Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Transmission noise

MuayThaiJeepGuy

MuayThaiJeepGuy

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Joined
Mar 19, 2022
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New Jersey
Hey ya'll I'm having some rattle come from my transmission pretty sure it's the throwout bearing so while the trannie is out I'll be replacing everything.

Clutch fork pivot, clutch fork, clutch master/slave cylinder, and the clutch and flywheel.

The question I'm asking is which clutch should I go with? I run 35s with a lift and want to make sure I have the best in my rig. Is a Luk clutch the one to go for or should I snag a Centerforce II? Would the Centerforce II just be a waste of money? Trying to get as much info as possible I'm not that good with transmissions.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
 
LuK 05-065 is the common recommendation on the board. I recently installed the LuK 05-901 in my LJ on 35s. I ran a Centerforce dual friction in my Toyota 4x4 and it served me well but they were much less expensive way back when. I'd stick with one of the LuK kits.
 
L J said:
LuK 05-065 is the common recommendation on the board. I recently installed the LuK 05-901 in my LJ on 35s. I ran a Centerforce dual friction in my Toyota 4x4 and it served me well but they were much less expensive way back when. I'd stick with one of the LuK kits.
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The only thing I find that I dislike with them is their throw-out bearing is made of plastic. Is there any real benefit to having the centerforce? I like buying the best quality products so their price is a non-factor for me.
 
MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
The only thing I find that I dislike with them is their throw-out bearing is made of plastic.
Click to expand...
I bought a National throw-out bearing not because the LuK kit supplies a plastic bodied bearing but rather because the bearing itself (not the plastic body) didn't feel of good quality. However, quite a few members have installed the plastic bodied LuK bearing without issue.
MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
Is there any real benefit to having the centerforce?
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I don't believe so. Centerforce makes a quality unit but the cost difference isn't justified in my opinion.
MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
I like buying the best quality products so their price is a non-factor for me.
Click to expand...
I have the same mindset for the most part. Take a look at my profile and see the parts I've added to my LJ. That being said I just didn't find any benefit to going with any other kit than the LuK 05-901 for my application.
 
Before you spend all that money, know that the NV3550 in your TJ is notorious for making a rattling sound in neutral when your foot is off the clutch. It sounds like marbles rolling around a can. It's completely normal and is just the input shaft spinning the gears, which is very audible due to zero sound-proofing in the TJ.

If you are hearing a noise when you press the clutch IN, that's when the throwout bearing is engaged, and that's a different story. Otherwise, when your foot is off the clutch, the throwout bearing is not engaged, and you will be in for a rude awakening when you spend all that time replacing a clutch that does not necessarily need to be replaced.
 
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What bromel said ^
NSG370 has similar issue but rattles for different reasons. Lets just say i was not happy when i heard rattle after replacing my clutch.
But if you want to go at it, you have forums support... until you strip two top mounting bolts, from there you are on your own :D
 
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MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
The only thing I find that I dislike with them is their throw-out bearing is made of plastic. Is there any real benefit to having the centerforce? I like buying the best quality products so their price is a non-factor for me.
Click to expand...
I just bought the 05-065 kit from RockAuto last month. I was going to source a metal throw-out bearing, but when I opened the kit, the LuK throw-out bearing was metal.
 
bromel said:
Before you spend all that money, know that the NV3550 in your TJ is notorious for making a rattling sound in neutral when your foot is off the clutch. It sounds like marbles rolling around a can. It's completely normal and is just the input shaft spinning the gears, which is very audible due to zero sound-proofing in the TJ.

If you are hearing a noise when you press the clutch IN, that's when the throwout bearing is engaged, and that's a different story. Otherwise, when your foot is off the clutch, the throwout bearing is not engaged, and you will be in for a rude awakening when you spend all that time replacing a clutch that does not necessarily need to be replaced.
Click to expand...
If I could post a video of the noise you'd understand what I'm talking about. It's 100% not a normal noise. I think it could be the clutch fork or pivot ball tbh. I bought the Jeep from a dude who off-roaded it hard and I wanna replace it anyway. After this I'll be getting her sandblasted and the underside coated and the inside raptor lined. Can't wait to show y'all.
 
L J said:
I bought a National throw-out bearing not because the LuK kit supplies a plastic bodied bearing but rather because the bearing itself (not the plastic body) didn't feel of good quality. However, quite a few members have installed the plastic bodied LuK bearing without issue.

I don't believe so. Centerforce makes a quality unit but the cost difference isn't justified in my opinion.

