I've been noticing lately when starting off (normal driving) in 1st gear the clutch seems to be making a rattling/chattering noise. I'm not getting any jerking sensations through the car that I'm aware of, it just seems to be the noise. As I shift up from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd (and so on) I can't hear it anymore. I have about 5200 miles on it and this clutch noise is a little unsettling to me. Is this type of clutch noise normal for these cars?
thanks,
Mark

 

I've had chatter like what you're describing, since I picked up my car at the dealership in May of 07...even the salesman noticed it on the day I took delivery. It is noticeable at low RPM's in both first and reverse while easing out the clutch....as in, just above an idle while manuvering for parking, etc. I feel that it is just a little bit of throw out bearing chatter and haven't had any side effects from it. It hasn't gotten any better, but hasn't gotten any worse either.....as I keep my ears on it every time I drive the car. Also, seems more noticeable to me at cold start up and less noticeable after the car and trans has warmed up. Post here if you find out any more about this issue....I'd like to know for sure what it is too, even though it really hasn't caused me any problems that I'm aware of!

 

Have had this problem since about 8000 miles and it got progressively worse till about 11000, which is when I took it to the dealer. They replaced the clutch and the problem went away for about 1000 miles then came back(but nowhere near as bad) and hasn't gone away but as sabre said hasnt gotten worse either so I dont know what to make of it. took it back to dealer expecting them to do nothing and thats what they did. I guess I'm just waiting for it to fail or get significantly worse before I spend money on it.

 

Wohoo, another Ford engineering accomplishment.

 

to me clutch 'chatter' is the noticeable vibration in acceleration as the clutch slips/engages erratically(usually due to glazing over from excess slipping or rear main seal oil leak- Ive had both in older vehicles).

if youre talking about the 'sounds like gravel in the gearbox' noises at very low speeds, I think they all do that- seems to be a lot of backlash in the gears, torque pulses/vibration from lugging the engine to very low RPM seems to really rattle the gears...

 

Yes, thats what I'm talking about....it's just the chattering noise. Theres no slippage or anything. I guess thats the way it should be.
thanks.

 

A slight rattle is normal, a chatter you can feel very noticeably.

 

Wait, is this clutch chatter? -> When I ease the clutch out to start moving in 1st, I can feel my clutch grab, then slip, grab, then slip, grab then slip. It just started this morning after having burned the clutch on Saturday night (didn't drive Sunday). To investigate, I tried to induce/maintain the slipping by pulling the clutch out very slowly and maintaining it at the grab/slip/grab/slip location, and I was able to maintain it for about 8-9 grab/slip's while the engine began to build up a violent shake from the oscillation.

I think I can either prevent it or reduce its occurance by adding some gas pedal and easing out the clutch faster. I normally have used no gas when starting in 1st and just feathered the clutch to get the car moving, but this seems to always cause this slip/grab (starting this morning). I don't know if this is the "wrong" way to start moving..

Is this "clutch chatter"?

 

Nevermind.. my chatter went away after 2 days of driving. I think the surface was just temporarily glazed.