6sp MT - difficult shifting after clutch install

[Industrialwrench]

Considering there are several TSB's / fixes for the stock clutch there is something wrong from the factory - at least for some. For me, it would slip/burn frequently. I've driven manuals for 30 years, so not user error. I received a TSB that there was risk that this could cause a fire - but no fix was in place at the time. Given I have kids, I wasn't ok with a possible fire with no fix.

Google Jeep JL MT fire - you'll see several of them. Later, as I understand, they relocated some lines and would 'detune' the motor in the event of overheating.

Can you please link a single TSB? There was a recall for pressure plate overheating. Which is what you’re probably trying to state. A slipping clutch is obviously a problem and I doubt when/if you took it in the dealership they threw up their hands and said “must need and aftermarket clutch”. Lol
For what it worth, I think some of the overheating issues and slipping problems are effects of the hill assist bugging out. The mechanical is either functional or broken, electrical can be finicky and destructive to mechanics

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[Bill_P]

Maybe the same problem?
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-centerforce-ii-clutch-install-in-jlu.102414/

 

[Gatorized]

$2600 for install! I had my CF2 installed at a local tranny shop in October for $800...

Who did you have install your clutch? We’re you happy with their work? I know you had mentioned taking it back to NY to have it done… so I am assuming you had it done in NH.

 

[ski-line900]

Thanks all for your input on this. Update: I stopped by the shop and they showed me that the shifter cables appear to be out of alignment. You can partially see this in the photo, but it’s tough to see. So I called Centerforce and they said during their R&D they didn’t remove the tranny when putting the clutch in but they’d heard some people had issues with the cables after doing so. Pretty sure that’s what happened with my install. Centerforce sent me the attached procedure they got their hands on from Mopar for adjusting the cables. Seems to be a fairly simple fix. Posting these instructions here for others who might need them. Will provide an update on whether this fixes my issue, which it appears it should.

Has anyone done this adjustment? I occasionally have a little bit of notchiness when upshifting to 2nd or 3rd after replacing clutch with aftermarket. I did not remove the shift bracket on the transmission or unhook the cables at either end.

Seems like an easy enough thing to reset and see if I can't get smooth shifts consistently.

 

[Toycrusher]

Has anyone done this adjustment? I occasionally have a little bit of notchiness when upshifting to 2nd or 3rd after replacing clutch with aftermarket. I did not remove the shift bracket on the transmission or unhook the cables at either end.

Seems like an easy enough thing to reset and see if I can't get smooth shifts consistently.

First time I swapped my clutch I did disconnect everything. Other times I've just slid the transmission back. I did the procedure one time and my cables were still in alignment ?‍

 

[ski-line900]

First time I swapped my clutch I did disconnect everything. Other times I've just slid the transmission back. I did the procedure one time and my cables were still in alignment ?‍

The two instructions aren't quite the same. Can you confirm what the process is?
Seems to be a bit different in the two docs:

1. Put shifter in 3rd, let it self center. Release the adjuster and then lock the adjuster.

2. Release adjuster. Put in 3rd and hold forward. Lock the adjuster.

 

[Toycrusher]

The two instructions aren't quite the same. Can you confirm what the process is?
Seems to be a bit different in the two docs:

1. Put shifter in 3rd, let it self center. Release the adjuster and then lock the adjuster.

2. Release adjuster. Put in 3rd and hold forward. Lock the adjuster.

These were the directions I followed ?‍

 

[ski-line900]

These were the directions I followed ?‍

Well I did the reset procedure, glad I did, feels smooth as day 1 again. Would recommend if you're having any notchy or hard to shift that isn't clutch related.

 

[notthenewguy]

So I just had an ACT clutch installed with the heavier flywheel. My transmission shop said they did not disconnect the shift cables from the transmission. Is it a possibility that the cables still came out of alignment even if they weren’t disconnected? After the install the shift lever is noticeably harder to get in and out of gear. I can get in every gear, but it is slower and more difficult than with the stock clutch. I even tend to feel some (not quite) grinding through the lever if I’m not careful with my shifts. I have about 200 miles of break in done. The gears seem to require a little more time before the transmission allows me to select a gear and they “stick” when I’m moving from one gear to the next. Clutch is fully depressed for all gear changes. I’ve also noticed it sticks more when taking it out of reverse.

