Clutch Kits for a JLUR

[AVGeek99]

There are probably many posts that cover my question, but father-in-law passed away this morning so I don't have a lot of time to research.

I have a 2021 JLUR 3.6L 6MT with 20k miles. I'm aware of the issues with the factory clutch, but up until this weekend it has held up very well including 2.5 weeks of wheeling in Moab. This weekend I wen through some mud and then the clutch started acting up on the way home. I never onec came close to getting stuck so I was not torturing the clutch by any means. It has held up well and I actually like how it drives.

That being said, the clutch has now failed. Consensus is I must have gotten mud up in the bell housing. On the hour drive home on Saturday it went from no issues to heavy resistance in the pedal about the last 2-3 inches to the floor, and it got difficult to shift. When I got it home, it would no longer start because I couldn't push the clutch far enough for the sensor to register that it was pushed in. Dash message says push clutch to start. I spent 6+ hours on Sunday spraying water in the bell housing to hopefully clean it out, to no avail.

I now have it in a local shop. They pulled the slave cylinder and it is fully extended and wont retract. The clutch will not engage to take it out of gear. So I need a new clutch.

Centerforce II seems to be the general consensus as a better, more traditional replacement for the stock clutch. It is currently difficult to find in stock plus very expensive, so looking for alternatives. Though price isn't really an issue, if there aren't any decent alternatives.

The other replacements I've found are OEM and then it looks like South Bend Clutch has a few different options (link below). They apear to be similar to the dual plate (stage) design of the stock clutch vs the more traditional single plate design like the Centerforce is. Also the lesser South Bend options appear to be similar in price to the Centerforce and then go up from there.

Wondering if anyone is familiar with the South Bend clutches or if there are other options available. Also thoughts on what should be the best in the long run.

Thanks!

https://www.southbendclutch.com/clutches/13157/

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[Gregj]

I now have it in a local shop. They pulled the slave cylinder and it is fully extended and wont retract. The clutch will not engage to take it out of gear. So I need a new clutch.

This sounds like a hydraulic issue not a clutch issue. With the slave cylinder out of the bell housing it should not be locked up.

If you are going to replace the clutch Centerforce seems like a better deal.

Gregj

 

[AVGeek99]

This sounds like a hydraulic issue not a clutch issue. With the slave cylinder out of the bell housing it should not be locked up.

If you are going to replace the clutch Centerforce seems like a better deal.

Gregj

So if the slave cylinder has been removed from the bell housing and it is still locked up, that points to a hydraulic issue? Sorry, I don't know/understand how clutches work.

Thanks!!

 

[Gregj]

Yes. And those parts are a lot cheaper than a clutch.

Gregj

 

[Northridge4x4]

FWIW- Just got off the phone with Centerforce, they're saying a couple more weeks until they have any JL/JT kits back in stock.

 

[AVGeek99]

Yes. And those parts are a lot cheaper than a clutch.

Gregj

So then to get the clutch unlocked do you just need to drop the tranny, open the bell housing, and take it apart?

Thanks!!

 

[Gregj]

My guess is mud in the slave cylinder that is jamming it up. I don’t know if it can be disassembled and cleaned out but it is probably ruined if it got mud in it. I would have them see if they can free up the cylinder and then bleed it good and see how it goes.

I bet they have to replace it.

Gregj

 

[AVGeek99]

My guess is mud in the slave cylinder that is jamming it up. I don’t know if it can be disassembled and cleaned out but it is probably ruined if it got mud in it. I would have them see if they can free up the cylinder and then bleed it good and see how it goes.

I bet they have to replace it.

Gregj

The thow out bearing was gunked up with sandy gritty sludge. This is what was likely causing the heavy resistance for the last few inches of the clutch pedal. The slave cylinder was toast too. The rubber boot got a hole in it and the hydraulic fluid leaked all over the insides of the bell housing.

It's possible that cleaning it up and putting a new slave cylinder and throw out bearing could solve all my problems. But who's to say it wouldn't fail a few months down the road from the abuse and punishment of forcing it so much while it was all gunked up.

My Center Force clutch kit arrived late this afternoon so I decided to just have them put that it. I should hopefully have my Jeep back tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Actman]

If you are looking for a great upgrade from the stock clutch, consider the new offerings from Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT). See the press release here: https://www.advancedclutch.com/arti...or-JEEP-Wrangler-JL-Gladiator-JT-Applications. Hit me up if you have any questions.

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