Missing bolts after clutch replacement

jdizzi

jdizzi

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Joined
Mar 23, 2023
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7
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FORT WALTON BEACH
I recently purchased a manual 2006 TJ with 110k miles.

Shortly after buying it, I started having a problem with my Throwout bearing and decided to replace the whole clutch.

After numerous visits to this shop that specializes in jeeps (which is also the place I bought it from), I noticed yet ANOTHER clunking sound from underneath when the clutch is engaged.

Upon crawling underneath, I noticed these bolts are missing.

I'm no mechanic, but this doesn't seem right. Can someone tell me if this is normal? What do I need to do to fix this?

Feeling super disappointed with this shop that claims they specialize in Jeeps, yet I continue to have problems. I just want to hit the trails and enjoy this thing... :((



 
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Definitely not supposed to be like that. The driver side bolt is definitely loose but looks to be a replaced bolt, hopefully the correct size. As for the passenger side (and driver) it is a 7/16"-14 x 3" grade 5 flange bolt. They should be torqued to, I think, 55 ft lbs. Personally I would loosen up the skid plate bolts before tightening, and then snug those up after getting some bolts into the bellhousing. If any issues occur I would definetly be calling them and getting it right, and then never bringing the jeep back...
 
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Morks said:
Definitely not supposed to be like that. The driver side bolt is definitely loose but looks to be a replaced bolt, hopefully the correct size. As for the passenger side (and driver) it is a 7/16"-14 x 3" grade 5 flange bolt. They should be torqued to, I think, 55 ft lbs. Personally I would loosen up the skid plate bolts before tightening, and then snug those up after getting some bolts into the bellhousing. If any issues occur I would definetly be calling them and getting it right, and then never bringing the jeep back...
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Thanks, Morks. I've brought it back to them 3 times now. They even broke (then fixed?) the 4WD last time it was there.

Questioning their work and whether I even want to bring it back there for this.

Unfortunately, I am ignorant with this stuff and don't have the tools to fix this at home.
 
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Just need a simple socket set, and a hardware store and you'll be just fine. Find a place that sells that bolt near by, and I would definitely grab a decent socket set just to have anyway you'll get use out of it eventually with the tj! However, I wouldn't be going back to that shop...
 
Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!

It’s extremely difficult to find a decent mechanic. My best advice would be to ask friends, family and co-workers if they know of a good repair shop.
Narrow the search by trying to contact customers of any recommended shops.
The good ones will usually be stacked up with work and can’t get you in for weeks or months.
Your particular issue appears to be a relatively easy fix so a reputable enterprise may be able to squeeze you in.
Do not return to the Jeep “specialist”. Your problems will just multiply.

I’m suppressing the urge to go on a rant about shade tree hacks posing as mechanics.
 
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The bolts that are loose or missing are 2 of the 4 that hold the transmission to the engine. That’s definitely not good. I believe they are 7/16-14 thread unless the 2001 engine block changed them. I’d take that loose bolt to the store and source some new ones.

The two bolts and nuts at the bottom (5:00 & 7:00) don’t support anything, they just hold the thin cover plate to the transmission bellhousing. The small bolt at 6:00 also does that too.

There are also 2 bolts up top at about 1:00 and 11:00. They should have external torx heads. Can you confirm those are there? Judging by the experiences you’ve had, I’m not confident the shop did any of it right. I’d maybe take it to a different Jeep shop if you absolutely can’t dig into it yourself as an option. Try to find one with the best reviews you possibly can find.
 
Pretty sure Ft Walton Beach is not close to me or I would recommend a really good shop for your needs. I'm sure someone on here can recommend a better option then the one you've given more time and money too then they deserve. Come on crew, help a sister out! :cool:
 
machoheadgames said:
The bolts that are loose or missing are 2 of the 4 that hold the transmission to the engine. That’s definitely not good. I believe they are 7/16-14 thread unless the 2001 engine block changed them. I’d take that loose bolt to the store and source some new ones.

The two bolts and nuts at the bottom (5:00 & 7:00) don’t support anything, they just hold the thin cover plate to the transmission bellhousing. The small bolt at 6:00 also does that too.

