Clutch Judder '21 6MT - Brand New LCE Performance Clutch

Hey there..

I just had a trained Toyota technician install a new clutch on my 2021 6MT 2GR-FKS. I have only driven 50 or so miles and am noticing clutch "judder" or a periodic vibration/jerky feeling when starting from a stop in first, and then again in second. It is the worst in reverse...

The judder is also more noticeable at low RPMs, which you have to be in when maneuvering in tight spaces (especially in reverse).

Specs on the parts installed:
LCE Performance clutch - https://www.lceperformance.com/Pro-Clutch-Kit-2GRFE-3-5-LITER-2016-2020-p/1053098.htm -------EDITED Wrong part was posted before
Toyota OEM Flywheel - Brand New
Toyota throw-out bearing - Brand New
OEM Flywheel bolts - New
OEM Pressure Plate Bolts - New

I have spoken to both the tech who installed everything and LCE about the "judder" and am just reaching out to the community here to get y'alls thought on whether or not this is normal during the break-in period, or if there should be cause for concern with either any of the parts or the installation. Both the Tech and LCE said to drive it for 500 miles or so for break-in and "see if it goes away", but I don't want to do that if judder on a new install is not normal as I might be causing damage to all the new parts I just paid for...

Is this judder normal on a new clutch during the break-in period? From what I've read, no, it is not normal, but I am throwing this out to the community to see what you guys think???

Thanks for any input you might be able to provide...

 

I’m unfamiliar with that product but have done a lot of clutches and in my experience if it’s not working as intended right away there is a problem. Sounds like someone has someone is praying to the car gods it goes away so they don’t have to fix it for free.

 

Why did you need a clutch on a 2021 to begin with? How many miles do you have?


IMHO, you should not feel clutch shudder in 2nd Gear as there should be next to no slip in that shift. Starting out in 1st and Reverse is a possibility if there was uneven friction material transfer. I have no idea about on a replaced clutch, but have had that come about at times on a well used one. A little bit of clutch slip usually cleans that upm


What is the guarantee on the work? If parts and labor are covered, I wouldn't worry about giving it more miles. The worse that could happen here is that there is some defect in the clutch plate and the garage would be on the hook to swap it. The other parts will be good to go.

 

That's exactly what I'm thinking here. I have only spoken to 1) The installer & 2) The Manufacturer. Both of these parties stand to lose money if there really is an issue with either the installation or the parts that went on. I've spent close to $2,000 on the parts and the install. Clutches from the factory do not do this. I got told by the tech, "Oh, well it's a performance clutch. You can't expect it to be like stock..." Well I agree, but judder is not something one should have right out of the gate. To me, it's maybe an issue with either of the surfaces of the clutch, or flywheel, or a misaligned clutch install. Like I said, I do not want to continue driving it and fuck up all these brand new parts.

Please feel free to comment on how you would go about addressing this issue...

Last thing, I also notice a "whining noise" coming from the transmission area when in gear, at any speed. With the clutch depressed and revving the engine, there is no whining noise...

Any more thoughts?

 

Is it happening as you push in, or let out the clutch?

Or is it happening still as you drive, meaning after you have fully released the clutch and are up to speed?

Could be many things, but it is not normal.

In my experience, if the judder happens as you push in, or let out the clutch, it is the throwout bearing at fault. If it does not resolve soon, they will need to bite the bullet and redo the work.

 

MANY questions, why would you need a new clutch on a 2021 ? A few things can cause clutch chatter when starting out, pilot bearing fault, possible grease on disc or flywheel, faulty input shaft on transmission. highly doubtful on this.
good luck on this !

 

Truck only has 10,500 miles on it.

Reason for replacement is that I've experience what feels like slippage before and since I will be towing a lot and plan to put a Magnuson on to help with that, I decided to just go ahead and put a heavier duty clutch in as prep for those mods. Toyota doesn't warranty clutches as they are "wear items"; plainly stated in their warranties...

 

This happens when letting the clutch OUT and is definitely more noticeable in lower RPM range... A brand new throw out bearing was installed so that everything would be starting new and able to break in together at the same time..

 

After the install of this new clutch, I notice significantly more "whine" when in gear and rolling. This doesn't seem normal to me...

 

Thanks for all your responses... I really appreciate them

 

It may be that the torsion springs in the clutch plate are heavier than stock which can shudder when engaging the clutch too slow. This may be the reason the original clutch needed replacement so soon.

 

Something is not right in there man.
I would go back shove it up there ass and say fix it. Otherwise I need some sort written proof that if I drive 500 miles and the problem doesn't go away then this will be fixed at 500.1 miles with no issues or debating.

I'd also take to a performance shop that specializes in clutch replacement and get a second opinion before I go in to the stealership

 

In my limited experience with race clutches as i have driven other peoples cars with race clutches (they were drift cars)is they do produce what could be considered a judder because its a heavier pedal (pressure plate) and the material grabs quicker. The clutch felt on or off there wasnt much middle ground. I cant confirm if thats your issue.

if you dont resurface your flywheel i could see this happening also.

 

I don't know how many miles you had on your old clutch, but with it being a 2021, I'm assuming not all that many. These trucks have an extremely high reverse gear, which lends itself to slipping the clutch. Slipping the clutch is bad practice and will cause chatter. An aftermarket clutch may be more prone to chatter than a a stock one with a more organic composition. I'm not an expert on this stuff, but mine chatters in reverse if I'm not REALLY careful. Chatter on a new clutch is not normal, but I guess 500mi won't hurt. The reverse in these really is a drawback, so I avoid reverse if at all possible. For example, I used to back into my driveway, uphill, to park. Not sure why, but I did. Now I pull straight in and let gravity get me out. Off road, clutch out all the time. I'd rather stall 10x than slip the clutch on an obstacle. I'm also going to go to 5.29s and am considering the 2Low mod, which should be a must for those that tow.

 

Oof. That is low miles.


Well aware of the warranty limitations.

 

This is kinda where I'm at too. I don't feel like this is normal and definitely do not want to put more miles on the parts if it's improper

Yes, but the clutch occasionally has to be engaged slowly, i.e. when backing into a garage or parking spot... This is normal driving, yes?

 

Definitely getting second opinions. I feel like I got shooed away by this shop, ( this shop was highly recommended by someone in the community whom I trust, btw). If a customer has a concern, and genuinely is just asking, why the shudder after a brand new install, and they say "just go drive it", I immediately am hesitant to trust that shop/tech. I have been told "just go drive it" too many times before by shops that just didn't want to put in the work to properly address a concern...

Not jumping to any conclusions here, just have alarm bells raised and gathering info before driving the truck a lot with potentially either an defective part from the factory, or an improper install. This was quite a bit of cash outlay and also don't want to be kicking the can down the road if there in fact is an issue here...

Thanks for the response

 

flywheel was replaced with a new OEM at the time of install.

"The clutch felt on or off there wasnt much middle ground."
Fair enough, but this is a mild kit, nothing like a two-stage, super heavy pressure plate, or metallic disc

 

The heavier springs in the clutch don’t go well with the accumulator.

 

Forgot to mention this as well.. Accumulator delete installed at time of clutch replacement...