Ford C-Max juddering when accelerating

[Car Fodder]

Hi all,

My car: Ford Focus C-MAX (2003 - 2010) 2.0 Ghia 5d Auto

has been "juddering" (for lack of a better word) whenever I accelerate the car. Under gentle acceleration I can almost not notice it, but to actually go faster, or get up a hill - I can feel it juddering. I didn't really think anything of this - many of my cars have had vibrations - but a friend pointed out to me that this always happens when accelerating, no matter the speed and he thinks it might be the clutch. My Dad thinks it might be more related to clutch fluid or something.

My garage suggested it was the brakes and replaced the pads and discs, but nothing has changed - I guess the garage don't actually "drive" the car, so they rely on my description.

So I am hoping someone might know more about this and point me in the right direction...

[GiantCardboardPlato]

If you put the car in a high gear (5th or 6th) on an incline (going uphill), at lowish speeds (starting from 1-2k RPM), and floor the accelerator, what happens?

Watch the rev counter and listen to the engine speed. If the engine speed 'flares' - increases initially and then sinks back down, your clutch is slipping.

ah its an auto, sorry. could be a lot of things then I guess.

[Roboticarm]

Car Fodder said:

Hi all,

My car: Ford Focus C-MAX (2003 - 2010) 2.0 Ghia 5d Auto

has been "juddering" (for lack of a better word) whenever I accelerate the car. Under gentle acceleration I can almost not notice it, but to actually go faster, or get up a hill - I can feel it juddering. I didn't really think anything of this - many of my cars have had vibrations - but a friend pointed out to me that this always happens when accelerating, no matter the speed and he thinks it might be the clutch. My Dad thinks it might be more related to clutch fluid or something.

My garage suggested it was the brakes and replaced the pads and discs, but nothing has changed - I guess the garage don't actually "drive" the car, so they rely on my description.

So I am hoping someone might know more about this and point me in the right direction...

Sounds like you need a new garage to me, explain it to them, they road test, then they diagnose.

Where are you based ? Someone might be able to recommend a good local garage

[GreenV8S]

The symptoms suggest either a misfire, or a cylinder producing reduced power. That's the sort of thing a faulty injector could cause - or a weak spark, if it's petrol.

If the symptoms are repeatable then it should be straight forward for a competent garage to diagnose. If they didn't even take it for a test drive, they probably aren't competent. There are plenty of places that only want basic servicing business carried out by cheap junior fitters since these are easy to schedule and have a predictable profit margin. They may not be interested in these more problematic cases and may not even have the expertise to deal with them.

[C70Rev]

I’ll go for cv joints

Had this in my C70, replaced cv joints smooth as a baby’s a£#e

[M_A_S]

Inner CV joint.

[Monkeylegend]

Had this on one of my automatic E Classes, needed a new torque converter.

Not sure if the C Max has one though.

[E-bmw]

As per the differing guesses above there are many, many possible reasons to explain what you are trying to describe.

These will start with a misfire & go anywhere to a wheel bearing.

You need a proper diagnosis from a competent garage, as in not the one you currently use!

[Car Fodder]

Thanks very much all,

I will try to get my Garage to do better (or go elsewhere) : )

[Peanut Gallery]

Different car I know, but I follow Alan Howatt on Youtube as he keeps Ford Mondeos on the road as taxis.

A recent video he did was about a shudder, grabbing the drive shafts as they came out of the gearbox and shaking them showed the needle roller bearing in the gearbox was no more.

Just an idea!

[hedges88]

C70Rev said:

I’ll go for cv joints

Had this in my C70, replaced cv joints smooth as a baby’s a£#e

Dropped by to say this. The previous owner of my Volvo S40 II has had them done twice according to the service history.

Obviously it could be many things, but it's just one thing to remember that this platform does suffer with

[E-bmw]

C70Rev said:

I’ll go for cv joints

Had this in my C70, replaced cv joints smooth as a baby’s a£#e

Although CVs tend to make noise well before being felt & are generally much more noticeable with lock on the steering, so are normally diagnosed earlier.

Not to say it can't be that, just not my first thought in a straight line.

I would be thinking misfire/engine mounts/DMF.

Have you had the car in for any diagnostics?

[dumfriesdave]

O/S driveshaft has a bearing which is prone to wearing out on these, causing the symptoms you describe.
Had similar with mine.
Driveshaft was around £50 complete with CV joint iirc.

[Bainbridge]

Taking it to a reputable garage is definitely the way forward. If the judder happens under acceleration, I'd be inclined to suspect a misfire, but it needs investigating properly.