Reversing shudder...

[F908 Tim]

Hi Guys,

Long time since posting as my S2 is tucked up in garage at pres. Can't pay for the entire ruddy family fleet to have tax/insurance and petrol! Hope back this summer.

My darling has addopted a severe shudder when reversing, shakes the whole car.
Only when engine is hot after a run, no problem when cold.
Suspect I need to change the clutch fluid but all is fine in forward gears. Is it the spigot bearing???
Cluch was inspected a short time ago and as good as new.
Thanks chaps. Hope to be back behind the wheel soon!

[Barkychoc]

I'd guess it could be related to whatever is turning the opposite way to normal when it is in reverse.
I'd look at gearbox and diff mountings as a starting point, and also check the propshaft though I'd expect it to have symptoms when going forwards as well.

Chris

[F908 Tim]

I follow your thinking but the prop has been out and is good and the gearbox seems OK. It only happens when the car has been on a good run so the clutch,gear box,diff and engine are all hot.
Diff mountings are good as they were replaced a year ago.

[ketvrin]

Sorry if this sounds daft Tim but its not your rear drums is it ?

K

[Barkychoc]

Could it be the clutch?
Normally when reversing you tend to slip the clutch to move the car slowly, but when going forwards you just fully engage the clutch and go.
Next time it is nice and hot try slipping the clutch in firstgear and moving the car slowly in the same fashion you would when going backwards parking etc to see if it does it.

Chris

[F908 Tim]

Sounds like two good bits of advice and will check both suggestions. Don't think it's the Drums but it's a thought. Ta both.
Tim

[clarenceboddiger]

ketvrin said:

Sorry if this sounds daft Tim but its not your rear drums is it ?

K

I had this once, oddly it turned out to be a leaky rear wheel cylinder , so maybe!!

[S3 rich]

hello, heard on a thread a few years ago that the clutch will operate smoothly in forward motion but not reverse due to clutch plate wear not allowing smooth biting when hot - mine has always done it in the last 5 years after a good long run, just means when reversing into a packed pub car park you have to cane it in reverse for half a second to get moving, not feather it into a space as the car will judder badly, this is something to do with clutch plate 'fingers' being old/worn or something, i'd recomend not reversing when hot, do a hand-brake turn or similar when entering your local Bernie inn, let the car cool down whislt enjoying a pint of chilled cider, then reverse out gracefully.

just my thoughts.....




Richard

[V8ish]

S3 rich said:

hello, heard on a thread a few years ago that the clutch will operate smoothly in forward motion but not reverse due to clutch plate wear not allowing smooth biting when hot - mine has always done it in the last 5 years after a good long run, just means when reversing into a packed pub car park you have to cane it in reverse for half a second to get moving, not feather it into a space as the car will judder badly, this is something to do with clutch plate 'fingers' being old/worn or something, i'd recomend not reversing when hot, do a hand-brake turn or similar when entering your local Bernie inn, let the car cool down whislt enjoying a pint of chilled cider, then reverse out gracefully.

just my thoughts.....




Richard

I had the exact same symptoms on my olf mk1 escort a couple of years ago and did the above, the car never got any worse, but like Richard says I just gave it some beans off the mark in reverse