There are also 2 bolts up top at about 1:00 and 11:00. They should have external torx heads. Can you confirm those are there? Judging by the experiences you’ve had, I’m not confident the shop did any of it right. I’d maybe take it to a different Jeep shop if you absolutely can’t dig into it yourself as an option. Try to find one with the best reviews you possibly can find.
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Thank, macho. I'll have to check. I'm not confident they did anything right either 🤣

It's funny you say that. This place has over 100 reviews with a 4.5 average. No complaints with the BBB. No negative posts on FB. Not sure if the mechanic just doesn't know what he's doing or if I'm just having a one-off bad experience. Seems like the former.
 
Don't press in the clutch or start it until it gets the 4 upper bolts replaced/tightened. The transmission is flexing away from the motor and will break soon.
 
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Rickyd said:
Don't press in the clutch or start it until it gets the 4 upper bolts replaced/tightened. The transmission is flexing away from the motor and will break soon.
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Thank you, that took way too long. That is about to be a very bad day for someone. Just a good bounce hitting a large bump in the road has the potential to blow that bellhousing up and leave the trans hanging by the input shaft at best. Needs to be put on a flatbed and hauled to some place with folks who don't have their heads up their asses. In fact that entire job needs to be redone because if they missed that, there is no telling what else is screwed up.

That's just bullshit, big stinky piles of it.
 
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mrblaine said:
Thank you, that took way too long. That is about to be a very bad day for someone. Just a good bounce hitting a large bump in the road has the potential to blow that bellhousing up and leave the trans hanging by the input shaft at best. Needs to be put on a flatbed and hauled to some place with folks who don't have their heads up their asses. In fact that entire job needs to be redone because if they missed that, there is no telling what else is screwed up.

That's just bullshit, big stinky piles of it.
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Ugh. Thanks, MrBlaine. Lots of it 💩 So unfortunate.

I wish they would've just admitted this was out of their wheelhouse and referred us elsewhere. I guess I should call my credit card company to stop payment now. 😔
 
jdizzi said:
Ugh. Thanks, MrBlaine. Lots of it 💩 So unfortunate.

I wish they would've just admitted this was out of their wheelhouse and referred us elsewhere. I guess I should call my credit card company to stop payment now. 😔
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Be careful doing that. Some states its illegal for you to do that to shops.it needs to be settled in court in those cases. Find out your options first.
 
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Zorba said:
I had to look up her hometown. Its a 'burb of Pensacola - a long ways away from me! Like Jerry, I'm still learning who is good and who isn't here in Florida.
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Yeah, and we just moved here for a job opportunity at the beginning of the year. We assumed someone who sells only jeeps and works on only jeeps would do us right.
Rickyd said:
Be careful doing that. Some states its illegal for you to do that to shops.it needs to be settled in court in those cases. Find out your options first.
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Good to know. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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Update - We let the Jeep shop know about the issue and they asked us to drive it back there next week to "fix it". 🫣

We called a different 4x4 shop who specializes in mods only. They referred us to another mechanic. Calling AAA to tow it there.

Thank you everyone for all of your guidance. 🙏 Hopefully we'll see you on the trails in the near future!!
 
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jdizzi said:
Ugh. Thanks, MrBlaine. Lots of it 💩 So unfortunate.

I wish they would've just admitted this was out of their wheelhouse and referred us elsewhere. I guess I should call my credit card company to stop payment now. 😔
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It is a simple clutch job. That work is not Jeep specific and any competent mechanic can do it. The only "gotcha" that most of them will miss is not to have the flywheel resurfaced. It has a slightly conical shape so it smooths engagement and slows down chatter.
 
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mrblaine said:
It is a simple clutch job. That work is not Jeep specific and any competent mechanic can do it. The only "gotcha" that most of them will miss is not to have the flywheel resurfaced. It has a slightly conical shape so it smooths engagement and slows down chatter.
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And I do not understand this either especially a clutch job. TJs are one of the easiest rigs to work on and yet many mechanics shy away or somehow screw the work up.
 
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Blackjack said:
And I do not understand this either especially a clutch job. TJs are one of the easiest rigs to work on and yet many mechanics shy away or somehow screw the work up.
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If you as a mechanic can't do a clutch job in a TJ, you really need to find another line of work because being a mechanic is not within your abilities.
 
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