yeah I know 15 years later but maybe someone is listening here. Mine is doing same thing only when i let it out the last 2 inches or so after its already engaged. Click. Click. Click click. Click click. On every shift. I tried looking at it while pushing it but since I am not a 3 foot tall monkey. There is no hope at seeing what is causing it.

Anyway did u fix it or sell it?

maybe its time to finally pull the seat out of this thing and back myself under there and make sure its nothing serious. Its just started and I only drive it once a week or so. Thanks for lithium spray tip. I do have some of that for my headlight popup mechanism and garage door rollers so will check if anything is sticking first. Maybe something loose too I hope. Usually its something simple but annoying on these cars

yes getting back out is the hard part indeed! I did not pull the seat. I was able to remove that black plastic kick panel thingy after about 20 mins and 3 times up and down to find wrenches and sockets. Its 8mm on the 3 bolts for those interested in pulling that cover. So its not the switch on clutch for ignition or cruise or whatever that switch does because its further down on push of pedal and actually its only a click on the pedal return back up about 2 inches from top but not yet contacting that switch.

So more of an earnt earnt click and earnt earnt click with each gear shift as clutch goes to floor and back up to top.

Nothing loose in there and spring is new blue With plastic bushings and all ok. in fact all looks brand new up there wires and alll metal for a car with 130k on it

as I shift with my hand I hear a clink clink under the car very very faintly. Maybe thats normal too? Clutch is nearly new according to measurements from that hole you can look into from below, so previous owner must have changed that rubber thing out at say 100k. Shifts real nice except for that damn downshift shudder thing to 2nd which I just never ever do after trying it once. Some freak thing on 944 S2s I guess. I thought the gearbox was gonna drop on the ground. That was five years ago and 30k ago now.

this click seems somewhat benign to me. Maybe I will just drive it and enjoy. Til some washer or bolt falls onto my feet?

If you are just sitting idle in a garage & listen too closely, you'll usually hear some sort of noise; there's a lot of action made with that pedal. But, if you're outside driving at speed and still hear noises on top of the motor & exhaust, I'd say something ain't right.

This shudder you speak of: if, before your downshift, you cruised a little off-throttle, the engine may have cut fuel and re-applied when you completed your downshift (it cuts fuel by design off-throttle). This can result in a very harsh re-engagement, shuddering the whole driveline. Ugly but normal

I have read some threads on this shudder while downshifting into 2nd. Maybe just sign of a newer clutch or possibly this cutting of throttle u speak of. but lots of S2 owners seem to experience it even if u blip the throttle to say 4K and hit it just right on way down. Also theres a shudder in the morning when taking off in first gear for about 3 or 4 stop signs. Then it just clears itself up. It just feels nothing like my last 2 944s or my 924 have ever done. Other S2 owners apparently have same issue. Where my last 2 944s would screech the tires and drop down if I did it just to show off trying to slow from like 60 to 30 quickly and turn onto another street. This S2 doesnt screech and feels like the entire drivetrain will break in half first. So I have not done it since my first few days owning the car. I guess it has more shifting finesse of an older man which I now am. Haha

I am convinced that none of these cars had any sorts of odd issues when new; they would have failed test drives!

I'd be curious if newsgroup posts from the 90s complained of this.

I would guess what we're seeing is common failure patterns due to age. AFMs are going, resulting in whack A/F ratios; clutch parts old; rubber bushings are brittle; bearings have play; etc etc.

In 1990, not one 944 derivative "pulled left on the highway" or "shuddered when downshifting in 2nd" or "hesitated first few km after cold start" and so on.

I don't buy it! Maybe all S2s exhibit similar aging or wear symptoms. I'd bet with a rebuilt engine, new AFM, new DME, new clutch, new trans, new TT, your problem would disappear

:thumbupI would tend to agree when new they never did this. Thats why some think it is a form of one of the aftermarket clutch disks post rubber disk upgrade. If only we didnt have to send our kids to college.

Meanwhile this darn clutch click thing persists. I suppose it will be years before I figure this one out

Now that I reflect on this post compared to my brand new jeep that has its own creaks and rattles it sounds kinda funny. “My 30 year old car makes a little squeak noise now, Why does it do that?” LOL I do love these cars!

For all the aging issues, these cars are relatively well made and quality. For sure! I am reminded of this every time a colleague complains of a suspension or exhaust issue on their 201* whatever car