Clutch problems

doktormane

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 5, 2019
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So this morning when I got in my 97 TJ manual to drive to work I pressed the clutch and it felt a bit funny. The pedal has always been hard to press but this time it wasn't smooth and it felt like it was clicking half way through. I put it in first and I drive for a hundred feet before I stop to give way to an oncoming vehicle and that's when I couldn't get it back in gear. None of the gears would engage and I only managed to get back home by turning the engine off and then putting it in gear. Strangely enough, releasing the pedal afterwards does engage the clutch and I am able to drive. Any ideas what the issue might be?

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Luk makes a pre-bled master/ cylinder hydraulic clutch...I'd start by unbolting the slave from the transmission and see if you still feel the clunk in the middle pressing the pedal.

-Mac
IF you press the clutch pedal and pressurize the clutch master cylinder with the tension on the slave cylinder actuating rod removed from the throw out bearing fork; you will probably blow the actuator rod out of the slave cylinder.
 
X4, sounds most likely to be the hydraulic clutch system that has failed. There's a master and slave cylinder, they come as a package pre-filled with hydraulic fluid, bled, and ready to install which is an easy job. It's all external to the transmission so there's no need to unbolt the transmission.
 
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Thanks guys. The new part is on the way but now I am worried that the issue might also be with the throw-out bearing as the clutch pedal has always been hard to press and lately it started whining at idle. Could the throw-out bearing prevent me from putting it in gear?
 
X4, sounds most likely to be the hydraulic clutch system that has failed. There's a master and slave cylinder, they come as a package pre-filled with hydraulic fluid, bled, and ready to install which is an easy job. It's all external to the transmission so there's no need to unbolt the transmission.
Hi Jerry,

Thanks for taking the time to comment! I just took out the whole master/slave cylinder assembly and so far the only thing I noticed is that there was but a droplet of fluid in the reservoir but the pushrod on both ends extends when the other one is moved.
 
Okay, so now I got a different problem. With the master/slave cylinder out the transmission won't come out of reverse. Is there any chance that the fork and/or throw-out bearing could prevent it from disengaging even with a new master/slave cylinder?
 
By chance is the Jeep on a upward or downward slope ?
Sounds like there is preload on the transmission gears... and no way to unload with the hydraulics removed.
You can either manually push on the throw out bearing fork (ensure brake is applied so the Jeep does not roll) or push the Jeep slightly or move the preload which should allow you to remove the transmission from Reverse.
 
Okay, so now I got a different problem. With the master/slave cylinder out the transmission won't come out of reverse. Is there any chance that the fork and/or throw-out bearing could prevent it from disengaging even with a new master/slave cylinder?
Won't come out of reverse running or not running? Or both?
 
FWIW, my shifting problems was because my clutch disc springs broke apart that didn’t let me shift into gears, once I dropped the transmission and took a look
 
So this morning when I got in my 97 TJ manual to drive to work I pressed the clutch and it felt a bit funny. The pedal has always been hard to press but this time it wasn't smooth and it felt like it was clicking half way through. I put it in first and I drive for a hundred feet before I stop to give way to an oncoming vehicle and that's when I couldn't get it back in gear. None of the gears would engage and I only managed to get back home by turning the engine off and then putting it in gear. Strangely enough, releasing the pedal afterwards does engage the clutch and I am able to drive. Any ideas what the issue might be?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Just had same problem my regular guy decided not to do "Big Jobs?" any more. I shopped around Avg $$$ 1300.00. Went to Dealer yes, I said dealer and Got OEM Clutch, Rear Seal on engine, gasket on adapter ( didn't know I had an adapter but, I saw it.) Rotors and brakes. $1800.00 out the door they said $2300.00 but quoted me $1800.00 So Be It.
 
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FWIW, my shifting problems was because my clutch disc springs broke apart that didn’t let me shift into gears, once I dropped the transmission and took a look
Well, I guess I'll start by ordering a new master/slave cylinder and taking it from there. The old one is toast anyway, I tried putting it back and filling it with fluid but it feels spongy as heck and it doesn't work at all, even after bleeding it.
 
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Hey all, just stumbled on this. My hydraulic clutch seems fine I was just wondering if anyone ever flushes out the old fluid & replaces with fresh? I can't seem to get the cap off of the reservoir. I didn't wanna break it so I just left it alone. Is there a bleeder somewhere?
Thanks!
 
my understanding is that the slave cylinder/master assembly is a pre filled and pre bled unit. not sure if it’s a sealed unit or not. probably easier to just replace the entire assembly when it takes a crap.
 
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Hey all, just stumbled on this. My hydraulic clutch seems fine I was just wondering if anyone ever flushes out the old fluid & replaces with fresh? I can't seem to get the cap off of the reservoir. I didn't wanna break it so I just left it alone. Is there a bleeder somewhere?
Thanks!
The OE clutch system does not have a bleeder. Since your clutch is working well I wouldn't touch it or change a thing.
 
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So this morning when I got in my 97 TJ manual to drive to work I pressed the clutch and it felt a bit funny. The pedal has always been hard to press but this time it wasn't smooth and it felt like it was clicking half way through. I put it in first and I drive for a hundred feet before I stop to give way to an oncoming vehicle and that's when I couldn't get it back in gear. None of the gears would engage and I only managed to get back home by turning the engine off and then putting it in gear. Strangely enough, releasing the pedal afterwards does engage the clutch and I am able to drive. Any ideas what the issue might be?

Thanks in advance for the help!
I have an 04 that just started having the same symptoms except mine had a strange noise. Did yours have a noise? I attached a video of mine and I'm tryna figure out if its the clutch, TOB or master/slave cylinders.
 

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I have a 04 sahara that everything... I mean everything is new in the clutch assembly, flywheel, shift fork, release bearing, pilot bearing.New complete master slave sealed kit
and still can't shift into any gear with the engine running. Don't use Just Ask
They are useless.
I made a tool with the old clutch slave steel plate and used a forcing screw from my Snap-on T puller. My fork needs to move 1" to release but the master slave will only move 3/4". No one knows what's wrong with it not even me. I've done several of these and this one is eatting my lunch. This is the 3rd clutch, master sealed unit I've put on it. I've vacuum bled it just in case but nothing.