shudder in first and reverse - 2008 GT500

Is it a shudder or severe wheel hop? The wheel hop is well known and can be almost violent. It is caused by soft bushings in the factory lower/upper contol arms.
Tim

 

I've been reading many stories of clutch problems in some...not all of the new GT500's. Take it to a reliable dealer and they should take care of it under warranty. So far my '07 hasn't shown any signs of the clutch problems some are experiencing, hope I'm one of the lucky ones.

 

I have the same shudder in 1st and reverse. I was told that a fix was being put together and should be ready in the 2nd quarter of this year. Will keep everyone with this problem posted.
For the price of the car it better get repaired...

 

My July 2007 GT 500 has a little shudder when I first release the clutch if I attempt to release the clutch gently from a stop. More of a problem with a cold driveline. The problem seems to diminish after the driveline has warmed up.

 

I too have a shudder/vibration in first when easing off the clutch. I took it in to have it looked at and was told it was the differential clutch slipping. I was told it may just need time to seat, since i only had 500 miles or so on the car.. The dealership said they would look at it again when I came in for my first oil change..

 

The guys I've talked to about the shudder told me basically half the stuff concerning the clutch will have to be replaced. That's suppose to be happening within the next month or two. I would hate to have to call a Shelby a piece of crap because it shudders and dies every other takeoff.

 

It's very unsafe. I was told a repair is scheduled and if it doesn't happen...well Texas has the lemon law. I WILL be going after the dealer and everyone associated with this if it doesn't get repaired. I won't pay this kind of money for something that's a danger not only to me but my family and the lives of other drivers.

 

Thanks for bringing the issue up! I own a 2007 Shelby GT with 3100 miles, and it has the same first and reverse shudder you brought to light in this thread.

It's been years since I owned anything with power and a clutch. But I remember that flywheels that have surface cracks, bad pressure plates or cheap clutch plates would exhibit the same/similar problems.

It had the shudder when I drove it off the lot with 18 miles on the odometer, so please count me in.

 

I read in another forum that some owners eliminated this problem by going to a lower rear gear. With the six speed trans, going to a 4:11 rear didn't really affect highway speeds or have a huge impact on gas mileage. The computer can be reset for the change so the speedometer is still accurate.
I haven't tried this myself but I've been considering going to a lower gear anyhow for other reasons. I had previously posted that I hadn't experienced this problem with my car but I may have misunderstood the original posters explanation of what he's experiencing. I do have slight clutch chatter when taking off under certain conditions like uphill from a standing start. If I change gears hopefully that would eliminate the problem.
I'm not suggesting that everyone needs to change rear ratios, the car should have been right from the factory but if you were contemplating a differential change anyhow, this may be a way to fix the problem.

 

We had a Fun Ford Weekend this past one and I got to talk to several GT-500 owners. Several had the same shudder issue and a couple actually had the clutch go out already at 1400-ish miles. Mine is progressivly getting worse and I'm progressivly getting ticked! Uphill, starts, whatever it's not the ride I paid for. I also contacted Shelby Autos directly and have the email saying this not something they handle but has to go to the dealer to fix. It's a warrenty thing. So I'm giving them the benefit of the days they asked. After that the gloves come off. As far as changing the program I probably will anyway, it's just a principle thing right now. I have a 2003 Mach 1 that's NEVER had this problem. For twice the price the Shelby needs to get fixed.

 

New Car Sales people are NOT trained about the Cars they sell like they were back in the 70's. All they can tell you now is"Its Red, it is a 6 spped, It is a Mustang" and that is about it. They dont know that the Car has a clutch with ceramic plates and is totally different then your normal Clutch. You have to drive the Car totally different then if it had a regular Clutch. You cant ease off the Line when the Light turns Green like you are used to doing. If you slip the ceramic clutch to much, you messed it up and will most likely will need to replace it. Cars with a Ceramic Clutch are not really ment for Stop-N-Go Traffic.

David.

 

thank god someone has some sense.I suppose u will also complain of gear
rollover noise in neutral or supercharger whine.Go buy a lexus if u want
refinement. Obviously uv never driven a ceramic clutch.The only problem,
ford is having is in some shelbys the clutch is dragging and in some cases,
prematurely wearing the clutch.But everything else u all have mentioned is
normal for the car.

 

Mine does it too and they tell me its normal, if you don't give it enough gas and clutch mixture it will shudder every time, but once you get used to it it works like butter most of the time!

 

I have been driving standard cars for most of my life and the only time I have ever seen them shudder is when you don't give them enough gas. That is usually only once and then you learn to not do that any more. HOWEVER this is not a "not enough gas" issue, this is a problem. If that car is shuddering like that FROM DAY ONE, stalling and sounding like its about to go into convulsions, I have an issue. I can baby the clutch or dump it. PERIOD, there is no middle ground in this car. Believe it or not I don't like hitting 60mph in my driveway from dumping it.
Now to answer the "go buy a Lexus..." comment. If I wanted a lexus I would have bought a Lexus. Refinement is not what I'm after. I'm after speed. Pure and simple. That car does 160mph + and can continue it for miles and miles. THAT is why I drive it. Not for show, not for the resale, and definitely not for refinement. To quote the legendary Ricky Bobby "I wanna to go fast..."
That said my 2003 Mach 1 doesn't have the shudder problem.
My Ninja ZX-14 did not have the shudder problem
My wifes Roush does not have the shudder problem.
My wifes VW Bettle does not have that shudder problem
My Jeep YJ does not have that shudder problem.
So why does a car that is suppose to be the top of the food chain have that problem?
Different clutch? Possible...Flawed design? Very possible...I just want a straight answer and I DON'T talk to the salesman. I talk to the service dept. and SVT and SAI.

 

If I am carefull enough I can stop it, but it is a definate issue!!

 

ya, i have the 08 gt 500 convertable, and it took me by suprise at first that it wasnt a smoother takeoff, but there does seem to be a sweet spot between the gas and how you let out the clutch. i think i have mastered it now or if there was a problem with my car it went away.i do agree that with what you pay for a great car like this if there is an issue ford should stand up let it be known and back the product.

 

Picked my 2008 GT500 up yesterday, it had 6 miles on it. I have the shudder/vibration everyone is talking about here upon releasing the clutch in
1st or reverse. At first I thought it was me because it's been 3 or 4 years since I have regularly driven a manual trans, but after having a few people drive it, we all agreed that something is very wrong. I hope I can get this fixed soon and without any hassle. This was the most I have ever spent on a vehicle and I am very disappointed right now.
Does anyone know just what needs to be replaced? Is it just the clutch or tranny or both?

Thanks,

Chip