6sp MT - difficult shifting after clutch install

[Willing&Able]

Hey Taylor - sadly I can't offer a silver bullet. Mine doesn't sound as bad as yours, but it still isn't buttery smooth, or anywhere close. I've had three different versions of the CF clutch and my current is the best of the three. I'm reluctant to spend $2k for another one (parts and install) as I can live with this one, but it is unfortunate.

I tried lots of things to improve - repeated (inc overnight) bleeding of MC, etc. Nothing seemed to make it what it should be. To be fair to CF, I think much of it is the overall MT design they need to work within, so more FCA than CF...

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[Gregj]

@Willing&Able - did you ever confirm what the issue was and get it resolved? I just had the Centerforce II put in my 2020 JLU and when I went to pick it up from the shop it has similar issues. It’s like the shifter is misaligned. Where 1st is there’s now 3rd, where second is there’s now 4th, where 3rd should be there’s 5th, etc. Basically the entire shifter has shifted left. And so 1st is nom existent. The only way to get it into 1st now is to pull up like you’re going into R but then you have to really nurse it to find 1st between R and 3rd. It’s like a hairline difference and you miss it.

I’m super bummed. Been without a my Jeep for 2 months waiting for the CF clutch to come in and now this.

Any tips on what I can tell the shop would be super helpful.

That’s an adjustment issue of the cable shifter mechanism.
Gregj

 

[Toycrusher]

@Willing&Able - did you ever confirm what the issue was and get it resolved? I just had the Centerforce II put in my 2020 JLU and when I went to pick it up from the shop it has similar issues. It’s like the shifter is misaligned. Where 1st is there’s now 3rd, where second is there’s now 4th, where 3rd should be there’s 5th, etc. Basically the entire shifter has shifted left. And so 1st is nom existent. The only way to get it into 1st now is to pull up like you’re going into R but then you have to really nurse it to find 1st between R and 3rd. It’s like a hairline difference and you miss it.

I’m super bummed. Been without a my Jeep for 2 months waiting for the CF clutch to come in and now this.

Any tips on what I can tell the shop would be super helpful.

As Gregj said, yup, the shop accidentally moved the shift alignment. There is a procedure to align it. I've done it but it's been a while and I don't recall the steps

 

[roaniecowpony]

Yea Mark, unfortunately you’re going to have to resolve this even if it means having the transmission pulled down again. The forks in your trans are not a hardened steel. They won’t be able to withstand that kind of pressure on them permanently. As a matter of fact I believe the owners manual encourages you to not even rest your hand on the shifter when driving because it causes wear.

The shift forks in a manual trans are usually a steel fork (U shaped), on a steel rod. The synchronizers are usually a brass ring with a cone bore. What happens when the shifter is abused or excessive force is applied, is the syncronizer can split or wear fast. If the syncro splits, it won't do its job and you'll essentially have an old, old style "crash box" for that gear.

To me, the clutch sounds like it's dragging (not fully disengaging) when depressed. That could be a condition caused by improper adjustment or a charateristic of this particular clutch when new. I'd give the clutch manufacturer a call and see if they can advise.

 

[TahoeTaylor]

As Gregj said, yup, the shop accidentally moved the shift alignment. There is a procedure to align it. I've done it but it's been a while and I don't recall the steps

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.

 

[Willing&Able]

Keep us posted, if this fixes my issue I'd be in debt to you fine sir!

 

[TahoeTaylor]

Keep us posted, if this fixes my issue I'd be in debt to you fine sir!

Will do! Latest from the shop is that they were able to follow the instructions I sent them and while they’ve been adjusting the cables they still cannot get the shifter to line up properly. It’s actually resting over the plastic lip that you “hop” over by pulling up the collar to put it in reverse. I’m gonna swing by tomorrow and see if I can get some more pics of it. Nothing seems broken or malfunctioning it’s just that it’s not aligned. This shop (Folbeck 4x4 in Reno NV) has been here in town since 1978 has a great reputation and the guy who did the install has been there for 30 years. It’s just their first JL and seems a bit of a learning curve. I hope with continued adjustments they get it right.

 

[TahoeTaylor]

Keep us posted, if this fixes my issue I'd be in debt to you fine sir!

Update: Good news, the instructions I provided to adjust the shifter cables worked! Copying in the my recap that I posted under another thread here for reference. Good luck @Willing&Able - I hope the instructions I uploaded work for your issue as well.

I just picked my 2020 JLUR from the shop and it drives flawlessly with the Centerforce II installed. The clutch feels a thousand times better than the factory clutch and that annoying whirring sound you get when shifting (rev hang I think) is gone! The pedal is much stiffer to my liking and feels like an actual manual. The entire setup feels much more substantial. This is my 3rd clutch in this vehicle (the first two were factory clutches) and I have just under 35k total mileage on it. I sincerely hope the CF II lasts at least 80-100k miles.

