Manual Transmission - Issues shifting into 1st & Reverse (Compilation thread)

[ski-line900]

Good job, that master is a bit of a pain to change.

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[OldGuyNewJeep]

Well, drove into work on it. Clutch feels good. Shifts are much better. 1st and R are no issues at all. 5th, Im not sure. Its not what it was, but I need more time on it.

Obviously I need more time on it. I have 40 miles on this setup right now.

I'm pretty sure I could have bled the stock hydraulics and gotten the same results.

The reservior is sectioned, you have to fill past the max line to get fluid to the clutch pickup. Just a FYI

Thanks for those pictures. That slave does not look any beefier to me. Just the same plastic but with a metal extender? Am I missing something? Trying to understand how it’s “better” than stock.

 

[azwjowner]

Thanks for those pictures. That slave does not look any beefier to me. Just the same plastic but with a metal extender? Am I missing something? Trying to understand how it’s “better” than stock.

That was the hypothesis but I agree, this looks consistent with ACT's statement that the JK hydraulics are slightly different in ratio, but aren't any beefier than JL.

 

[Duece McCracken]

Thanks for those pictures. That slave does not look any beefier to me. Just the same plastic but with a metal extender? Am I missing something? Trying to understand how it’s “better” than stock.

The reason was for better hydraulic advantage/parts meant to see a heavier duty.

The JK have larger bores on the master and the slave pistons.

Both JK and JL assemblies are metal rods that have overmolded plastic.

Clutch rub is higher on the pedal. Operation is way quieter/smoother.

I lubed the pivot for the master cylinder to pedal connection. This was after noticing that there was plastic dust around this location when I popped the OEM master connection. Looks like it was binding/high friction. Which was interesting.

 

[Duece McCracken]

Good job, that master is a bit of a pain to change.

Actually, besides my large self trying to get under the dash, it was the easiest clutch master I've done. 1/4 turn into the firewall, genius!! Lol

 

[Duece McCracken]

100 miles on the setup. Its shifting great, but hit the reverse/1st lockout this morning. Clutch hydraulics are going to get bled again, but most likely ruled out.

Next step is pulling out the center consul, and checking for any physical obstructions. Performing a shifter cable adjustment in the process.

Im just taking this one step at a time. My slave had blown out previously, i reset it and never bled it, 15,000 miles ago. So I needed to rule out hydraulics. Swapping to JK stuff was more for feel/hydraulic advantage.

Going to borescope top of trans for foreign debris as well. I have a bunch of pics from inside the bell housing, just gotta pull them off the borescope. I didnt see any smoking gun yet. Which is always the poo poo when troubleshooting.

So the saga continues!!! Lol

 

[SadRobot]

100 miles on the setup. Its shifting great, but hit the reverse/1st lockout this morning. Clutch hydraulics are going to get bled again, but most likely ruled out.

Next step is pulling out the center consul, and checking for any physical obstructions. Performing a shifter cable adjustment in the process.

Im just taking this one step at a time. My slave had blown out previously, i reset it and never bled it, 15,000 miles ago. So I needed to rule out hydraulics. Swapping to JK stuff was more for feel/hydraulic advantage.

Going to borescope top of trans for foreign debris as well. I have a bunch of pics from inside the bell housing, just gotta pull them off the borescope. I didnt see any smoking gun yet. Which is always the poo poo when troubleshooting.

So the saga continues!!! Lol

Oh disappointing BUT the it could be some air still remained in there and gathered in the line. I'll be interested to hear what happens if you do another dry vacuum for a couple of hours.

Funny you say about the master cylinder. So you turned it from the inside? I got mine out from the other side and it was a huge pain. Looks like I biffed this entire situation from all directions. lol

 

[Duece McCracken]

Oh disappointing BUT the it could be some air still remained in there and gathered in the line. I'll be interested to hear what happens if you do another dry vacuum for a couple of hours.

Funny you say about the master cylinder. So you turned it from the inside? I got mine out from the other side and it was a huge pain. Looks like I biffed this entire situation from all directions. lol

It's not hydraulics. The fact that its the forward throw gears kinda points to just one of the shifter cables/shifting interfaces having issues.

I treated the master like a locknut, from under the hood I placed a screwdriver against one of the shoulders and tapped it to rotate it. Did the same for installation. Theres only 2 real spots you can get a flathead to initiate rotation. A trim tool was used to unhook the master from the pedal, and snap the new one on after I lubed up that pivot.

Getting my hand on the clutch master electrical connector was crappy. That wiring harness is right on it, lol.

