Fix for clutch engagement point?

[DP79]

Not sure I'm posting in the right section, but since the clutch issues with the 6-speed manual have been dominating here, I figured I'd keep it going. With both the stock clutch (that I originally had) and the ACT clutch (that I now have), the engagement point on the clutch pedal has been consistently high, about 3/4 or 4/5 of the travel from the floor. The running joke with my local mechanic is that your knee is practically in your chest by the time a JL clutch catches. (There was a brief moment when I first had the ACT clutch installed that it caught much lower, but that disappeared over the first month or so.) My question is this: has anyone with either the stock clutch or an aftermarket clutch found a fix to this? Or did anyone that had the recall done feel like the issue was solved with the new parts (and stayed that way)? It's not the worst problem to have, but if there is something I can get done to fix it, I'm willing to throw more money at this problem. Thanks.

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[Actman]

I find this really strange since I haven't heard of this issue before. Most complaints are of the clutch engaging too low, not too high. I wish you were local so we could examine the Jeep. There is a fixed ratio between the pedal travel and the release bearing to operate the clutch, so it is hard to imagine what could cause this.

The only thing that comes to mind is preload. If the pedal is not allowed to return to the top of the stroke, the master cylinder will no longer adjust the fluid volume needed. Since the clutch can no longer self-adjust, the engagement point will become higher. Try backing off the clutch pedal switch to allow the pedal to come up higher. If that is the issue, it will immediately change the engagement point.

 

[DP79]

I find this really strange since I haven't heard of this issue before. Most complaints are of the clutch engaging too low, not too high. I wish you were local so we could examine the Jeep. There is a fixed ratio between the pedal travel and the release bearing to operate the clutch, so it is hard to imagine what could cause this.

The only thing that comes to mind is preload. If the pedal is not allowed to return to the top of the stroke, the master cylinder will no longer adjust the fluid volume needed. Since the clutch can no longer self-adjust, the engagement point will become higher. Try backing off the clutch pedal switch to allow the pedal to come up higher. If that is the issue, it will immediately change the engagement point.

Dirk - Thanks for the feedback. Wish I was more technically savvy, but unfortunately I'm not sure I understand what you mean by preload. Are you referring to revving up the throttle before letting up on the clutch? If so, I barely do that as is, since with the ACT, you can pretty much let off the clutch without gas to get moving. Not sure about backing off the clutch pedal switch either. Sounds like you're talking more about a technique rather than a fix, but I'll take whatever advice you can give me or I can pass along to my mechanic. Thanks.

 

[JT1]

Dirk - Thanks for the feedback. Wish I was more technically savvy, but unfortunately I'm not sure I understand what you mean by preload. Are you referring to revving up the throttle before letting up on the clutch? If so, I barely do that as is, since with the ACT, you can pretty much let off the clutch without gas to get moving. Not sure about backing off the clutch pedal switch either. Sounds like you're talking more about a technique rather than a fix, but I'll take whatever advice you can give me or I can pass along to my mechanic. Thanks.

Dirk is telling you there is a mechanical switch that limits how high the pedal can return. If its adjusted too low, the master won't adjust the volume of fluid it pushes when you hit the pedal.

 

[DP79]

I gotcha. That makes sense. I'll ask my Jeep tech to take a look at that. Appreciate it.

 

[DP79]

Just a follow up, I spoke to my Jeep transmission mechanic about this, and he wasn't aware of any specific adjustment you can make to the clutch pedal to fix this. He said the whole thing is one sealed unit, and the hydraulic clutch will basically self-adjust within the first month of driving and stay there. Is there any specific part of the clutch pedal I can point him to that would enable this adjustment to be made?

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