Clutch issues...

[KJ zGal]

Okay, so every winter the clutch on my KJ gets stiff...that's a given, considering the cold weather, right? Well this week it's been in the low 40s all week, and the clutch seems to be getting stiff again--the only difference this time is that it is at completely random times. Usually it is stiff when I first start out and then works up to normal-ness (forgive me, I can't think of the right word for that right now =P) as the engine heats up and it is depressed a few times. For the past three days, however, it has been more noticeably stiff when going from 1st gear to second, and when downshifting from 5th to 4th, but this is not always consistent. Even after 45 minutes of stop-and-go driving it will be normal at one shift and stiff at the next. Also, I went around a corner today and could not shift into third, I had to stay in second. It's like there's a screw up with the blocks or something.

I'm hoping it's just something simple like needing to be adjusted, but could this be a sign of something I'm not thinking of? Any ideas?

 

[Powerslave]

Hydraulic clutch?

 

[JeepJeepster]

The clutch shouldnt care what gear youre going from or too so the gear youre in shouldnt have an effect on anything. The clutch is separate of the ******.

 

[LibertyTC]

Probably time for a clutch rebuild. I do not believe there are any adjustments available.
How many miles on your KJ?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Time for a new clutch cable!

 

[kj924]

What does the KJ have for a clutch? Hydraulic or cable?

If it has a hydro clutch, then check the fluid and look for leaks....it may be the slave cylinder is leaking or by passing and not pushing the clutch fork enough to make a smooth shift. Is the clutch slipping in any way?

Try double clutching when shifting to see if that makes a difference. Maybe the throwout bearing is sticking on the input shaft.

 

[KJ zGal]

So an update: This morning I was unable to move the Jeep into any gear at all, and so it is now sitting at the end of the driveway waiting to be towed to the shop. I managed to get it into reverse after a few minutes to get it out of the garage, and then coasted down the driveway thinking I might be able to get it in second, but it didn't work. I'm not sure about whether it's cable or hydraulic, but it seems like if it was getting stiff when cold there would be some kind of fluid in there somewhere...but anyway, we'll see. Probably will have it back on Monday.

 

[ridenby]

(Alcy)

 

[tjkj2002]

The KJ uses a hydraulic setup for the clutch,no adjustments either.Time for new clutch and/or clutch master cylinder/slave cylinder time and neither will be cheap.

 

[Powerslave]

Yes, if now it does not go into any gear, the Clutch is gone, or pressure plate is bad, or the hydraulics have failed. When you have that serviced and it is a clutch, you should do everything in there; Clutch, pressure plate, and bearing. AS mentioned it will not be cheap, especially at a dealer.

 

[Warren.fischbeck]

Ya know, when it rains it pours. After taking my blown drive shaft out I started up my Jeep to move it out of the street and back into the drive way and low and behold a wonderful screeching sound of the throw-out bearing dieing as the clutch is worked. I’ve got all the parts I need on order and now the Liberty is up on jack stands with the drive shafts out of it, the transfer case on the cold concrete and the ****** slid back so I can swap parts out. The seven year mark seems to be the magic number for my KJ. After I’m done it’s going to run like new…

 

[ridenby]

Rockauto.com-clutch kit-190 to $278-depending on brand,master cyl,tubes,slave cyl,125.00.

 

[KJ zGal]

Well I did manage to get it into reverse to get it back up the driveway before AAA came to get it, and it would go into 2nd, 5th, and 4th gears, but 3rd and 1st seem to be the issues. Then when I started it up after turning it off, it wouldn't go into any of them again. Either way, I found some clutch kits for under $200 but I know nothing about if they'll fit, etc., or if it is something I would be able to take care of myself. http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByDepartment/Clutch/JEEP/LIBERTY

Normally (since I've gotten it, in other words) when I let the clutch out and leave it idling in neutral there is a low buzzing/hissing sort of sound until I push it back in, and I noticed that was not there today when I let it idle in neutral.

 

[KJ zGal]

Guess I have to wait until Monday to hear the diagnosis, but now that I've done some research, I'm thinking something with the shift fork. Hopefully it's just something that is loose and can be retightened...if not, I may need to look for a salvage vehicle and haul the thing to my uncle's shop to swap out the ******, depending on the severity of the bend or break. Seems like it'd be better to do that than repair and risk it breaking again when I could get a ****** for cheaper that has less miles on it. Worst case scenario, of course--let's hope that's not it!

 

[kj924]

Sticks are pretty reliable all in all...I think you will find when it comes apart that the throw out bearing is sticking on the ****** shaft, it's worn out also, and the clutch disk may even be worn out too.