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

[azwjowner]

I was referring to the JP6-HDSS vs the JP6-HDG6 which is the Race sprung version. I chose the JP6-HDSS after an exchange with @Actman. The clutch is much better than the oem up and until the resistance to shifting kicks in. Interestingly when it gets hard to shift, the clutch housing is still fairly cool - at least not smoking hot like you would expect if it was sliping.

I also have an issue where I can't start it without stomping on the clutch to get the clutch safety switch (inside the engine bay) to read the clutch being depressed. I am still questioning if the OEM hydralics aren't able to bleed and there is air trapped somewhere.

To be clear, you have the extra heavy "Pro-Mass" flywheel then. The race sprung vs street sprung clutch is a different option. (Anyone who chooses race sprung is insane). For the flywheels, ACT has two choices -- the Street-Mass (JK weight, still 20% or so heavier than the JL stock flywheel) and the Pro-Mass (the even heavier flywheel). So there are four combos of options in total.

This means we've yet to have a report of problems from someone with the Street-Mass JK flywheel weight.

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[Duece McCracken]

I thought I documented mine better but it is mostly a few blurry pics and a pic of the stock clutch at 16k miles.

I took video and a bunch of pics, just never put them into my build thread, lmao.

My Act Promass was a 23' black friday buy. I installed it that Christmas, and have put over 16,000 miles on it. Just running into issues now.

 

[WJ43]

JP6-HDSS is still the pro mass(heavier) flywheel same one the JP6-HDG6 has.

https://www.advancedclutch.com/jp6-hdss-act-heavy-duty-off-road-performance-street-sprung-clutch-kit

https://www.advancedclutch.com/jp6-hdg6-act-heavy-duty-off-road-race-sprung-6-pad-clutch-kit

Here is the JP5-HDSS with the Street Mass flywheel

https://www.advancedclutch.com/jp5-hdss-act-heavy-duty-off-road-performance-street-sprung-clutch-kit

The JP5 and JP6 both have the same torque rating, so I went with the JP6

 

[SadRobot]

Well some bad news to report. It sounds like the dealer tech also had trouble bleeding. The information I could get was that he replaced the slave on Tuesday, then went on vacation. Someone was supposed to test drive it today and they tried to do that and currently it's still not drivable and he sent his assistant techs to get a hose of some kind.

I can only assume it has no pedal. They would not let me talk to the assistant tech on the phone and the desk person has no car knowledge so could not answer what the hose was for or why.

So I have no idea what they did. They said they aren't touching it until the tech gets back on January 7th. So another 2 weeks without a vehicle.

It seems like no matter what I do I seem to make the situation worse. I don't know why I thought the dealer tech had more knowledge than I did. Big mistake.

 

[gek]

Well some bad news to report. It sounds like the dealer tech also had trouble bleeding. The information I could get was that he replaced the slave on Tuesday, then went on vacation. Someone was supposed to test drive it today and they tried to do that and currently it's still not drivable and he sent his assistant techs to get a hose of some kind.

I can only assume it has no pedal. They would not let me talk to the assistant tech on the phone and the desk person has no car knowledge so could not answer what the hose was for or why.

So I have no idea what they did. They said they aren't touching it until the tech gets back on January 7th. So another 2 weeks without a vehicle.

It seems like no matter what I do I seem to make the situation worse. I don't know why I thought the dealer tech had more knowledge than I did. Big mistake.

I figured they had better ways/tools to bleed it.

 

[SadRobot]

I figured they had better ways/tools to bleed it.

It just seems everything I try was the wrong thing. My instict now is to tow it back home but since my instincts have been wrong I guess I'm going to George Costanza it, do the opposite and let it sit at the dealer.

 

[WJ43]

It just seems everything I try was the wrong thing. My instict now is to tow it back home but since my instincts have been wrong I guess I'm going to George Costanza it, do the opposite and let it sit at the dealer.

Sorry to hear your troubles. California dealers are the worst it seems. I haven't had any better luck up here in San Jose

 

[SadRobot]

Sorry to hear your troubles. California dealers are the worst it seems. I haven't had any better luck up here in San Jose

Well it at least my decision of possibly having them do the recall is very easy. No way I'd ever let them do that now. I think I have to have them get it bled and I'll take it back and deal with next steps.

