Major shudder

[cwkerr007]

97 tj sahara 4.0 manual : I just got through replacing the broken motor mount bolts passenger side, the drivers side were not loose. It has had a shudder since we bought it last yr . I thought that the bolts caused it but after replacing the bolts it still has shudder so I assumed the clutch caused the bolts to break off ??? Now there is another factor here ,it does not shudder when it is cold and hasn't been driven it is smooth as it should be, so with all the facts given what is my issue cause I don't want to drill out those bolts again!!! I am leaning towards the pressure plate but I know jeeps have unique issues so I want to cover my bases ... ps : It is all oem and i replaced the trans & motor mounts when i drilled out bolts .. No loose u joints or straps , motor runs flawlessly ... All opinions welcome thanx

 

[cwkerr007]

One other thing this is my wifes daily joy machine and she babys it and maintains it and it is the only competition I have in our mairage and she is driving my 88 dakota 5.9 5spd ect.ect. And she is not happy and neither is the dakota lol.

 

[macleanflood]

Can you describe the shudder some more?

I'm with you on clutch...but more info might change my mind.

You check all the suspension bolts? Control arms, track bar, drag link, etc?

Not the brakes? Dragging caliper perhaps?

So it's good until it warms up...and then it does this shudder...does it shudder when not moving?

Wondering if it's a closed loop/open loop thing. Computer starts with closed loop and default fuel tables on startup. After it warms up it starts reading sensors and adjusting. Getting a code reader that can read live data might help diagnose.

-Mac

 

[cwkerr007]

No other parts are in need of replacing it only does it as you engage the clutch and once it releases it stops and as i stated i just removed the broken mot bolts and in doing so i checked all the susp parts and replaced all mounts! But when I say it doesn't do it cold I mean by the time i've drove a mile and stop it will start and get worse as temp increases

 

[cwkerr007]

And no the engine doesn't shudder just the drivetrain

 

[macleanflood]

Sounds like a bad clutch or throw out bearing. I'd get a Luk kit off Amazon and pull the transfer case and transmission and swap it out.

-Mac

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I wonder if someone, before you bought it, had the clutch replaced and resurfaced the flywheel flat...

 

[cwkerr007]

I wonder if someone, before you bought it, had the clutch replaced and resurfaced the flywheel flat...

I've had it for a year and it did it a little at first but it slowly got worse with the extreme heat we had tjis summer but i accredit that to the bolts slowly breaking off cause now that it's back together with new mounts it's about the same as when i got it , I'm with you on this about the flywheel needing surfaced but i bought it from a friend that had receipts for everything he done to it. I'm thinking it hasn't been replaced and the springs in the pressure plate are worn out and along with the flywheel being all glazed and cracked and the springs are workin like they should when cold and the moment they heat up they loose there integrity ???

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

Try putting your T/C in low range then take off in 4th or 5th gear and to see if the shudder intensifies just for the sake of comparison, is your trans/T/C mount good?

 

[cwkerr007]

Try putting your T/C in low range then take off in 4th or 5th gear and to see if the shudder intensifies just for the sake of comparison, is your trans/T/C mount good?

Yeah all mounts were replaced and after i got under it with my camera and they were all holding so i'm just going to replace the clutch and all parts and have the flywheel surfaced and check that and i'm never selling it so might as well be done with that and when the motor goes i'm 5.2 moparing it i already have dakota bellhousing

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Just be aware that the factory flywheel is not, and should not be cut flat, they have a slight bow to the friction surface

 

[Psi]

Yeah all mounts were replaced and after i got under it with my camera and they were all holding so i'm just going to replace the clutch and all parts and have the flywheel surfaced and check that and i'm never selling it so might as well be done with that and when the motor goes i'm 5.2 moparing it i already have dakota bellhousing

I have a similar issue. Did you ever figure it out. Did you replace the cluck and flywheel?

 

[CMBD]

I wonder if someone, before you bought it, had the clutch replaced and resurfaced the flywheel flat...

So is this a Chrysler thing? I see this said here a lot.

I have never, or had a shop ever resurface other than flat. Either gets ground flat, or machined flat and then nondirectional finish after.

 

[cwkerr007]

I have a similar issue. Did you ever figure it out. Did you replace the cluck and flywheel?

If you are having this issue be sure to check the motor mount brackets where they bolt on the block ON BOTH SIDES and if all 3 bolts are tight and still there then your next thing is have someone let the clutch out while the emerg brake is applied and have your hood open and watch your mounts to make sure they are working properly and the engine isn't trying to jump out of the mounts. Then if it does the shutter more when it is hot after driving it for a good while than it does when cold , then you have a pressure plate that the springs have gotten bad after time and you should replace the complete assembly pilot bearing ,flywheel,clutch,press plate, release bearing and other release parts like fork, ball and clips. Better from same company so they match. Just my opinion I'm not a jeep expert but have been a mechanic for 40 years so if someone comes up with a better answer for this problem I'm all ears and never too old to learn ! I own 2 dakota's 5.9 and 5.2 manual trans and a d250 man5.2 so i'm very familiar with them. I also lost my left leg in an acc so i have 4wheeler throttles on my sticks so i can drive them lol