Clutch Issues, Hard Shifting

[NJKURPat]

New member here. I had a two door for a little over a year and traded it in for a 4 door rubicon once I got the mod bug and realized it was worth the investment.

I did a firetower run about a month ago and since then the clutch has been acting funny so I have avoided driving since then. Also, my lift arrived and has been teasing me every time it gets because I want to get this fixed before I get it installed.

My 2008 JK Rubicon Unlimited clutch has been hard shifting. The actual clutch pedal feels fine and normal, but the shifter is the problem. It's most present in first and especially reverse with the "door" i need to push through to access that gear. I really need to force it into gear, and I mean REALLY FORCE it.

I am also on wrangler forum, and they suggested flushing the brake fluid because it is the same in the JK, not sure about previous models. The next options they gave me were the clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, and throw out bearing. I have limited experience when it comes to working on my own vehicle but am a quick learner and pretty handy with a wrench. I would prefer to diagnose and fix this problem myself or with other club members.

If anyone has any ideas let me know. Or if you want to test drive it and give me an opinion maybe we can meet up sometime.

My clutch is the only thing preventing my lift, and participation in wheeling trips.

[turnbull]

I don't claim to be an expert, but I will offer my advice. The reverse thing seems normal because as far as I know, the reverse gear does not have a synchronizer. In my TJ, I sometimes can't shift into reverse because the gears are not aligned, which sounds like what you are experiencing. When that happens, I do one of three things: 1. let the vehicle roll a little bit with the clutch still depressed, 2. shift into 1st then back into reverse without releasing the clutch, 3. release the clutch in neutral for a moment, then depress the clutch pedal and attempt to shift into reverse.

As for first, I have no idea. It could be the synchronizer is bad, or you just need a fluid change. Let me ask you this: do the gears grind when you try to shift into reverse/first even if the clutch pedal is depressed?

[alk1174]

Did you encounter any deep water or mud as in floor pan deep?
Do you have an access panel or place to inspect the clutch?
I can see muddy water and grit killing a throwout bearing.

[Username]

The "door" for the reverse gear is the reverse lockout solenoid. Look to see that it is not unplugged.

Did you run through any deep water crossings? If so, I'd start simple and change the tranny fluid.

Is the tranny hard to shift with the motor off?

[NJKURPat]

BULL- The reverse gear is beyond normal. I know its not synced and needs a bit of a push, but this is way beyond what it used to require. the gears also do not grind, it is just very difficult to get it into gear.

ALK- It was muddy water up to the axels maybe a little higher. I know that im not supposed to shift when in water or mud and I'm pretty sure I didn't. I also do not know if I have a place to inspect the clutch. All of my jeep work consists of suspension (lift in my 2DR). I dont have any mechanical experience as of yet.

Username- The shifting is normal when the engine is off.

I have changed the brake fluid as recommended by WF members, and it was dirty. Now it runs a clear yellowish, is this normal? Yesterday I also noticed that when coming to a stop with the clutch depressed in first, it felt as though it was about to stall. Not sure if this is because it might not be fully disengaging/engaging the gear.

[VerticalTRX]

Sounds to me like your clutch is not completely disengaging. You're probably only noticing it in 1st and reverse because you are trying to shift into them from being stopped. With the other gears you are in motion and the synchros in your transmission are making up the difference. Try shifting into first when on a down hill grade: let your foot off the brake and when the vehicle starts to roll (just a couple mph) shift into first as you would normally. If it goes easy, or easier I'd bet your clutch isn't disengaging.

I'm not familiar with the jeeps but if it is a standard hydraulic clutch system then it will have a master and a slave cylinder. Either could be bad (or it could be a sealed system where you have to replace both at once.) Back in the day of manual clutch linkage, you'd simply adjust the linkage to fix the problem. With a hyd. system you'll probably have to replace one of the cylinders (if this is indeed the problem.)

Maybe some of the jeep guys can chime in with their thoughts on the master/slave cylinders and how to diagnose/replace on a jeep.

[BadAssEddie]

Sounds to me like your clutch is not completely disengaging. You're probably only noticing it in 1st and reverse because you are trying to shift into them from being stopped. With the other gears you are in motion and the synchros in your transmission are making up the difference. Try shifting into first when on a down hill grade: let your foot off the brake and when the vehicle starts to roll (just a couple mph) shift into first as you would normally. If it goes easy, or easier I'd bet your clutch isn't disengaging.

I'm not familiar with the jeeps but if it is a standard hydraulic clutch system then it will have a master and a slave cylinder. Either could be bad (or it could be a sealed system where you have to replace both at once.) Back in the day of manual clutch linkage, you'd simply adjust the linkage to fix the problem. With a hyd. system you'll probably have to replace one of the cylinders (if this is indeed the problem.)

Maybe some of the jeep guys can chime in with their thoughts on the master/slave cylinders and how to diagnose/replace on a jeep.

I had a similar issue in my F-250 two years ago. It's a sealed system, but I just took it apart and bench bled each cylinder separately. I then re-installed it and bled them on the truck. Works fine now.

I didn't read through it all but make sure your clutch fluid is full enough and try bleeding the system.

[NJKURPat]

Narrowed it down to the master and slave cylinders. Im just going to replace both to avoid any more problems. Anyone want to meet up sometime in burg and do it with me?

And if that doesnt work, I need to replace the throwout bearing.