Wont shift in to reverse

[JanMast]

I have discovered a new issue with the 85 CJ7 .

It wont shift into reverse while the jeep is running. If i try it just grinds the hell out of the gears. So i had to switch the engine off, then shift into reverse, then turn the engine back on. I looked through the troubleshooting section of the haynes manual and didnt see anything. The only thing i can think of is clutch linkage adjustment maybe. ANy other ideas? Its fine in all the other gears. Thanks.

 

[Hedgehog]

You have a clutch problem my friend. Reverse isn't synchronized so if the gears are turning it isn't going into gear.

 

[Shifter]

Check your clutch adjustment. If that is good, time for a new clutch.

 

[Torxhead]

Whenever I have had issues going into reverse, I try double clutching. Which is going from one gear, into neutral, releasing the clutch, engaging the clutch, then trying to get the stupid thing into reverse.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You want a 1-1 1/4" pedal free play.
If you have the correct free play and still have the issue.
Time to R&R the clutch.
How many miles/years on this clutch?
LG

 

[billyballer]

What Transmission do you have? I'm guessing T-5 .
I've had this issue in the past with my '86 w/T-5 and it could be a couple of things. First off inspect your clutch linkage. The stock linkage is poor design that uses plastic bushings which wear out, and then the metal rod ovals out the metal whole so that your linkage doesn't engage fully. There are cheap replacements available that use heim joints which won't wear out and make the clutch pedal much easier to engage. Highly recommend this mod:
Rod Links CMP7560 - Rod Links Clutch Linkage for 76-86 Jeep® CJ - Quadratec

The input bearing retainer on the T-5 (which the throwout bearing moves on) is made of aluminum on the Jeep Transmission and will get pitted and wear down which can cause engagement problems. If you are changing the clutch, inspect the front bearing retainer and if it is worn or pitted replace it. I think there are steel retainers available.

Lastly the T-5 has a 5th/revers pivot bolt. It is on the driver's side of the Transmission and can slowly back out of the tranny causing revers/5th gear engagement issues. I've had it back all the way out and I lost both gears but if I recall revers went first. You can see the bolt from underneath. My '86 had a tamper-proof torx head on it, so I had to buy a special tool, but others are normal hex head. Either way I now make it part of my routine inspection.
This picture shows the pivot pin location.


Hope this helps

 

[JanMast]

I will have to check and adjust the clutch free play. I will look into that upgrade kit. I am pretty new to being a Jeep owner, i wont how much of a pain in the *** it would be to try and change out that linkage myself.

I am unsure which Transmission my CJ7 has, it is a 4 speed manual tranny. Ill probably search for some type of gaouge that can help me figure it out.

Billyballer, i appreciate the comprehensive feedback. I will have to do some serious digging into this jeep to figure out what type of tranny i have and see if i can follow this info you provided. Thanks!

 

[Torxhead]

So probably a T-4 or T-176 then, start with the clutch adjustment and guessing from where you live, check all gearboxes for water. They should all have breather hoses coming from them to protect from water entry.

 

[JanMast]

So i had to go on a small deployment. I come back and decide to take the Jeep for a spin to make sure she is still running.

Im headed home and i hear something break loose down below. Yep, the clutch travels all the way to the floor with no resistance. So i push her the 1/4 mile home and climb under there to see what happened. I figured the linkage had broken or aomething along that line. Well i see the outer support bracket dangling, and the retaining nut is missing. So i find a 1/2" nut, put it on there and tighten it down, and check the free play. Everything looks good.

So i fire her up to take for a test spin and guess what? She now shifts into reverse like a dream. Good think i didnt tear down the clutch yet, like i was itching to.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

YUP-A set of old Mk1, eyeballs, can't be beat.
LG

 

[Trujeepr]

I have a 86 CJ7 that did the same, but i did adjust the linkage and it now shifts like new again.

