Clutch problem

[harborman]

I have a 1979 CJ5 . I replaced the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. The old clutch was a 3 finger, the new one is multi finger. When I now put the clutch in, it will disengage, however I can feel the peddle hitting something. Did they sell me the wrong throw out bearing? Is the fork possibly bent?

 

[Torxhead]

Sounds like you are going to need another set of eyes under the Jeep watching the linkage actuate to pinpoint where the binding is.

 

[harborman]

Sounds like you are going to need another set of eyes under the Jeep watching the linkage actuate to pinpoint where the binding is.

It makes a clicking noise like the fork is hitting the pressure plate as I put the clutch in as the engine is turning. When I let up the noise goes away. The clutch will disengage but something is hitting with the peddle pressed in. I have the inline 6, three speed Transmission .

I noticed they sell new forks, I wonder if mine is bent. Is this a normal replacement item? Maybe wrong throw out bearing??

 

[tarry99]

I have a 1979 CJ5 . I replaced the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. The old clutch was a 3 finger, the new one is multi finger. When I now put the clutch in, it will disengage, however I can feel the peddle hitting something. Did they sell me the wrong throw out bearing? Is the fork possibly bent?

As Torx said need another set of eyes.............You say a multi finger I assume you mean a diaphragm pressure plate did you compare the overall length / depth and OD of the bearing face between the Old & New throw out bearings?
Was the install correct as far as the placement of the throw out bearing and where it engages the old clutch fork? You may have to pull it and compare all the old versus the new parts........

 

[harborman]

As Torx said need another set of eyes.............You say a multi finger I assume you mean a diaphragm pressure plate did you compare the overall length / depth and OD of the bearing face between the Old & New throw out bearings?
Was the install correct as far as the placement of the throw out bearing and where it engages the old clutch fork? You may have to pull it and compare all the old versus the new parts........

I guess I will have to have someone push the peddle while I look at it.
I did this job over a year ago and have not driven the Jeep since. I got the clutch kit from NAPA. Guess I should have used the exact old type with 3 finger. Too bad the Bell housing does not have an inspection cover underneath!! Then one could see what is happening for sure!

 

[Torxhead]

If you can get someone underneath the vehicle to look and listen for the source of the noise, they should have a stethescope to listen for anything hidden behind the bell housing before you start taking things apart.

 

[IOPort51]

any chance you dropped the ball? the ball bearing that sets on the clutch arm pivot.

 

[harborman]

any chance you dropped the ball? the ball bearing that sets on the clutch arm pivot.

I did stick grease on the ball to hold it in place. I am leaning towards wrong throw out or maybe bent fork. Have you guys found the fork to get bent?? This old Jeep has about 140K miles on it. Maybe NAPA sold me the wrong clutch kit. Guess it comes apart again! It's a 79 and the old pressure plate was the 3 finger type and they sold me the multifinger one.

 

[Hedgehog]

I bet it's more like one of the fork pins that hold the throw out bearing slipped when the Transmission was installed. You greased the ball, did you reattach the spring holding the fork to the ball/pivot point?

Generally the 3 finger and diaphram clutch kits will interchange. You might get in trouble if you mix and match parts though, like using the diaphram throe out bearing on a 3 fingr clutch, but NAPA shouldn't have made a mistake like that.

 

[harborman]

I bet it's more like one of the fork pins that hold the throw out bearing slipped when the Transmission was installed. You greased the ball, did you reattach the spring holding the fork to the ball/pivot point?

Generally the 3 finger and diaphram clutch kits will interchange. You might get in trouble if you mix and match parts though, like using the diaphram throe out bearing on a 3 fingr clutch, but NAPA shouldn't have made a mistake like that.

Thanks for all the input. I will only determine the problem when I remove the Transmission it seems. Can't tell now as I can't see inside the bell housing. Unless I buy one of those fiber cams I can stick in there through the fork opening.

 

[Hedgehog]

Unfortunately you are most likely correct ..... but it could be something outside the bell housing that simply got in the way. For instance there could be something your hitting under the dash or the mechanism under the hood could have gotten in the way. This is where another set of eyes comes in handi. They sit in your jeep while you lay inder the Jeep getting dirty. They work the clutch while you trace every thing that moves. I've seen this sort of thing when a bolt fell down in a space you dont immediately see. Be aware, a foot on the clutch has the power to crush a finger that's in the wrong place. Before tearing your functioning clutch out, eliminate all possible obstructions on the outside.

Last week right here on this forum a fellow was having clutch problems, it turned out to be a loose clutch bracket. A 5 minute fix.

Also, is your bell crank in the right position? It's easy to put the crank in backwards. Several goodies can become a problem in that case. THe grease fitting can hit the brackets. There is an angle in the bellcrank lever that can and will hit solid metal if it's in backwards. Are your pivot balls warn, is the ball cup warn? These are 15 minute fixes.