Clutch??

[Randi]

I am the proud owner of a 94 Wrangler. It has been giving me trouble going into gear on occasion when I stop. If i give it a little gas and ease out on the cluthce then try again, it works. Is it the clutch plate or the transmission?

[stangfreak7]

First when is the last time you replaced the throw out bearing pilot bearing and the pressure plates? That could be part of the problem right there. Also, have you adjusted your clutch or anything like that. Not to fimilar with the clutched in the 90's wranglers so not sure how it really works. Does your clutch self adjust, etc. If it doesnt then you might need to try adjusting it. That would probally help ya problem. Could also be the syncros in the trans. What kind of abuse has the tranny been through? Is it hard to shift while going down the road, etc? Is the tranny full to trans fulid? It could be a number of things. Give me a little more info and i might be able to help you more.

[Randi]

I have only owned this Jeep for 1 year and have never replaced the bearings or plates. I don't know how it may have been abused in the past but I haven't given it much of a workout. It does not have any trouble shifting while in motion, only when at a stop going into first gear or reverse. I had the fluid changed in the transmission, there seems to be a little improvement but not much.

[stangfreak7]

Hmmm, once you get it into gear, how does it take off. Does it jump and vibrate alot, or does it take off smooth. Also, do the gears grind any when you try to put them in, or can you feel them mesh like they are not lining up properly etc. My first thing would be to see if i could adjust the clutch in any way. If you know what im talking about. I would see if i could change its release point from the floorboard. Where does it release now??

[fredjacksonsan]

If there's no grinding (like stang said) then I'd say it's likely worn synchros. You never said how many miles are on the Jeep.

[Randi]

Nope, no grinding. It doesn't jump or vibrate. It just doesn't fit into gear when at a stop (1st and R). Has 107K miles. The clutch releases about halfway between the floor and the full release of the petal. Right now the problem is sporatic and infrequent. It isn't giving me much trouble but I expect that it will get worse.

[fredjacksonsan]

Sounds like the synchros; since it's sporadic, seems like one position may be having a problem. When you rotate to another position it works just fine, right? You could go ahead and replace the synchros, but that'd be a big job. As long as there's no safety concerns I'd drive it as is. Just shift into 1st early at the light, when you're the first one there.

[fredjacksonsan]

And it may get worse over time, but if it's only that one synchro position it may stay pretty much the same. Sounds like 1st was hammered a couple times in that one spot.....

[Randi]

Thank you so much for your expertise. I think you are right. I'm just going to wait it out and see if there are any changes. Meanwhile, I was driving on a three hour trip the other day and the seem where the top meets the windshield fell apart. I knew I needed another top but it suddenly became urgent. It's on its way. HAHA.

[fredjacksonsan]

Welcome--enjoy the new top. You'll probably miss out on the free flow ventilation though.

[Randi]

Driving a Jeep is like mobile camping. With the top in tatters, I am reminded that camping in the rain is a drag.

[fredjacksonsan]

I am still laughing 5 minutes later.