Trouble shifting after new clutch install.

[benjy_26]

Hello everyone.

 

This issue pertains to my brother's XJ, but maybe somebody here has run into it in their MJ. 

 

Recently, my brother's XJ lost it's clutch. One of the springs apparently came off the disc. He was able to limp home by starting in gear and not shifting. 

 

His XJ is a '95 2.5L SE with a AX5. 

 

He went ahead and bought a new clutch set and a new flywheel. We installed it and bled the clutch system. Everything seemed to go smoothly, except that now there is a grinding noise when attempting to start the vehicle, there is very little resistance in the clutch pedal, and it is extremely difficult to shift into any gears. When one is able to shift into a gear, the action is accompanied by a grinding noise. 

 

We've re-bled the clutch system, but the issue persists. Is there anything we should be looking for when we drop the trans for inspection again? 

 

Thanks a bunch! 

[Eagle]

https://comancheclub.com/topic/58217-1986-comanche-x-slave-cylinder-bleeding-issue/

 

[benjy_26]

Thanks! 

[Jeep Driver]

Couple of things here-

 

Unless you had a problem with the master/slave there was no reason to bleed the system for a simple clutch change. 

 

Unless your synchros are trashed- you can shift without the clutch, AXs are not very forgiving but with some practice you can seamlessly shift without depressing the clutch. 

So, I'm wondering why you grind when shifting?

 

Where is your pedal at now compared to before the replacement?

[benjy_26]

7 hours ago, Jeep Driver said:

Couple of things here-

 

Unless you had a problem with the master/slave there was no reason to bleed the system for a simple clutch change. 

 

Unless your synchros are trashed- you can shift without the clutch, AXs are not very forgiving but with some practice you can seamlessly shift without depressing the clutch. 

So, I'm wondering why you grind when shifting?

 

Where is your pedal at now compared to before the replacement?

The pedal is in the same position as before, but has very little resistance.

 

As far as the bleeding, we bled it because of the difficulty in getting the vehicle into gear. 

[benjy_26]

Another question: 

 

Is it possible that we installed the clutch disc backwards? 

 

[Jeep Driver]

50 minutes ago, benjy_26 said:

Another question: 

 

Is it possible that we installed the clutch disc backwards? 

 

Yes it is

 

 

What throwout bearing did you use?

[benjy_26]

Brand new throw out bearing came with the kit. 

 

I'm thinking that we installed the clutch disc backwards, but we haven't worked on it any further. I'll update as soon as we drop the trans. 

[eaglescout526]

Just my two cents;

when I installed a new clutch after the trans blew, I decided to replace the throw out bearing. For two weeks I had issues shifting and had to use rev match to shift. After having the tranny out for the third time I thought about the throw out bearing and sure enough it was not seated far enough back. The clutch plate sat in there just fine but there wasn’t enough room for the pressure plate to push on the clutch to stop it. 

[Jeep Driver]

3 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

sure enough it was not seated far enough back

I was going to mention this, however, if you have not seen it yourself.......impossible to explain. 

 

Yes, it is possible to not seat the TOB on the fork/lever correctly, nearly got me the first time I swapped. 

[benjy_26]

Thanks guys! We'll check that this weekend!