I have the same mindset for the most part. Take a look at my profile and see the parts I've added to my LJ. That being said I just didn't find any benefit to going with any other kit than the LuK 05-901 for my application.
Click to expand...
Nice you have a nice set of mods(y)

Gonna just go with the Luk is this the one you have?
 
bromel said:
Before you spend all that money, know that the NV3550 in your TJ is notorious for making a rattling sound in neutral when your foot is off the clutch. It sounds like marbles rolling around a can. It's completely normal and is just the input shaft spinning the gears, which is very audible due to zero sound-proofing in the TJ.

If you are hearing a noise when you press the clutch IN, that's when the throwout bearing is engaged, and that's a different story. Otherwise, when your foot is off the clutch, the throwout bearing is not engaged, and you will be in for a rude awakening when you spend all that time replacing a clutch that does not necessarily need to be replaced.
Click to expand...
This video explains exactly what is going on with my jeep.
 
MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
Hey ya'll I'm having some rattle come from my transmission pretty sure it's the throwout bearing so while the trannie is out I'll be replacing everything.

Clutch fork pivot, clutch fork, clutch master/slave cylinder, and the clutch and flywheel.

The question I'm asking is which clutch should I go with? I run 35s with a lift and want to make sure I have the best in my rig. Is a Luk clutch the one to go for or should I snag a Centerforce II? Would the Centerforce II just be a waste of money? Trying to get as much info as possible I'm not that good with transmissions.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
Click to expand...
First, avoid Centerforce which is WAY overpriced without a benefit over the Luk we always recommend. Luk is also one of the OEM vendors to Jeep, Luk clutches commonly last over 200k miles.

Second, exactly when do you hear the transmission? With the clutch pedal up or with the clutch pedal down?
 
bromel said:
Before you spend all that money, know that the NV3550 in your TJ is notorious for making a rattling sound in neutral when your foot is off the clutch. It sounds like marbles rolling around a can. It's completely normal and is just the input shaft spinning the gears, which is very audible due to zero sound-proofing in the TJ.
Click to expand...
You have no idea how much anguish you saved me. There's no doubt I would have considered this catastrophic if/when I hear this for the first time. (y)
bromel said:
If you are hearing a noise when you press the clutch IN, that's when the throwout bearing is engaged, and that's a different story. Otherwise, when your foot is off the clutch, the throwout bearing is not engaged, and you will be in for a rude awakening when you spend all that time replacing a clutch that does not necessarily need to be replaced.
Click to expand...
 
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Hi I’m new to the forum , I have two Rubicon LJs 2005 & 2006 . The 06 has a noise coming from the transmission , very noticeable at low speed not sure if it’s coming from the transmission or the speedo cable . Still noticeable even if you push the clutch in. Sound goes away as you slow down below 5 mph . Sounds kinda like a whining or spinning of something as you increase speed 10 to 30 mph after that to noisy tell where it’s coming from.
Any thoughts. Would be greatly appreciated.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
First, avoid Centerforce which is WAY overpriced without a benefit over the Luk we always recommend. Luk is also one of the OEM vendors to Jeep, Luk clutches commonly last over 200k miles.

Second, exactly when do you hear the transmission? With the clutch pedal up or with the clutch pedal down?
Click to expand...
When the clutch isn't pressed and I first start it in the morning it's like a metal spinning noise same when pressed in. I'm like 99% sure it is the throwout bearing and so is my shop but while I have the cash I'm just gonna replace the slave clinder/master clutch, fork, bearings, piviot ball, fly wheel, and clutch.
 
MuayThaiJeepGuy said:
When the clutch isn't pressed and I first start it in the morning it's like a metal spinning noise same when pressed in. I'm like 99% sure it is the throwout bearing and so is my shop but while I have the cash I'm just gonna replace the slave clinder/master clutch, fork, bearings, piviot ball, fly wheel, and clutch.
Click to expand...
A bad throwout bearing won't make any noise until you step fully down on the clutch pedal. The throwout bearing only spins and does anything when you're stepping down on the clutch pedal.

With the clutch pedal up a transmission will make a normal spinning sound which is nothing more than its input shaft and its bearings spinning. My AX-15 manual transmission made sounds that were scary to me until I learned they were normal. Our Wranglers use truck transmissions and there is very little sound insulation between them and us.
 
Quick update:
Replaced clutch, throwout bearing, flywheel, clutch fork, pivot ball, and new clutch master/slave cylinder, and oh my goodness my wrangler sounds and feels brand new! Thanks for everyone's help!
 
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I know it's an older thread, but my 97 5spd has started making a gutteral grinding noise on low rpm acceleration. I can actually feel it in the pedal. Like metal on metal. Anyways, what's the general consensus on clutch kits and what other stuff should I replace while in that deep? It's got 120k on it I figure replacing it isn't a bad idea anyways.
Thanks guys
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
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