 

[siggy]

Well it at least my decision of possibly having them do the recall is very easy. No way I'd ever let them do that now. I think I have to have them get it bled and I'll take it back and deal with next steps.

Maybe get a plane ticket for chevymitchell to visit? He seems to have magic hands.

 

[SadRobot]

Maybe get a plane ticket for chevymitchell to visit? He seems to have magic hands.

At this point it would have been cheaper. My running total so far for all of this is $1700 and I'd be lucky to even get it back in the state that it was before it went to the dealer.

 

[Duece McCracken]

Well it at least my decision of possibly having them do the recall is very easy. No way I'd ever let them do that now. I think I have to have them get it bled and I'll take it back and deal with next steps.

Oh geez.

Yeah I have zero faith in dealerships.

I have my ducks in a row(oh no, that was an unintended Jeep joke, I swear, lol) to get the Motive power bleeder, borescope, and new slave together for a hopefully fruitful wrench session.

My expectations are low after seeing everything you've done already. Fingers crossed, maybe sacrifice a few goats to the dark lord, really just need a win, lmao

 

[Willing&Able]

Not to pour salt in your wound... but I fought with the 6MT on a 2019 JLUR. I was one of the first customer's on the ACT clutch and ended up having three different versions over a 12-month period and in and out of shops every month over that period. Never engaged correctly long term. It would have better days and worse days, but never good. Mine would 'catch' shifting from second to third and would have to be slowly coaxed into gear. Extremely annoying. I took it to many dealerships many times to no avail. Tried various bleeding techniques and durations (inc overnight) and none worked long term.

Even if shifting was ok, the gear ratios / power is terrible. I too had 37" tires on 4.88's. On the highway I never saw 6th gear so would cruise at 75mph in 5th. The slightest incline and I would begin to lose speed/rpm's and need to downshift into 4th gear - which would kick it out of cruise - until back up to speed on flat road... until the next hill. Over and over again. Painful.

After two years of fighting with it I threw in the towel. Picked up a 20th anniversary 392 w AT and have never been happier. Honestly, I'd cut bait and go w AT....

 

[SadRobot]

Oh geez.

Yeah I have zero faith in dealerships.

I have my ducks in a row(oh no, that was an unintended Jeep joke, I swear, lol) to get the Motive power bleeder, borescope, and new slave together for a hopefully fruitful wrench session.

My expectations are low after seeing everything you've done already. Fingers crossed, maybe sacrifice a few goats to the dark lord, really just need a win, lmao

Just be aware the some of the Motive bleeders are faulty. The one @roaniecowpony purchased had a leak in the lid. You could hear the air coming out and it would not hold a vacuum. He was working on getting the company to send a replacement but not sure if the new one was any better.

 

[SadRobot]

Not to pour salt in your wound... but I fought with the 6MT on a 2019 JLUR. I was one of the first customer's on the ACT clutch and ended up having three different versions over a 12-month period and in and out of shops every month over that period. Never engaged correctly long term. It would have better days and worse days, but never good. Mine would 'catch' shifting from second to third and would have to be slowly coaxed into gear. Extremely annoying. I took it to many dealerships many times to no avail. Tried various bleeding techniques and durations (inc overnight) and none worked long term.

Even if shifting was ok, the gear ratios / power is terrible. I too had 37" tires on 4.88's. On the highway I never saw 6th gear so would cruise at 75mph in 5th. The slightest incline and I would begin to lose speed/rpm's and need to downshift into 4th gear - which would kick it out of cruise - until back up to speed on flat road... until the next hill. Over and over again. Painful.

After two years of fighting with it I threw in the towel. Picked up a 20th anniversary 392 w AT and have never been happier. Honestly, I'd cut bait and go w AT....

Oof I'm sorry to hear all that. I do somewhat regret taking the stock clutch out. I was just worried about it exploding and burning down on the freeway.

 

[Duece McCracken]

Just be aware the some of the Motive bleeders are faulty. The one @roaniecowpony purchased had a leak in the lid. You could hear the air coming out and it would not hold a vacuum. He was working on getting the company to send a replacement but not sure if the new one was any better.

I read that in one of your other posts!

Thankfully my Motive has been good to me over the years, but I always check everything regardless.

Assume nothing, verify everything. Only way to go about troubleshooting.

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