The shop told me they had to spend some time with the adjustments on the cables and after taking them farther than they initially did it corrected the alignment issue that popped up after they did the CF II clutch install. For anyone else with shifter alignment issues like this after the clutch install, you can scroll up for the instructions that I posted in an earlier reply.

I'll provide another update in a hundred miles or so and then a few others after that as I know lots of us have been anxious to hear how the CF II performs. 25 miles in and it's a dream. My total price breakdown below:

-CF II clutch from ExtremeTerrain (I ordered early and they honored the lower pricing that appeared by mistake on their website): $1,190.86
-Clutch install by reputable 4X4 shop in business since 1978 (Folbeck 4 Wheel Drive, Reno, NV): $2644.40
-TOTAL: $3,835.26

 

[Willing&Able]

Update: Good news, the instructions I provided to adjust the shifter cables worked! Copying in the my recap that I posted under another thread here for reference. Good luck @Willing&Able - I hope the instructions I uploaded work for your issue as well.

I just picked my 2020 JLUR from the shop and it drives flawlessly with the Centerforce II installed. The clutch feels a thousand times better than the factory clutch and that annoying whirring sound you get when shifting (rev hang I think) is gone! The pedal is much stiffer to my liking and feels like an actual manual. The entire setup feels much more substantial. This is my 3rd clutch in this vehicle (the first two were factory clutches) and I have just under 35k total mileage on it. I sincerely hope the CF II lasts at least 80-100k miles.

The shop told me they had to spend some time with the adjustments on the cables and after taking them farther than they initially did it corrected the alignment issue that popped up after they did the CF II clutch install. For anyone else with shifter alignment issues like this after the clutch install, you can scroll up for the instructions that I posted in an earlier reply.

I'll provide another update in a hundred miles or so and then a few others after that as I know lots of us have been anxious to hear how the CF II performs. 25 miles in and it's a dream. My total price breakdown below:

-CF II clutch from ExtremeTerrain (I ordered early and they honored the lower pricing that appeared by mistake on their website): $1,190.86
-Clutch install by reputable 4X4 shop in business since 1978 (Folbeck 4 Wheel Drive, Reno, NV): $2644.40
-TOTAL: $3,835.26

Thanks for the update and keep us posted as you put miles on it....but ouch on that labor bill! Sad we have to spend $4k to replace something deficient from the factory...

 

[sstuner]

@TahoeTaylor, thank you for providing the shift cable alignment information.

 

[roaniecowpony]

You can often get a better deal on labor by having the shop order the parts. They make a cut from the parts. My friend that owns a shop said he doesn't like installing parts purchased by customers. I think that's a common position throughout the industry.

 

[Vinman]

You can often get a better deal on labor by having the shop order the parts. They make a cut from the parts. My friend that owns a shop said he doesn't like installing parts purchased by customers. I think that's a common position throughout the industry.

I always let any shop that supplies labour also supply the parts.
Two reasons, first is the support the shop by giving them a bit of mark-up on the parts and more importantly, if anything goes wrong it’s on them.
Screw arguing over poor installation vs defective parts, either way, if they supplied the defective parts they can deal with having then replaced.

 

[Az-jewel]

I just had the CF II clutch installed on my 2018 JLU. I expect a break in period as this is my first CF clutch. But it's very stiff, especially in 1st gear and reverse. Is that what you experienced too? There are times it won't come out of 1st gear, but after a few tries it will. Same with reverse, or even going into reverse. I have to really work at it and force it. Other times it's fine. It almost feels like going into 4Lo the first few times - like something isn't aligned right. Does that make sense?
The other gears aren't much of an issue. I'm hoping it's just the break in, but the 1st gear reluctance is the biggest issue right now.
I'm going to post in the other threads too, but would appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[roaniecowpony]

I just had the CF II clutch installed on my 2018 JLU. I expect a break in period as this is my first CF clutch. But it's very stiff, especially in 1st gear and reverse. Is that what you experienced too? There are times it won't come out of 1st gear, but after a few tries it will. Same with reverse, or even going into reverse. I have to really work at it and force it. Other times it's fine. It almost feels like going into 4Lo the first few times - like something isn't aligned right. Does that make sense?
The other gears aren't much of an issue. I'm hoping it's just the break in, but the 1st gear reluctance is the biggest issue right now.
I'm going to post in the other threads too, but would appreciate any input. Thanks!

Sounds like it isn't releasing completely. Contact your installer.

 

[Canjeeper]

Sounds like poor bleeding of the hydraulic clutch .

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