Clutch Shudder...

Oil on the plate, Loose engine mounts, Broken Pressure plate springs probably others too but these would be the most common.

Every 1HZ 100 series I have driven has it as a built-in feature.

Yeah, I've got a troopy 1HZ 1995 and had the clutch replaced at about 115000km when I had the gear box rebuilt. Three months later the shudder was there again, but only when cold.

Regards Bob

Hi dornbus,
Clutch shudder is often caused by the lack of give in the springs located in the centre of the clutch plate itself. It is very common with heavy duty clutches, such as those frequently used in trucks and 4WD's. In this case it usually goes away when the clutch warms up. If you have a hot clutch that shudders, then you have a problem such as Notso suggested.
Sometimes it can be overcome with driving technique, but not always.

dornbus
If it started after a trip to frazer I would say that you have glazed the flywheel & pressure plate from the torque loads driving through the sand. especially if you where using high range and low revs. The clutch would have been slipping but not enough for it to be obvious to you.
Bob

Clutches started shuddering when they stopped using asbestos. Mine just shudders when its cold.

cheers
phil

many things can cause a clutch to shudder when its released. One of them as mentioned before is check for broken or worn engine mountings. Also check your gearbox mountings. I have a V6 4Runner and its had an inherrint clutch shudder alway when cold, but goes away when hot. Sometimes there could be a slight oil leak from the rear main bearing causing engine oil to seep out onto the clutch plate. Also a gear box front oil seal will have the same effect. The modern clutch is a "girlys" clutch in that the day of having a spring loaded pressure plate, they have done way with those in favour of pressure plates that have "fingers" all round the exterior of the plate. When you engage the clutch the thrust bearing spins on these so called fingers. It only takes for a couple of fingers to be worn or bent/buckled from overheating and that results in a permanent clucth shudder. My problem was solved when I bought an aftermarket Heavy Duty clutch plate and pressure plate last year in Februaury, and since then the shudder has gone completely. Whils the box was out I replaced the rear main oil seal ,and the front gearbox seal. No more problems since then. I migt add in conclusion that I aslo replaced the flywheel as a matter of precaution and had the whole assembly balanced. Now she is fine

A couple more possibilities;

Clutch plate "loose" on splines. It wobbles as it has to much play and not a nice sliding fit.

Clutch plate is thin and not running true. Sometimes when a non standard "el-cheapo" replacement is fitted you find the dimensions are different from the original.

At idle, gently push in clutch pedal. Do you hear/feel any vibration noise as contact is made with flywheel? Or is it only when full contact pressure is applied?

From what the other posts say sounds like sand is your problem but don't forget to check the spring shackle pins and bushes for wear and gearbox mounts as well.