 

[sman26]

Hello Bill,
I have a 1986 CJ7 that appears to be having the same issue where I can't seem to always get it in Reverse while the vehicle is running. I get a grinding noise. Other times it will go in. Sometimes it will grind a bit then slow down the grinding noise and actually allow me to engage and place in reverse. I'm hoping it is as simple as tightening the Pivot bolt or Pivot Pin(i'm assuming they are the same) as showing in your wonderful image.
I popped under the jeep last night and noticed I too seem to have a tamper-proof torx head on mine. (picture below) Do you by chance remember the size of this so I can order one up?
I looked at it visible and tried to tighten with my hand and it didn't seem to move. Not sure if that is any kind of indication if it is actually loose or not.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Shawn

What Transmission do you have? I'm guessing T-5 .
I've had this issue in the past with my '86 w/T-5 and it could be a couple of things. First off inspect your clutch linkage. The stock linkage is poor design that uses plastic bushings which wear out, and then the metal rod ovals out the metal whole so that your linkage doesn't engage fully. There are cheap replacements available that use heim joints which won't wear out and make the clutch pedal much easier to engage. Highly recommend this mod:
Rod Links CMP7560 - Rod Links Clutch Linkage for 76-86 Jeep® CJ - Quadratec

The input bearing retainer on the T-5 (which the throwout bearing moves on) is made of aluminum on the Jeep Transmission and will get pitted and wear down which can cause engagement problems. If you are changing the clutch, inspect the front bearing retainer and if it is worn or pitted replace it. I think there are steel retainers available.

Lastly the T-5 has a 5th/revers pivot bolt. It is on the driver's side of the Transmission and can slowly back out of the tranny causing revers/5th gear engagement issues. I've had it back all the way out and I lost both gears but if I recall revers went first. You can see the bolt from underneath. My '86 had a tamper-proof torx head on it, so I had to buy a special tool, but others are normal hex head. Either way I now make it part of my routine inspection.
This picture shows the pivot pin location.


Hope this helps

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Bump it into 1st gear, and then go to 'R'.
How much free travel do you have in the pedal?
What tranny do you have?
PLZ, fill out your vehicle info...........
LG

 

[sman26]

Lumpy Grits,
Sorry, I'm not sure of the exact model of the tranny but it is a 1986 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l CJ5 speed. Up 1, down 2, up 3, down 4, up 5, down reverse.
Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by "travel in the pedal". When I'm stopped in my garage and I put push down on the clutch and put it in first gear my clutch pedal touches the floor of the jeep, then my pedal is still down when I go into reverse.
Is that what you mean. You might have to spell it out for me. Sorry.
Shawn

 

[JeffP]

I have discovered a new issue with the 85 CJ7 .

It wont shift into reverse while the jeep is running. If i try it just grinds the hell out of the gears. So i had to switch the engine off, then shift into reverse, then turn the engine back on. I looked through the troubleshooting section of the haynes manual and didnt see anything. The only thing i can think of is clutch linkage adjustment maybe. ANy other ideas? Its fine in all the other gears. Thanks.

I just had the same issue. At 200 miles on a complete rebuild reverse wanted to grind unless I waited a week or so for it to stop spinning before I could shift.
“Someone”, lol, forgot to tighten the lock nut on the clutch rod. I’ll blame my son! That’s my story & I’m stickin’ to it.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Lumpy Grits,
Sorry, I'm not sure of the exact model of the tranny but it is a 1986 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l CJ5 speed. Up 1, down 2, up 3, down 4, up 5, down reverse.
Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by "travel in the pedal". When I'm stopped in my garage and I put push down on the clutch and put it in first gear my clutch pedal touches the floor of the jeep, then my pedal is still down when I go into reverse.
Is that what you mean. You might have to spell it out for me. Sorry.
Shawn

You have a T-5 tranny. The same as I have.......
Free play is the easy pedal travel till you feel any resistance at all.
You want no more than 1 1/4" and no less than 1" if you are running mechanical linkage.
LG