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

[SadRobot]

I was unhappy with the shift quality, so I decided to be an early adopter of McLeod. Unfortunately had a failure of the internal throwout bearing, which to their credit McLeod went back and found a fault and quickly sent me a replacement. At that point I was like 3 weeks of continual bleeding and then massive failure so I lost faith to try replacement.

Contacted ACT and they told me about the updated pressure plate, so I got a new pressure plate, clutch disc and bearing. Interestingly, my first ACT never made the groaning noise but the updated one does. But the noise is the least of my worries.

Didn't notice anything unusual about input shaft, used the supplied grease both times and it seemed to slide easily. I will check it more closely next time.

I think there was a certain batch that had the groan. I didn't think mine was one since it never happened but then it started up just as I was getting into week 3 of bleeding.

There's been a few posts about sanding the input shaft as a possible solve that's why I'm curious what yours looks like once you open it back up.

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[FrickinAdam]

Thank you all for having this Thread going. I had the clutch replaced under warranty at 13k miles. I have not had any issues in 2 years since that was complete. I dont want to do the 19A recall, so this will be most valuable for those who need a new clutch down the road. Sorry @SadRobot you are going through it.

 

[SadRobot]

Thank you all for having this Thread going. I had the clutch replaced under warranty at 13k miles. I have not had any issues in 2 years since that was complete. I dont want to do the 19A recall, so this will be most valuable for those who need a new clutch down the road. Sorry @SadRobot you are going through it.

I wish Jeep had made a better clutch in the first place. I know it's probably just a Hanlon's Razor situation but it sure feels like to me that they are doing this on purpose to phase out the manual transmission. Make a subpar product that people stop buying, then show that less people are buying the product so then you have no more need to make that product.

I'm still holding out hope that my problem is hydraulic issues. I'd rather have just failed in my attempts as oppose to the issue being that I did get all the air out and it's something else going on.

 

[FrickinAdam]

I wish Jeep had made a better clutch in the first place. I know it's probably just a Hanlon's Razor situation but it sure feels like to me that they are doing this on purpose to phase out the manual transmission. Make a subpar product that people stop buying, then show that less people are buying the product so then you have no more need to make that product.

I agree. all our vehicles are manuals and really want to keep them going...Minus the 99 XJ. That needs to go. But its crazy how the 78 F250 with a 4 speed is going to be more reliable with the clutch than a Vehicle 40 years newer.

 

[SadRobot]

I agree. all our vehicles are manuals and really want to keep them going...Minus the 99 XJ. That needs to go. But its crazy how the 78 F250 with a 4 speed is going to be more reliable with the clutch than a Vehicle 40 years newer.

It does feel like my high school car which was my dad's 1978 VW Beetle never had clutch problems. Of course the speedometer never worked and you had to guess how fast you were going based on how fast the wind was blowing your hair..... BUT it shifted great.

 

[ajLEEP21]

Sucks to hear what some of you guys are going through. Seems like just a matter of time before I join the club. I had my stock clutch replaced with the ACT kit at 45k miles. I now have 67k miles and have no issues (so far). I’ve even been lucky that I was reimbursed under the recall. I drive highway/street; mostly highway miles.

 

[LatteSipper]

Regarding the ACT “groan,” I just drove my Jeep after it sat parked for a week. Initial clutch use was silent and the transmission dropped right into first gear. Next shift, depressing the clutch was the slight groan/whine I hear on mine (not bothersome to me) and it coincided with difficulty shifting into 1st. This was repeatable my entire drive, I’d not really paid attention to that before.

 

[mudpup]

They said the whole system is around 10lbs heavier than stock.

I think the stock JK flywheel weighs 31.4 lbs before Stellantis screwed everything up with the D-M for the JL.

 

[SadRobot]

Regarding the ACT “groan,” I just drove my Jeep after it sat parked for a week. Initial clutch use was silent and the transmission dropped right into first gear. Next shift, depressing the clutch was the slight groan/whine I hear on mine (not bothersome to me) and it coincided with difficulty shifting into 1st. This was repeatable my entire drive, I’d not really paid attention to that before.

Mine just felt random. I had that croaking pedal when I would first start up my Jeep but then it would go away sometimes. And I didn't pay attention to the groan because I had read it wasn't going to affect anything and was more worried about the shifting. My shifting was also random. Even when it got worse sometimes it would go in smooth like 1 time every once in a while.

Then every time it wouldn't go into 1st I'd just yell out:

 

[cthomas31]

Yep it’s the clutch. Stick with OEM

 

[SadRobot]

Yep it’s the clutch. Stick with OEM

Can you elaborate on why you say that? Have you had a similar experience?

 

[ski-line900]

I don't think so since they have an auto lol.

 

[Jeremynolan94]

For those of you that have had issues with your ACT clutch, has it ever left you stranded?

I've been planning a trip to some pretty remote stretches of Death Valley, but my clutch has been creaking ever since it was installed which makes me a little trepidacious to get too far off the beaten path (see the thread on my issue here). Actual clutch engagement is fine, and I've had minimal issues getting into gear, so other than the sound and pedal feel it seems to be fine.

 

[RAD1]

I have a '24 Willys 6MT and it shifts butter smooth in all gears. I added the ACT compression spring which significantly improved clutch feel over the oem spring - best $10 mod to date.

https://www.advancedclutch.com/8710...gFXfHVbubqmcmAGm3FUT9iwlU1qrf1EHYvJOV1UjyV41E

Can you find a competent dealer to do the free clutch recall replacement, add this spring, and call it a day?

 

[SadRobot]

For those of you that have had issues with your ACT clutch, has it ever left you stranded?

I've been planning a trip to some pretty remote stretches of Death Valley, but my clutch has been creaking ever since it was installed which makes me a little trepidacious to get too far off the beaten path (see the thread on my issue here). Actual clutch engagement is fine, and I've had minimal issues getting into gear, so other than the sound and pedal feel it seems to be fine.

Does getting stranded in Bridgeport, Texas for 2 days count?

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