shudder on take off only

[MrWooFarkinHoo]

Hi guys,
any ideas on a shudder on take off - V6 auto standard BT1. I don't take off hard from a stop but the easier I take off the less the shudder but doesn't do it through the gear changes. Could it be worn upper control arms? just guessing here as it is not constant, only on take off.
Thanks in advance

[airforceone]

weres the shudder comin from,? could be centre bearing

[MrWooFarkinHoo]

weres the shudder comin from,? could be centre bearing

definitely from the rear - has new shocks and springs, new panhard bushes. Could possibly be the centre bearing but I thought it would do it constantly even at highway speed if it was the centre bearing, but it doesn't.

[hako]

My own experience is that my Commodore had the shudders from the day I bought it 7 years ago and still has it. I have a brother-in-law who has a wagon and it shudders worse than mine and also has done so since new. If you read the roadtests on Commodores (when new), they all comment on the harshness under heavy acceleration. So as far as I am concerned the shudder is normal. I must admit that a shot centre bearing or rear control arm with bad bushes or soft/broken engine mounts can make the shudder worse, but to go to the expense of replacing components simply because it's thought they are making the shudder worse has to be a waste of money.
If you look back on the history and design of the VN-VS Commodore, you'll find it started out in Europe with much smaller less powerful engines fitted. When GMH took up the design, they fitted an engine with almost double the European horsepower. Heaps of power in a light weight body = harsh.
Like I say, these are my opinions and plenty will disagree.....
Good Luck.

[MrWooFarkinHoo]

Thanks Hako, very informative as usual. I wasn't aware of the europe connection.

[Brett_jjj]

The overseas version (OPEL) that our commodore was based on is a world away from our cars,Holden spent millions in changing and strengthening and re engineering the body for aussie conditions.The first commodores (opels) that were brought here for testing etc, actually broke in half ,they broke at the body or chassis joints and seams,somewhere like that anyway,they also had trouble with the strut towers in the front.I also remember it was all over the news at the time,(the ford fans had a ball with that one,stuff like dont buy a commodore,they are rubbish and will snap in half etc)..Ive got a good video somewhere about the first commodores and what was done to them.The head engineer for holden at the time is on it explaining about the problems holden were having getting the VB ready for aussie conditions.It was project VB or something similar.Apparently they destroyed a hell of a lot of prototypes too, trying to get it right.

[delcowizzid]

centre bearing

[nathanVY]

I had this problem with my VR, took it to shops they all said it's a problem that could'nt be fixed. Replaced the harmonic balancer, did nothing.

Replaced the rear control arms, spot on perfect no shudder.

[MrWooFarkinHoo]

I had this problem with my VR, took it to shops they all said it's a problem that could'nt be fixed. Replaced the harmonic balancer, did nothing.

Replaced the rear control arms, spot on perfect no shudder.

Thanks nathanwright, I'd read somewhere a while ago that it could be rear upper control arms - you replaced the uppers or lowers?

[deXtrous]

Mums car has same thing, it's a little Honda Jazz but it also cannot be fixed. Doesn't seem to impact the car in any way though.

[G-Ride]

I know you say it feels like its coming from the rear but what do your engine mounts look like? My mounts went a few years back and it felt like it was coming from the centre of the car just to the rear of the trans?

[nathanVY]

Thanks nathanwright, I'd read somewhere a while ago that it could be rear upper control arms - you replaced the uppers or lowers?

I replaced my uppers, but if your uppers are shot chances are all the rear bushes are shot. Best bet would be to replace all the rear bushes (upper, lower control arms, panhard, etc) with nolathane and should be sweet.

The problem with replacing just the uppers is that the bushes will wear out quicker of the rest (lowers, etc) are shot too. So best to replace them all at once

always a good idea to check your engine/gearbox mounts too.
to check your engine mounts, start your car put it in drive have the handbrake on and your foot on the brake pedal, have the bonnet open and get a mate to take a look at the engine (or vice versa) and pulse the accel pedal (careful when doing this may cause rubber burning or send you hurtling towards your mate if you're not spot on with the brakes) if the engine lifts up and CLEARS the chassis, then your engine mount is broken.

it will be very obvious if the mount is broken, most engine mounts in older engines will be "stretched" but not broken. expect the engine to lift up a little bit but the mounts only broken if its excessive.

you'd wanna be sure it's not shuddering from the gearbox too, if it does you should be able to feel it through your auto shifter just keep your hand on it as you take off and see if theres an extreme movement there.