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Just got a 97 manuel civic and when I shift gears my car lunges back and forth like when someone is learning standard. I lifted my front wheels and when I spin the tires back and forth there is play before it catches inside the transmission. Is this normal and could this be causing the car to lunge back and forth? Thanks

 
Rep Power: 217

If both tires are off the ground and you spin them, they will spin until there is no momentum left. I don't know if we're talking about the same thing though. When you shift, how exactly are you releasing the clutch? Are you just dumping it? How off are you on the revs? If you're completely off, this would cause that bucking.

 
Rep Power: 188

With the wheels off the ground, engine off, transmission in gear, you will get some play if you try to spin the tires back and forth. I have no idea how much play is normal.

It will be a good idea to check the play in the CV joints, they should not have any play.

Maybe you are not used to engaging the clutch smoothly enough.

 
Rep Power: 314

Check your engine mounts.

 
Rep Power: 367

Me thinks you looking at non-related stuff - wrong direction... as Tbohar stated above.

From another thread today:

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...press-gas.html