Shudder when Accelerating (Manual Transmission)

[Zgadson]

Question:

My 2002 V6 5-speed seems to be having an issue with acceleration, fact being, it doesn't like to. With the clutch disengaged, and when accelerating normally from a stop, the whole car shudders and feels as though the fuel pump is malfunctioning. (I don't believe that's the case, but just to give an idea of what it feels like.) The clutch is very loud, and I had to remove the dust cover from the clutch linkage under the car because it was ratteling something fierce when the clutch was not engaged. The linkage should be 100% stationary, but it has about an inch of wiggle room (thus loudly tapping against the dust cover when the clutch is not engaged).

Could this be a throw out bearing or something else? (This is my first Mustang, and my first 5-speed, so I don't know what to expect here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.)

 

[AaRoN]

When did it start?

Does it only happen under normal or heavy acceleration?

How long does it last? The whole time you're accelerating?

 

[Zgadson]

Delayed response... haven't been online in a while.

Yes, it happens under both normal and heavy acceleration - especially when starting from a complete stop and going up hill (studders to the point of almost dying). It last the whole time I'm accelerating. I also have no SEL.

I was told the problem could be the flywheel, MAF/IAC, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, o2 sensors, etc, but I can't afford to go blindly throwing money at this car to replace parts that are fine. I know I need to have a shop look at it, but I don't have time.

EDIT: It started happening about a month ago, not too long after I had the throw out bearing replaced (and tranny fluid changed, of course), but I'm really hoping it's not transmission related. I can't afford to fix another tranny F*up.

 

[Zgadson]

Anyone???