engine/transmission shuddering badly on 1st gear, Not sure if clutch or transmission mounts Options

[HectortheRican]

So this has been going on for a little while to a small degree, but it recently got pretty bad after a short road trip in the car. First gear on flat pavement and downhill is generally ok, but I'm getting very bad shudders when disengaging the clutch and applying throttle when going uphill. It sometimes happens on a flat, but it's easier to modulate the clutch pedal to avoid the shudders in that situation.

Any ideas what it could be? I have a hard time believing the clutch is slipping because I don't smell burnt clutch (30,000 miles since summer 2012). Perhaps worn transmission mounts? I'll have to get under the car and visually inspect. I did a gear oil flush back in February with Pennzoil Synchromesh, but I haven't checked the levels since the shuddering began. These are the few scenarios I'm thinking of.

This does not happen in any other gear - not even reverse while backing up a hill. Only in 1st gear.

This post has been edited by HectortheRican: Nov 16, 2016 - 6:21 PM

[richee3]

For what it's worth, 3 of the 4 mounts are on the trans. The rear mount is the most likely to go bad, but the driver side mount bears the weight. What brand of clutch is in the car? New, resurfaced, or lightweight flywheel?

[HectortheRican]

For what it's worth, 3 of the 4 mounts are on the trans. The rear mount is the most likely to go bad, but the driver side mount bears the weight. What brand of clutch is in the car? New, resurfaced, or lightweight flywheel?

Clutch is a basic SACHS OE replacement from O'Rielly and flywheel is OEM resurfaced. When the clutch goes I want to get an Exedy Stage 1 and lightweight flywheel..