While I was under the Jeep, I inspected all the trans/engine mounts and supports. Just in case something loose/broken is causing misalignment. But no dice there.

 

[SadRobot]

It's not hydraulics. The fact that its the forward throw gears kinda points to just one of the shifter cables/shifting interfaces having issues.

I treated the master like a locknut, from under the hood I placed a screwdriver against one of the shoulders and tapped it to rotate it. Did the same for installation. Theres only 2 real spots you can get a flathead to initiate rotation. A trim tool was used to unhook the master from the pedal, and snap the new one on after I lubed up that pivot.

Getting my hand on the clutch master electrical connector was crappy. That wiring harness is right on it, lol.

While I was under the Jeep, I inspected all the trans/engine mounts and supports. Just in case something loose/broken is causing misalignment. But no dice there.

Ah ok the you did what we did. Getting it to rotate that 1/4 turn was kind of a pain and the brake booster and wiring harness in the way.

Well keep posting your findings once you do cable adjustments. I'm hoping to get my Jeep back next week to continue troubleshooting.

 

[Duece McCracken]

Ah ok the you did what we did. Getting it to rotate that 1/4 turn was kind of a pain and the brake booster and wiring harness in the way.

Well keep posting your findings once you do cable adjustments. I'm hoping to get my Jeep back next week to continue troubleshooting.

I figure between all of us we should come up with something, lol

Or we all go insane together. Lmao

 

[Duece McCracken]

Ok, I just got first lockout stationary, so I pulled the shifter down off center a smidge, but didnt shift to second, and it went right into first. Interesting...

 

[fspalt]

I was looking into doing the cable adjustment but since I'm not having issues shifting when moving I decided to not mess with it. It would be nice if we had a video of someone doing this though. The process in the bulletin seems pretty confusing to me.

Ok, I just got first lockout stationary, so I pulled the shifter down off center a smidge, but didnt shift to second, and it went right into first. Interesting...

 

[Gator Overland]

Ok, I just got first lockout stationary, so I pulled the shifter down off center a smidge, but didnt shift to second, and it went right into first. Interesting...

When you say 1st lockout while stationary, does this mean youre unable to engage 1st while stationary, or youre unable to get it out of 1st while stationary?
The way i perceive the post, youre in first and having trouble getting the shifter out of gear to proceed to the next gear or neutral position, and by putting light side pressure on the shifter while trying pull it out of gear it eventually releases? is that right?

Also, when your engine is off how is the shifter operation into each gear? Is it buttery smooth or does it still have a resistance or hang up engaging some or all the gears?

 

[Duece McCracken]

When you say 1st lockout while stationary, does this mean youre unable to engage 1st while stationary, or youre unable to get it out of 1st while stationary?
The way i perceive the post, youre in first and having trouble getting the shifter out of gear to proceed to the next gear or neutral position, and by putting light side pressure on the shifter while trying pull it out of gear it eventually releases? is that right?

Also, when your engine is off how is the shifter operation into each gear? Is it buttery smooth or does it still have a resistance or hang up engaging some or all the gears?

Car is running, stationary, trans in neutral, clutch depressed, trying to shift into first. I get 1st and reverse lockout ( as in "Locked Out" of) preventing engagement, and have gotten stuck in reverse, but not first.

People as a work around, fully shift to second then into first, I am determing if the full action is needed. Attempt one has informed me that just apon 1st gear lockout, I just shift slightly towards 2nd, then i can shift into first. Not actually shifting into second at all.

Jeep shifts fine while not running, but I've never shut it down at lockout and tried to shift in. Which I will do next time it occurs. Just to gather more data.

 

[LatteSipper]

I’ve experienced the same; “locked out” of first, release the shifter so it recenters, then try 1st again and it occasionally slips in. Other times I barely back off the lockout and it works, or I need to go fully into 2nd, other times I have to go to 4th.

I’ve also experienced the shifter stuck in 1st and reverse, until exceeding about 5mph. Example, backing or pulling out of the garage, shifter stuck in gear unless yanking hard or exceeding 5mph.

Think we’ve all got similar symptoms regardless of hydraulic system. After ACT posted a few days ago I’m thinking a grease issue on the input shaft. But I don’t have the time or know how to crack the transmission housing open. Also since Dirk’s post I have been shifting more slowly and deliberately into 3rd and that has reduced the number of times that gear presents a challenge. I think over time on the 2-3 shift I was just getting used to the shifter and moving more quickly than a couple years ago.

At this point, I’m taking the approach it’s a quirk that I’ll live with. I’m still curious what people here end up doing…

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