2 minor issues with my 2001. I hope minor.

First, as I'm lifting my foot off the clutch, from a dead start, in 1st gear... there is a very subtle vibration that lasts for about a second. I know there's a term for this but I forget what it is... something like clutch "shudder". If anyone knows the proper term that would help me speak intelligently to the dealer. Also, what causes this and about what should it cost to fix?

Second issue... there is a whirring sound coming from the wheels... I say wheels because it's a revolution kind of sound... if I go faster the sound repeats faster. It's so faint nobody would notice it unless they were listening specifically for it and even then they might not hear it. But I do. Would like to deal with it before it becomes a major problem. Most noticeable at 30-40 mph, and more distinct when turning then moving straight, so I think it's coming from the front. Is this wheel bearings? Again, any idea if this is a cheap or expensive fix?

Thanks.

 

1) Sounds like hot spots on the flywheel and/or clutch. Sometimes a few hot engagements can burnish them away - shudder is usually from too much slipping. My NSX had it happen by the idiot who took it off the carrier! They had to replace the clutch because I detected the "judder" (Honda eng'g term) (shudder plus jiggling in the rather flexy Targa egine cradle) on my test drive. Took 2 weeks - boy was i disappointed! Cost Honda over $3000.

2) Might be wheel bearings - I would also check for loose brake caliper retainers. Wheel bearings are not usually speed sensitive, or affected by turning so much (that is usually a symptom of bad CV joints, which you dont have of course) - you should be able to hear them at any speed, and if you jack up a wheel and spin it by hand, the noise should be obvious. So it might be something else.

 

Check the tires for cupped wear. It's fairly normal for directional tires to cup on the inner edge on a S2000. It will sound like a Mud and snow tire "whiring".