Clutch stutters in first gear.

I bought a 2001 S-Runner six months ago. 120 k miles on it. I have to push the clutch all the way to the floor to get good disengagement. It had a mild stutter when starting in first gear and still does. I assumed it was me not being used to the clutch. Anyway, its not me. If I baby the clutch, its barly noticeable. The previous owner told me the clutch had been replaced. Would the flywheel not being resurfaced cause this? Can the hydraulic part cause this? Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks, Rockit

 

Your throw out bearing/pressure plate/friction disc are at the "end of life" , also check/R&R rear main seal (leaking & blowing oil on to clutch parts) ,, Ahemmmm.. tooo many burn outs ....


P.S. I don't know about that "new" clutch the previous owner told you about, & yeah if your flywheel was warped that bad it would have a tendency to "chatter" but from the other conditions you describe I'd say he was full of shit & your current assembly is indeed... on its way out...just my .02..

 

I would try bleeding the slave cylinder first, there maybe air in there. Generally when the clutch wears out, the disc gets thinner, meaning you don't have to push so far down to disengage it.
But if its not worn and the pressure plate and fly wheel are warped to shit (from too many burn outs) , then they could be engaging the disc no matter how far you push the pedal.