worse than my 64 chev 6 cyl 3 sp on the column).

So I can't emphasize enough how grateful I was to see this.

G'day ferret,

 

kevinsUBARU of this forum informs me that the part number for the Disc is not as per the TSB either it has the last digit changed to a 1ie it now reads 30100AA851 so they appear to revised the part number again since the TSB was released.

 

I too am glad that you are getting your clutch replaced, mine pissed me off something chronic after owning a Holden VL Commodore for 14 years and running up 387,817kms (240,977 miles) before I sold it to a mate and bought my Liberty (aka Legacy) in Dec 2000 and the VL is still running around with the original clutch in it.

 

But this Suby clutch was pitiful to use, the replacement one great to use, it is lighter on the foot than the old one and feels lovely and smooth AT THE MOMENT, but time will be the judge if it is successful.

when I had it brought up to the TSB standards. A little over 2,000 miles so far and it seems to be the way the car should have left the factory.

So, what's the scoop on the new 2003 clutch parts? Will they work on a 2002 OB wagon? How's the new performance???

 

My dealer seems willing to put in the new clutch parts on my 2002 OB, but thought the fix was only for the WRX. I let the service manager know I had a bulletin in front of me (the one that was posted -thank you all!). She is about to put a new one in the WRX and will keep an eye on it. Still have 16,000mi to go, anyway, so if everyone says this is the fix, I'll get it done, too.

 

RTP373

I've put almost 10K on my new clutch that was installed in December, right after Subaru first made the redesigned materials available. The difference is amazing -- for 40,000 miles I was forced to put up with a HORRIBLE clutch that was impossible to drive smoothly while the dealer (and many people on this board) claimed it was not a "defect". Finally, the problem seems to have been solved. I just wish the fix came 2 years ago before my faith in Subaru's durability was shaken.

 

The new clutch has totally eliminated the shuddering that had become common when starting out in 1st gear...if you haven't had yours updated yet, DO IT!! The change has been remarkable.

 

Brian

I forgot to address your first question: YES the parts are for the Legacy/Outbacks, not the WRX. Mine is a 2001 Outback.

 

B

Clutch/Pressure plate AND Flywheel replaced Yesterday 5/13. After just 1 day, THIS IS HOW THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN FROM DAY 1. Clutch p/n is same as above, but different Flywheel (maybe because I have an 02 Forester). I would have thought them All to be the same.

Oh well.....I am Very Pleased See me smile.

Thanks to all, Especially you Subyroo, for posting that TSB. without it, I would yet be fighting the dealer who hadn't a clue the TSB existed.