Possible flywheel issue?

[ZeusDaCat]

So the PO had the clutch replaced at a shop and it looks like they used the LUK clutch kit (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4695855&jsn=3) as well as a MOPAR clutch release fork spring (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NMFHEW/?tag=wranglerorg-20).

The clutch pedal is easy enough to push down, but when I'm releasing the clutch pedal it feels like it starts to bind and is not easy to smoothly have it fully engage as you get to the top of the pedal motion (especially when going from stopped into 1st). Additionally, unless I give it some extra revs it feels like there's a bit of chatter on take off, I've already replaced the motor and transmission mounts as the old ones seemed shot. I also believe the PO replaced the master and slave clutch cylinders.

The kicker is, the shop that the PO took it to resurfaced the flywheel and I've read on here that it's not recommended to do so. I've also seen some threads that point to the LUK throwout bearing not being as good as it once was? Do you all think the flywheel could be the culprit for both the chatter and pedal stickiness when fully engaging the clutch or is there something else I should look into?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The shop screwed up, the Jeep Factory Service Manual specifically says not to resurface the flywheel. It has a unique dome shape on its surface that resurfacing will remove.

Section 6 page 8 of the Factory Service Manual... scroll down to see where I highlighted that information.

 

[ZeusDaCat]

Yeah I've seen you comment on quite a few other threads about this haha, do you think the flywheel being resurfaced is the root cause for some of my issues?

I think the first thing I'm trying to diagnose is the clutch pedal feeling like it's getting sticky at the top of it's release and nowhere near as smooth as I'd expect. One problem is that I could be comparing it to my manual '21 GTI so maybe my expectations are off?

 

[ZeusDaCat]

Or, could any of this be attributed to the Jeep being lifted without a TC drop or a SYE and new driveshaft? I plan to drop the transfer case for now just to help with the slight vibrations and maybe that help resolve this issue

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yeah I've seen you comment on quite a few other threads about this haha, do you think the flywheel being resurfaced is the root cause for some of my issues?

What do you think I am thinking there after having given my opinion and the page out of the FSM?

 

[tnjeepguy]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-install-a-clutch.2692/

Good video. ("What are you thinking when you look like that ??" wife says)

 

[ZeusDaCat]

What do you think I am thinking there after having given my opinion and the page out of the FSM?

Haha thanks, I blame it being a Monday and why I'm slower than usual

 

[tnjeepguy]

What is the OEM flywheel (Amazon) ? About as inexpensive as resurface anyway, huh ?

 

[ZeusDaCat]

What is the OEM flywheel (Amazon) ? About as inexpensive as resurface anyway, huh ?

Yeah that's the crazy thing, they charged the PO $68 for the resurface and the replacement is $77 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003K0XO64/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[ZeusDaCat]

Looks like I have a fun weekend project ahead of me . I wonder if I should just buy one of the aftermarket transfer case cable shifter kits while I already have the trans dropped and I'm already down there

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Realize the flywheel rarely needs replacing and then only when it somehow became damaged from something coming apart next to it. I pulled my flywheel off at 192K miles when converting to an automatic transmission and the flywheel was still in relatively perfect condition. Don't replace it unless it's physically damaged.

 

[ZeusDaCat]

Realize the flywheel rarely needs replacing and then only when it somehow became damaged from something coming apart next to it. I pulled my flywheel off at 192K miles when converting to an automatic transmission and the flywheel was still in relatively perfect condition. Don't replace it unless it's physically damaged.

Would you leave it alone even if they've resurfaced it? It seems like no matter what I'm going to end up having to take a look at the clutch assembly to try and figure out the root cause . Who knows if it's something else all together causing the issues with it feeling like it's sticking.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

the statement is in the FSM but I haven't seen anyone ever post "I had my flywheel resurfaced and it caused 'x' behavior". I know the factory recommends against it and I wouldn't do it but I don't know what the actual result would be of doing it.

There are lots of other forum members in Colorado (i used to be one of them). It would be cool if somebody volunteered to meet up with you and see how it feels compared to theirs. Clutches feel different and it's easy to think something is wrong when comparing to a different vehicle. Talking pedal feel here; obviously chatter or jerky engagement would not be normal.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

the statement is in the FSM but I haven't seen anyone ever post "I had my flywheel resurfaced and it caused 'x' behavior". I know the factory recommends against it and I wouldn't do it but I don't know what the actual result would be of doing it.

I have, his symptom is what I've seen others mention after their flywheel was resurfaced.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Would you leave it alone even if they've resurfaced it?

I'd tell them they screwed up by not following the factory's recommendation and that you want a new flywheel.

 

[ZeusDaCat]

the statement is in the FSM but I haven't seen anyone ever post "I had my flywheel resurfaced and it caused 'x' behavior". I know the factory recommends against it and I wouldn't do it but I don't know what the actual result would be of doing it.

There are lots of other forum members in Colorado (i used to be one of them). It would be cool if somebody volunteered to meet up with you and see how it feels compared to theirs. Clutches feel different and it's easy to think something is wrong when comparing to a different vehicle. Talking pedal feel here; obviously chatter or jerky engagement would not be normal.

Yeah I think I'm gonna reach out to one guy who lives out here to see if I can compare and contrast. It's hard to know what should feel "right" when going from a 21 GTI manual to a 99 TJ manual as they are a completely different type of vehicle.

I'd tell them they screwed up by not following the factory's recommendation and that you want a new flywheel.

Yeah that's what I want to do but of course because it was done by the PO, they won't honor any warranty they gave him. Which sucks because it seems like a pretty solid small independent shop but I won't take the Jeep there for anything now haha.

 

[kalmairn]

@ZeusDaCat reached out to me, we did a back-to-back test of his TJ and mine - both '99, both AX-15. We only saw two notable differences - the pedal in mine is a bit heavier, and the engagement point on mine is a bit higher.

Engagement seemed smooth, no stuttering or vibration from the clutch from a stop nor upshift/downshift. Seemed very normal, at least based on the relative unknown of my 175k mile Jeep - don't know what clutch is in it.

Overall, while there may be a mistake in the maintenance and potentially something that will impact reliability, it didn't seem to have any tractability issues related to it.

 

[ZeusDaCat]

Huge shoutout to @kalmairn for letting me swing by to compare, I guess it goes to show it's hard to compare the expected feel of a 99 Jeep manual to a 21 GTI manual .

 

[machoheadgames]

It’s not always resurfacing that causes that either. I had that issue happen after oil leaked at the valve cover and got onto my flywheel by dripping down. Very jerky operation with the clutch at low speed unless I overrevved the motor. Quite annoying.