Another thing I’ve noticed is, when I’m at a stand still on a flat surface, foot off the break, no gas, clutch fully depressed, if I go to put the car into first gear as soon as the clutch pedal is to the floor, the car lunges forward a little bit and then goes into gear. No grinding, but it definitely moved forward. Asked the shop about how they bled the Jeep and they said they did it on a flat surface. Taking it back tomorrow so they can bleed it with the rear end elevated to see if that helps as that’s what ACT recommended and what others in this totem suggest.

Wanted to see what other ideas the forum had regarding the shifting issues, or to confirm the suspicions regarding the bleeding of being done correctly. Also, would the cables need realignment if they were never disconnected from the transmission? The mechanic said they just slid the transmission back and did not remove the cables.

Thanks for any help.

 

[JeepinPete]

What you describe is the clutch not fully releasing. Most likely a bit of air in the hydraulics.

Pete

 

[notthenewguy]

What you describe is the clutch not fully releasing. Most likely a bit of air in the hydraulics.

Pete

That’s what I was thinking too. Shop had it yesterday and bled it again and now the problem is worse. Now if I am at a stand still I am locked out of reverse, first, third, and fifth. I have to take my foot off the break, let the car creep (clutch fully depressed) and then it will eventually select the gear. Going into reverse and first is the worse. The gears are fully locking me out and they stick when taking the car out of those gears. Going to take it back today but the shop doesn’t know what else to do. Might have to have them drop the transmission again and check what’s going on in there. At this point I am regretting this aftermarket clutch; car had zero issues shifting with the stock setup and the only reason I even thought of going aftermarket was this recall that also seems to have its entirely separate set of issues. Honestly considering having the old clutch out back in and selling the JL. This clutch situation has been one massive PITA as the shop is now really skeptical of my complaints with the shifting of the jeep after they worked on it.

 

[notthenewguy]

That’s what I was thinking too. Shop had it yesterday and bled it again and now the problem is worse. Now if I am at a stand still I am locked out of reverse, first, third, and fifth. I have to take my foot off the break, let the car creep (clutch fully depressed) and then it will eventually select the gear. Going into reverse and first is the worse. The gears are fully locking me out and they stick when taking the car out of those gears. Going to take it back today but the shop doesn’t know what else to do. Might have to have them drop the transmission again and check what’s going on in there. At this point I am regretting this aftermarket clutch; car had zero issues shifting with the stock setup and the only reason I even thought of going aftermarket was this recall that also seems to have its entirely separate set of issues. Honestly considering having the old clutch out back in and selling the JL. This clutch situation has been one massive PITA as the shop is now really skeptical of my complaints with the shifting of the jeep after they worked on it.

Update in this for anyone with similar issues. Turns out, the original shop that did the install used the wrong grease in the splined shaft which was not allowing the clutch to slide on the shaft. Jeep shifts great in almost every gear, with the exception of 4th. So I’m thinking of doing this cable adjustment procedure and see if it helps because 4th seems to be very rough to get into while all other gears are buttery smooth. 4th offers a little bit more resistance and if I shift at my normal pace, the gear will grind/grunt as it goes into gear. Not a grind as if you missed a shift or didn’t clutch properly, just a really loud and palpable roughness to the shift.

 

[notthenewguy]

Well I did the reset procedure, glad I did, feels smooth as day 1 again. Would recommend if you're having any notchy or hard to shift that isn't clutch related.

Question about the adjustment procedure, does the cable self adjust after you unlock it and push it into 3rd or do you have to fine tune it? I’m off work tomorrow and going to try it out but just want to make sure how to do it. Seems straight forward but I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to mess it up. Is the procedure really as simply as the instructions indicate?

 

[ski-line900]

Question about the adjustment procedure, does the cable self adjust after you unlock it and push it into 3rd or do you have to fine tune it? I’m off work tomorrow and going to try it out but just want to make sure how to do it. Seems straight forward but I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to mess it up. Is the procedure really as simply as the instructions indicate?

You put it into 3rd, wiggle the shifter and let it self-center. Then without touching the shifter, unlock, and then lock the adjuster. Don't touch the shifter with it unlocked, and don't try to adjust.

 

[aville65]

Going in for my last free oil change on my 2021 Sport. I know I’m on the recall list but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them change out my clutch. Took me 3 months to figure out the friction zone on this thing. Not interested in fixing something that’s not broke. Love my Sting Gray.

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