Clutch Shuttering

[Rexer]

Yes, I have read over the FAQ on this subject, but I am wondering from people how much shuttering is normal for the stock clutch. I have a 92 with just over 11k miles. The clutch never seems to slip when driven hard - just shutters from the start in 1st gear. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[nsxtasy]

Have you tried the technique recommended in the FAQ - to blip the throttle, then let the clutch out while the revs are dropping?

 

[Rexer]

Yes, i have tried that but it still seems to shutter at any RPM over 1000. The only way I can decrease it is to really release it very slowly until fully engaged prior to accelerating. I am just hoping the clutch isn't bad or if all NSX's with the dual clutch plates are known to shutter.

 

[huyduchoang]

I have the same problem when its not properly engaged. I let it catch fully under 1200rpms and take off. Then again my clutch is original with 80k miles on it. Its normal for an old clutch like mine

 

[hlweyl]

Clutch shuttering isn't normal. It could be that you are letting the clutch out too slowly.

Try letting it out quicker at a very low rpm and do it as the revs are dropping (as stated earlier)

 

[Rexer]

It seems to shutter more when I try to let the clutch out as the revs are dropping. I have tried fast and slow and it always seems to shutter. Other than that the car drives perfect. The clutch doesn't slip and it shifts great.

 

[sjs]

Agreed, not normal regardless of age or miles. Your description of letting out very slowly is the worst thing you can do to a clutch (short of having it partially engaged to hold on a hill, which doesn’t 't even count as normal usage). In fact, if the prior owner did the same for 10k miles is it probably the cause of the shudder. If it occurs even for someone who knows the proper technique, which is not significantly different than any other civilized street car, then the disks and/or plates are probably heat damaged from excessive slip.

 

[Rexer]

Anything to do other then replace the clutch? Will it hurt the car to drive it?

 

[sjs]

Anything to do other then replace the clutch? Will it hurt the car to drive it?

Assuming it is the clutch, then nothing to do but replace it. Any attempt to clean and resurface is too risky in terms of labor cost. There really isn't any harm in driving it as-is, but the time to stop is when it slips under load, assuming you plan to go aftermarket next and hope to recover the core charge. There is always a chance that a spring will pop out of a disk or something and leave you unable to shift, though probably not much more likely than normal if it just suffered from slip related heat. But all this is guessing until you pull it out.