89 YJ Shifting problems

Recently had the clutch replaced in my 89 YJ (155,000 miles). The mechanic told me that the "spreaders were plastic and old and may need to be replaced in the future" I havent replaced them, or really ever heard of them until he metioned it or since.

Driving to work this morning in hellish stop and go traffic, I noticed that I had to pump the clutch several times (2 - 3) to get into first, sometimes 2nd gear. Is this because my "spreaders" are bad or something else? How do I fix?

I have an '02 Wrangler X and had a similar problem for about a week before both my trans and clutch went simultaneously! Just be careful that you never force it into gear. lol

First of all check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. You have to remove the radiator support strut rod to access it ( I removed the rod and welded a loop on it where the cylinder is so I can access it without removing the rod- [Chrysler/AMC engineers!:screwy:]) There is a disc which floats in the fluid, leave it there!. Then I would bleed the system which requires two people. Check for leaks.
I have no idea what he is talking about (spreaders) However it may be the clutch release bearing assy. It's a very expensive part (compared to the manual linkage ones) and should have been replaced with the clutch. Labor to replace the C R B A is the same as doing a clutch, so it's foolish not to replace it and the pilot bearing when replacing the clutch. Also the flywheel surface should have been inspected and if found to have excess wear or scores in it, ground to insure long life of the clutch disc.
If there was no problem with the trans before the clutch installation I would eliminate any problems with the transmission barring unlikely coincidental failures