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

[OldGuyNewJeep]

ACT might be able to chime in but I think the center force has a different throw length with their clutch. I didn’t that setup would work with the ACT.

I’m too lazy to find the posts, but you’re correct. Dirk has commented more than once that using CF hydraulics would result in clutch grabbing at the floor, if it even disengages.

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[ski-line900]

Looks like about the same price as the CFII with internal hydraulics.

https://www.centerforce.com/i-30500...fits-jeep-gladiator-and-wrangler-3-6l.html?q=


I'd pay a good amount of money right now to someone who could install a clutch that's going to work long term and solve my problems. Just seems a clutch system that will do that just doesn't exist for the JL.

Not many reviews yet, but the ones I've heard of have been really positive. I am going to try South Bend over CF, hopeful that it works better with the stock hydraulics.

There have been plenty of issues with CF, that I wouldn't have high confidence when switching from ACT. The internal bearing may be better, but that brings with it a whole new set of worries about pulling trans if ever an issue or leak. I had the McLeod for about a week before the trans was coming back out cause the seals blew and puked all the fluid inside the bell housing.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

I am going to try South Bend over CF, hopeful that it works better with the stock hydraulics.

Do they use stock operating system like ACT? I’ll be very interested in your review!

 

[SadRobot]

Not many reviews yet, but the ones I've heard of have been really positive. I am going to try South Bend over CF, hopeful that it works better with the stock hydraulics.

There have been plenty of issues with CF, that I wouldn't have high confidence when switching from ACT. The internal bearing may be better, but that brings with it a whole new set of worries about pulling trans if ever an issue or leak. I had the McLeod for about a week before the trans was coming back out cause the seals blew and puked all the fluid inside the bell housing.

Ooof. Well I know ACT is on vacation but Dirk and I have been in contact and he/ACT are willing to work with me on getting some sort of resolution here.

Nothing is going to happen soon though. For some reason they only have 1 tech at the entire dealer that can bleed a Jeep. I'm going to call them Monday and tell them once he gets back just bleed it and I'll come pick it up.

Then I'll have ACT inspect the clutch. Maybe something fell out of alignment in there. Who knows at this point.

 

[gek]

Well, i had 15,000 miles(which is like 1/4 or less expected life of this clutch iirc) of flawless operation on my ACT, and the Promass made rock crawling and daily driving much better.

I have had the "Chewbacca Groan" on initial rub the whole time. Hydraulics havnt made any distinct sounds. Clutch grabs great, no issues there.

Really feels like a crap hydraulic pairing. JL/JT have that super soft twin disc. So they have real light duty hydraulics. Makes sense that they dont hold up to a heavier single mass.

Hopefully the Centerforce hydraulics fix this. If not, then I burn my JT to the ground and just buy a Geo Tracker to wheel.

I have a 2.0L diesel Jetta, if I have to, I'm building a diesel Samurai.

 

[fczabala]

really hoping @Actman comes up with something once they do their investigations? worst case scenario I'll reach out to a local clutch manufacturer that's been recommended to me to see if they can come up with something

I'm not ready to give up on my manual wrangler

if everything points to the hydraulic system, hopefully it's just a materials issue and a stronger master/slave can be manufactured with steel braided lines

but if it's a design issue then I think we won't have a solution for a while until someone puts up the money to design one then test it and then manufacture

this might be the same issue that's burning down jeeps since 2018, and jeep just developed a software to limp the wrangler before it burns down SMH

 

[m3reno]

What's weird is my 2018 had 0 issues with the clutch and my 2022 is a hot mess.

 

[mudpup]

Centerforce added another tb option.

 

[azwjowner]

ACT have commented many times that the CF hydraulics will not work with their clutch.

I’ve got about 12,000 miles (18 months- I don’t drive luck) on my ACT. It’s exhibited the 1st/reverse issue a handful of times. It’s definitely heat related.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...dvanced-clutch-technology.111416/post-2360429

 

[AlgUSF]

What's weird is my 2018 had 0 issues with the clutch and my 2022 is a hot mess.

My 2021 has had absolutely no issues from the factory.

Got the 19A recall done immediately the transmission got replaced.

<sigh>

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...dvanced-clutch-technology.111416/post-2360429

Nice. Definitely a softer response than last year’s. Interested to hear some real world reviews!

 

[teedublya]

I’m too lazy to find the posts, but you’re correct. Dirk has commented more than once that using CF hydraulics would result in clutch grabbing at the floor, if it even disengages.

The ACT guys told me over the phone that I could use the CF hydraulics with the ACT clutch in a pinch. I was indeed in a pinch (my CF clutch was having similar symptoms as the OP here) so that's the setup I'm running now and it's been really good for a few thousand miles. The engagement zone is around the middle of the pedal travel.

 

[mudpup]

Wonder why we haven’t had a single review of South Bend, yet. Maybe because they’re so expensive?

https://www.southbendclutch.com/clutches/13326/

What are the flywheel specs?
No mention and the SB kits offered beyond the dual-mass kit say flywheel not included at the high price tag.
Just a hunch that floater plate with the dual disc gets noisy over time imo.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Maybe everyone has seen this old 2023 thread already, but I thought I'd post a link to it anyway. Looks like there was no resolution to their problem of squeaking and difficulty shifting.
Manual transmission Center Force II getting stuck in 1st and reverse. **UPDATE** attached video of sound | Page 3 | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) -- Rubicon, 4xe, 392, Sahara, Sport - JLwranglerforums.com

After having worked on @SadRobot 's clutch hydraulic system for a few times, I suspect the creaking is from an internal problem with the piston-cylinder friction/stiction, possibly from a small side load caused by the geometry of the pedal or clutch fork, in combination with the materials used in the piston and cylinder not being tolerant of the extra force from the ACT clutch. This creaking could be allowing air past the seals. I can't tell if it's the master or the slave. It's all just speculation on my part.

 

[m3reno]

Can we use the Center Force upgraded hydraulic master and slave cylinder with the stock set up? I'm leaning more towards the hydraulics as my issues seem to have started after some spirited driving through the twisty mountains. Something is not holding up!

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