Loud shifting noise

[MMerlinb]

This is my second post in my noise question series. It is in regards to my loud gear shift noise. Have had the JLU sport manual transmission since July, has 2700 miles on it.
Have recently noticed, especially with the windows open, that when I cycle through gears with the clutch pressed in that The Sound is a very loud clunking as I cycle through the gears. It doesn’t grind, it’s not hard to shift, it just sounds very loud. May not be abnormal but as with the other sounds I’m hearing, I didn’t notice it being this loud until this week.
The jeep still drives and shifts like normal except that down shifting doesn’t seem as drastic as normal in regards to engine breaking. But it drives pretty normal. I’m not sure but I “might” hear a slight metallic rattling when the engine is under load (as long as I’m giving it gas) but I could just be imagining it. Maybe something is loose?
Not my first or second manual vehicle. Had a manual Saturn and then a brand new manual 2004 wrangler for 7 years. So I’m not new to driving manuals or even manual jeeps. I just didn’t notice this clunking noise being so loud. I could hear the gears cycling/clunking but it didn’t seem this loud until this week.
Attached is a video of the gears cycling with the clutch pressed in.

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[Reflektr]

I just bought a manual JLU in August and I have also noticed a “clack” or a “clunk” upon shifting. Being an equipment mechanic and just a generally curious person by nature, I slid underneath it one night after work to investigate. What I found was I could rock the output on the transfer case back and forth and make the same noise I was hearing. I’ve been told it’s normal, but whether or not it’s hurting anything I couldn’t tell you. I honestly think it’s just loading and unloading the t-case as you’re shifting.I have found that if you hold your mouth just right and say a prayer to the wiggle-stick gods while shifting to achieve the “perfect shift”, it won’t do it.

 

[MMerlinb]

I have definitely been doing that, have you been watching me? Lol but seriously, thanks, I appreciate your reply. I drove to a local dealership who had a manual listed on their site. I was going to test drive it to compare sounds but…it was sold by the time I got there. Manuals are hard to find!
Appreciate your response, guess I’ll keep an eye/ear on it, send up a little prayer to the shift gods and keep driving/enjoying it!

 

[Reflektr]

Hey no sweat. And I know right? lol. Tonight on my way home it was like I couldn’t get a perfect shift to save my life. And I’m not necessarily a rookie driving manual. I was honestly thinking about doing the same thing, because the dealer I bought mine from still has the mango-smoothie manual JL that was parked next to mine. At least I’m hoping what we’re hearing is no cause for alarm.

 

[MMerlinb]

Same lol I learned on an ‘87 Chevy 3 speed, had a manual 3 door Saturn sport coup, a manual 04 TJ wrangler with the 5 speed and now this. I mean there was a chunk of time between the two jeeps but I definitely wouldn’t consider myself a rookie lol

If you do end up testing out that mango smoothie lol let me know how it goes! I’ll do the same if I can ever find another manual around where I’m at.

 

[AlgUSF]

Those noises are normal, my Jeep did it with the first transmission then the folks at the stealership broke that transmission during the 19A recall and installed a brand new transmission, makes exactly the same noises. I drove a brand new 2024 a bit ago, makes the same noises. It's "normal".

 

[Reflektr]

Hey since we are on the subject and you also have a manual, have you ever noticed a lag or a stuttering when you are in 3rd gear? The best way to describe how it feels for me anyways would be similar to rowing a canoe through pudding. Another person on here said theirs stopped doing it around 1,500 miles. I wasn’t sure if anyone else had experienced this Jeep phenomena as well? lol.

 

[MMerlinb]

I’m not sure if it’s the same thing you’re referring to but I have experienced a slight stuttering sometimes or even a possible momentary “miss” though on the Miss I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or if it’s really a Miss. But yes occasionally in 2nd but probably usually 3rd I get a slight stutter or lag and then it zooms ahead or resumes normal power.

 

[Sardaukar]

I've always had a problems with 3rd gear. It always takes an extra push to get it to go in. And after my factory clutch burned up at 25k miles, my CenterForce clutch is no better for getting into 3rd gear.

 

[Reflektr]

I’m not sure if it’s the same thing you’re referring to but I have experienced a slight stuttering sometimes or even a possible momentary “miss” though on the Miss I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or if it’s really a Miss. But yes occasionally in 2nd but probably usually 3rd I get a slight stutter or lag and then it zooms ahead or resumes normal power.

Yep, this is exactly what I’m referring to. I’m wondering what or why right there and no other time? This is my first Jeep so I’m genuinely intrigued. And as a mechanic, the behavior of these things and what the manufacturer deems “normal” is mind-blowing.

 

[MMerlinb]

In some ways, it still feels like my Tj, in other ways, all these little things, I just remember having any issues whatsoever with the TJ. I never questioned anything, I just started it and it ran like a dream. Maybe the quality really has gone down, Maybe it’s all the electrical/computer crap in these new ones. Wish I knew. I just pretty much stay constantly on the lookout (listening, feeling etc) and try to hope it’s all just normal lol.
You’re a mechanic so you’re one up on me, you would probably know better lol.

 

[MMerlinb]

I also have an issue where, when I’m leaving my parking spot at work, the jeep surges forward, accelerating until I quick hit the clutch and then it goes back to normal. It only happens when I’m leaving work it seems like. And only for that initial burst/movement. As soon as I hit the clutch again, it operates as normal. Wierd.

 

[Sardaukar]

I also have an issue where, when I’m leaving my parking spot at work, the jeep surges forward, accelerating until I quick hit the clutch and then it goes back to normal. It only happens when I’m leaving work it seems like. And only for that initial burst/movement. As soon as I hit the clutch again, it operates as normal. Wierd.

I've noticed similar after starting. Generally does it until the high rpms at start up calm down. I now wait after starting until it settles down to 1k before going.

 

[Reflektr]

I also have an issue where, when I’m leaving my parking spot at work, the jeep surges forward, accelerating until I quick hit the clutch and then it goes back to normal. It only happens when I’m leaving work it seems like. And only for that initial burst/movement. As soon as I hit the clutch again, it operates as normal. Wierd.

Mine also does this but it’s only after it sits overnight. The clutch grabs when you go to take off like you can actually feel a strong engagement point. After it gets warmed up by the end of the street it’s back to normal. I would assume it’s just the hydraulic clutch.

 

[MMerlinb]

Mine is more than a strong engagement point it’s an actual acceleration. I do know what you mean about the strong engagement feeling i definitely have that too when i first take off. This is an active acceleration that will continue with my foot off the gas, faster and faster until I tap the clutch.

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