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Clutch Issues - HELP!!

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Clutch Issues - HELP!!
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BaseCJ86

Jeeper
Posts
26
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Location
Fraser, Michigan
Vehicle(s)
86 CJ7, 258, 4 speed
Ok guys I got another good one. So I have an issue with a timing change that may have skipped a tooth. While taking apart the front end, I went to take the bolt off the balancer and while attempting to turn the bolt, the crank turned. I know I am just a shade tree mechanic but I know that is not suppose to happen. The Transmission and Transfer Case is in gear. I went under and checked the linkage, I pulled the fork boot and there is a lot of slop, the fork can move up and down (I am sure the internal spring has come off the fork), but I can see the ball is in place. I had my son push the clutch pedal, the fork moves back and forth and I can see the bearing move. I had my son roll the crank and I can see the clutch housing turn, so nothing is broke. I drove the thing into my garage 2 years ago for a before I did a body swap. Can a clutch plate in not engaging, is it stuck open?? I have heard of clutch 's freezing to the clutch plate, but not open. Any insite will help. I want to get this baby back on the road this spring.
 
I'm not sure what your question is. Is it about the timing chain, or the clutch. I assume you are talking about the clutch. Try taking the clutch fork push rod off the fork. Try pushing on the fork with your finger. If the spring is still there, the fork will return. If the spring is missing, it won't. Be aware if the spring is missing, the ball will probably fall out unless grease is holding it in. Either way, you need to have the spring there.
I have never heard of a clutch failing to the point that there is no contact between the flywheel and the pressure plate. I guess that it is possible, but all the springs or fingers on the pressure plate would have to go bad, or be very rusted to the point that the last time you stepped on the clutch, the springs/fingers froze in place.
 
Yes, my question is about the clutch. To answer your question, no the fork does not return when I push it. So yes I am thinking the spring is gone since I can move the fork up and down. But that should not have anything to do with the clutch not engaging. Talk about frustrating.
 
How does the clutch pedal feel? Do you have 1" to 1 1/2" of free play, then resistance the rest of the way to the floor? Or does the pedal just push all the way to the floor with no resistance?
 
I know that you said that you checked the linkages, but since you have free play and resistance at the pedal, it would appear that things on that end are functioning properly unless the clutch disc is completely destroyed. Are you sure that the Transmission and transfer case are engaging? I had a standard single Transfer Case shifter years ago, and had no end of trouble diagnosing a drive line problem. It turned out that even though the shifter appeared to be in the correct position, it was in reality in neutral.


Just thinking. It might be possible that the spline on the Transmission where the friction disc slides may have rusted enough that when you stepped on the pedal, the disc hung up away from the flywheel. I have never heard of this happening, but I suppose that it's possible.
 
Double ck to be sure the tranny and t'case are in fact-in gear.
LG
 
BaseCJ86 said:
Ok guys I got another good one. So I have an issue with a timing change that may have skipped a tooth. While taking apart the front end, I went to take the bolt off the balancer and while attempting to turn the bolt, the crank turned. I know I am just a shade tree mechanic but I know that is not suppose to happen.
Click to expand...

So when you say the crank turned are you talking like a 1/2" or you could spin it all the way around?
 
As Yul Brenner said in The King and I, "Is a puzzlement!"
OK, Transmission in neutral, and you can push the Jeep with no problem. Right? Try putting the Transmission and Transfer Case in gear and then try to push the Jeep. Won't move. Correct? Now try having everything in gear and have someone push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. Will the Jeep move this way when pushed?
 
If you start the Jeep does it move forward with the clutch pressed, If it does it could be that the plate is not releasing.
 
OK, If I have it straight, with the Transmission and Transfer Case in gear, you are still able to turn the crankshaft with a wrench. And, the Jeep will roll in neutral, but not while in gear with the clutch depressed.
Without actually being there and seeing what's wrong, I can only come up with one scenario where everything fits.
Since you are able to rotate the crankshaft with everything in gear, the mechanical connection, ie, something inside the bell housing is not engaging. The thing that has me confused is that you can't move the Jeep while in gear by depressing the clutch. This would indicate that the clutch is staying engaged and engine compression is holding the vehicle. But since you are able to rotate the engine while in gear without causing the wheels to turn, there can't be a connection between the engine and the Transmission .
Here's the only thing that I can come up with. The pressure plate is no longer capable of clamping the friction disc to the flywheel. The pressure plate has completely failed, or the friction disc is stuck on the input shaft splines and not able to move into contact with the flywheel. This explains how you are able to turn the engine with everything else in gear. (it's not likely that all 6 pressure plate bolts fell out)

If this is the case though, you should be able to push the Jeep whether it's in or out of gear, which is not what you describe. It moves in neutral, but not in gear with the pedal depressed. (which makes no difference at this point since the clutch is obviously not engaging according to your description) The only thing that could be causing the Jeep to be immovable while in gear with the clutch disengaged (either by depressing the pedal or by clutch failure) would be if the input shaft bearing on the Transmission is bound up. This fits since the rest of the Transmission gears are free to move enabling you to get it into neutral.
Either way, I think removing the Transmission to actually see what's going on is definitely in your future.
 
Wow, thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I am going to have to take it somewhere to have that done. I am not really a Transmission guy. I am hoping that is all it is and that a new clutch assembly will to the trick. Ill keep you posted.
 
Sounds kinda like the clutch's friction plate has 'bonded' to the flywheel. :confused:
Push the clutch pedal in-Try starting the Jeep......
LG
 
Last edited:
BaseCJ86 said:
Wow, thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I am going to have to take it somewhere to have that done. I am not really a Transmission guy. I am hoping that is all it is and that a new clutch assembly will to the trick. Ill keep you posted.
Click to expand...
Sent you a PM
 
You say you think the timing chain jumped a tooth, would it still run?
 
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