Hey guys, I have an 08 manual fit sport.
When initiating movement in 1st gear, it shakes a little, almost like a mix of about to die or at worst potential wheel-hop feel.
I've had it checked by 2 honda shops and 1 dealer. They all claim nothing is wrong and that I should just give it more throttle.
This is far from my first manual car (I've owned 5), so I know how to drive a manual. It just doesn't feel right.
Don't want to burn the clutch up just to avoid the hopping. Heck, even starting off at 3 - 4,000rpm sometimes still has the shaking.
Anyone else have this issue and know what the culprit is? It has 149,000 miles. (I have owned it since 144,000)

 

Somewhat common on manual GD3 Fits. Mine did it too, finally replaced the clutch and all the damper springs in the clutch disk were broken (not sure if that was really the cause). You can probably drive it like this for a long time - I would immediately engage the clutch rather than revving really high.

 

Kinda sounds like my GD3 I just bought with 240k lol, definitely saving up for no clutch, bushings, motor mounts etc.

 

Thank you. Not sure why no shop/dealer seems to realize the clutch is the possible culprit. It is annoying.

 

My 2010 Fit does something that sounds similar to what you're describing. I don't know if it's always done it or if it started happening over time. I generally have to give the engine some revs off the line. If I don't, it will shutter and bounce? Not sure how to describe it. I'm at 130k+ on mine.

Based on the warnings you got here, I'll be investigating the cost on that fairly soon myself.

 

Here's the old clutch disk, with 240k on it. I think this isn't uncommon across many models of cars. The metal that retains the springs wears away, then the springs can contact the flywheel or pressure plate, which eventually wears through them. There were no symptoms other than the shuddering. I did not replace or resurface the flywheel, just slapped a new clutch kit on it, which works fine.

 

Yeah, seems like clutches are often viewed as having only one failure mode - wearing out and slipping. But they can wear out in other ways, like the damper springs which can cause shuddering or inability to completely disengage, which presents as difficulty shifting into 1st gear at a stop.