Capri Technical Forum:

I'm experiencing extreme judder in the drivetrain as I pull away in my 1981 2.8i. Seems worse when attempting to reverse up a slight gradient feels like the car's going to fall apart. Once on the move everything is normal. Crawling in slow traffic can be a nightmare though - stop starting etc.

There's very little backlash in the axle, prop bearings have been replaced, my next stop really is the clutch?

Any suggestions?

what are the prop UJ's like?
i had a similar thing on mine years ago, one of the UJ's was stiff

I had a good look at them whilst changing the bearing on the prop and couldn't find anything obvious. I'm not 100% that it will be the clutch, I changed the engine and fitted a 5 speed box(fitted used clutch that came with the engine) when I restored the car, the judder was still there as it was with the original engine and box? This would then point to prop/axle, or a problem with both clutches on old and new set up?

engine and gear box rubber mounts ok?
rear brakes dragging?