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

[58Willys]

SadRobot- Did ACT check friction disk alignment? Curious if the sticky lube and/or poor disk alignment exacerbated one or the other.

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[SadRobot]

SadRobot- Did ACT check friction disk alignment? Curious if the sticky lube and/or poor disk alignment exacerbated one or the other.

Everything was aligned. Besides the grease and forgetting to put some bolts back, the transmission shop installed the clutch correctly.

 

[Actman]

I thought I would chime in while I have a minute. The grease we use is a ceramic lubricant with fairly low viscosity and it has a very slippery feel to it. I don't have specs handy. Although the shifting issue was due to the disc splines, I am amazed at how sensitive the Aisin transmission is to this. I swear if I had this issue on my JK, it wouldn't act like hitting a wall as it does on the JL/JT. Instead it would just require more force to get it into gear. What surprises me is that when hitting that wall, on the lift it still doesn't even move the tires. That tells me the drag on the clutch disc is still very light.

The same thick grease was also used on the release bearing guide tube so there was a lot of friction there too. That wouldn't affect disengagement or shifting, but it does increase pedal effort. I think SaddRobot can attest to how much lighter and smoother the pedal feels.

 

[SadRobot]

I thought I would chime in while I have a minute. The grease we use is a ceramic lubricant with fairly low viscosity and it has a very slippery feel to it. I don't have specs handy. Although the shifting issue was due to the disc splines, I am amazed at how sensitive the Aisin transmission is to this. I swear if I had this issue on my JK, it wouldn't act like hitting a wall as it does on the JL/JT. Instead it would just require more force to get it into gear. What surprises me is that when hitting that wall, on the lift it still doesn't even move the tires. That tells me the drag on the clutch disc is still very light.

The same thick grease was also used on the release bearing guide tube so there was a lot of friction there too. That wouldn't affect disengagement or shifting, but it does increase pedal effort. I think SaddRobot can attest to how much lighter and smoother the pedal feels.

Yes much lighter and smoother feel in the pedal for sure. I wish I had taken a picture of that grease on the splines but I completely forgot in the moment.

 

[gek]

I thought I would chime in while I have a minute. The grease we use is a ceramic lubricant with fairly low viscosity and it has a very slippery feel to it. I don't have specs handy. Although the shifting issue was due to the disc splines, I am amazed at how sensitive the Aisin transmission is to this. I swear if I had this issue on my JK, it wouldn't act like hitting a wall as it does on the JL/JT. Instead it would just require more force to get it into gear. What surprises me is that when hitting that wall, on the lift it still doesn't even move the tires. That tells me the drag on the clutch disc is still very light.

The same thick grease was also used on the release bearing guide tube so there was a lot of friction there too. That wouldn't affect disengagement or shifting, but it does increase pedal effort. I think SaddRobot can attest to how much lighter and smoother the pedal feels.

The lube I found is the correct color and ceramic, but I can't find much info on it and one of the their websites looks like it is still in the 90s.

 

[58Willys]

I thought I would chime in while I have a minute. The grease we use is a ceramic lubricant with fairly low viscosity and it has a very slippery feel to it. I don't have specs handy. Although the shifting issue was due to the disc splines, I am amazed at how sensitive the Aisin transmission is to this. I swear if I had this issue on my JK, it wouldn't act like hitting a wall as it does on the JL/JT. Instead it would just require more force to get it into gear. What surprises me is that when hitting that wall, on the lift it still doesn't even move the tires. That tells me the drag on the clutch disc is still very light.

The same thick grease was also used on the release bearing guide tube so there was a lot of friction there too. That wouldn't affect disengagement or shifting, but it does increase pedal effort. I think SaddRobot can attest to how much lighter and smoother the pedal feels.

Interesting insight. I would not think sticky splines would have that effect either. Weak synchros in the Aisin?

Very glad both of you got to the bottom of this. I’ll be ordering an ACT clutch soon.

 

[autotragic]

I thought I would chime in while I have a minute. The grease we use is a ceramic lubricant with fairly low viscosity and it has a very slippery feel to it. I don't have specs handy. Although the shifting issue was due to the disc splines, I am amazed at how sensitive the Aisin transmission is to this. I swear if I had this issue on my JK, it wouldn't act like hitting a wall as it does on the JL/JT. Instead it would just require more force to get it into gear. What surprises me is that when hitting that wall, on the lift it still doesn't even move the tires. That tells me the drag on the clutch disc is still very light.

The same thick grease was also used on the release bearing guide tube so there was a lot of friction there too. That wouldn't affect disengagement or shifting, but it does increase pedal effort. I think SaddRobot can attest to how much lighter and smoother the pedal feels.

It's wild to me that just a change in grease has that much effect on the clutch system. I've definitely never heard of anything like that before.

I would literally think it was any other problem before it was ever the grease and in fact I did. I just didn't figure there was any way it could make that amount of difference.

 

[Steve104]

It's wild to me that just a change in grease has that much effect on the clutch system. I've definitely never heard of anything like that before.

I would literally think it was any other problem before it was ever the grease and in fact I did. I just didn't figure there was any way it could make that amount of difference.

Yeah, I wonder if the clutch kits from Center Force or South Bend come with their own special grease.

 

[BHank0688]

It's wild to me that just a change in grease has that much effect on the clutch system. I've definitely never heard of anything like that before.

I would literally think it was any other problem before it was ever the grease and in fact I did. I just didn't figure there was any way it could make that amount of difference.

I guess it would be no different than using a heavy amount of random grease on brake pad slides and having them stick in the compressed position/ wouldn’t release all the way: Had that happen before.

 

[fczabala]

Yeah, I wonder if the clutch kits from Center Force or South Bend come with their own special grease.

Centerforce instructions:

"The clutch disc splines of your new assembly have been factory-lubricated with DRY MOLY. Do NOT apply any additional lubrication to the disc splines or the transmission input shaft. The presence of grease, oil, or anti-seize compounds can attract contaminants from the clutch friction material, leading to sticky buildup that hinders the free movement of the disc on the input shaft. Ensure that the disc and transmission splines are completely clean, burr-free, and DRY at the time of installation."

 

[Duece McCracken]

Centerforce instructions:

"The clutch disc splines of your new assembly have been factory-lubricated with DRY MOLY. Do NOT apply any additional lubrication to the disc splines or the transmission input shaft. The presence of grease, oil, or anti-seize compounds can attract contaminants from the clutch friction material, leading to sticky buildup that hinders the free movement of the disc on the input shaft. Ensure that the disc and transmission splines are completely clean, burr-free, and DRY at the time of installation."

Lmao, if only people read the instructions...

I cant remember what grease I used on my ACT, but its now contaminated and binding. I do remember going extra thin on it though, but that has not worked out well, lmfao

 

[fczabala]

Lmao, if only people read the instructions...

I cant remember what grease I used on my ACT, but its now contaminated and binding. I do remember going extra thin on it though, but that has not worked out well, lmfao

I know mine has the lube provided with the kit, and also a very light coating, I believe my issue is corrosion after looking at my stock clutch and one of your pics and also the guy who replaced his, there is a fair amount of rust inside the clutch disc splines

this is my stock clutch after 16550 miles

 

[Duece McCracken]

I know mine has the lube provided with the kit, and also a very light coating, I believe my issue is corrosion after looking at my stock clutch and one of your pics and also the guy who replaced his, there is a fair amount of rust inside the clutch disc splines

Wow, that is a lot of rust!!!

Do you do a lot of puddles/water crossings? I deal with a lot of snow and salt, but dont have nearly that much rust.

 

[fczabala]

Wow, that is a lot of rust!!!

Do you do a lot of puddles/water crossings? I deal with a lot of snow and salt, but dont have nearly that much rust.

I plead the 5th

Edit - lol jk, I don't shy away from water crossings, but I do drive on the beach every time I get during the summer, my folks live by the water and their block gets flooded from time to time so I have crossed salt water once or twice, not too deep thou

I do stay away from mud, I don't like mud, I would not want the bell housing full of mud

 

[gek]

I know mine has the lube provided with the kit, and also a very light coating, I believe my issue is corrosion after looking at my stock clutch and one of your pics and also the guy who replaced his, there is a fair amount of rust inside the clutch disc splines

How does it look that bad at so few miles? Here is my stock one at 15625

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