No Clutch Movement

When I got my CJ the PO had fitted a new clutch, but it wouldn’t drive. When I push the clutch pedal the fork slips and won’t engage any gears. From what I can see the parts are all correct. The fork sits nicely on the pivot ball but there is very little room for movement. I adjusted the linkage so it was nice and snug, but as soon as you touch that pedal it’s like it’s falling out. Without effort I can move the fork so it’s almost touching the bell housing. Any help would be HUGELY appreciated!

 

Could be that it’s not in the release bearing right unfortunately you have to pull the trans and transfer to check.

 

I am guessing this is a stock V6 . looks like the deep bell housing on a 71
more information needed

 

Looks to me like that clutch fork is in backwards.?

 

Had the same probably a few weeks ago. The fork wold move some but would not engage the clutch. Pulled the engine and redid the clutch fork. I think the clutch fork was not sitting on the pivot ball correct. Take a hammer and tap the clutch fork in. If that does not work, hook something on the fork and try pulling it out some. Tap the fork in first.

 

That clutch fork should not be able to move that far back if everything is right and connected. I have to reverse my earlier statement. The fork is oriented in the right direction.

 

here's what I am thinking
the 71 came with a 3 finger borg & beck pressure plate
PO probity changed it out for a diaphragm type pressure plate
which is much shorter when bolted down to flywheel
now the throw out bearing is too short

if you could take a inspection mirror and look inside and see which diaphragm you have

 

Yes it was replaced with the diaphragm type! What are the options?

 

Yeah it’s a stock 1971 v6

 

Could well be. I have no idea what the PO was thinking. I’m pretty much having to pull everything apart section by section to set it right

 

As mentioned there is a diaphragm type,



and a Borg&Beck.



There are two bellhousings, the pre-71 GM-type bellhousing and the '71-only Jeep bellhousing. AFAIK the only difference is the GM-type uses a separate adapter plate and the Jeep type is one piece.

I would think that if you get a Luk or a Sachs kit that comes with the throwout bearing, you should be ok. It is possible that a '71 uses a different release arm, and then you'd need to match the arm too.

 

Shame really, it’s a brand new luk clutch already. Considering the rest of the Jeep, the PO probably read “throwout bearing” and threw it out.

Thanks for the advice!

 

T/O fork would be the same; bearing would be different.
But not in length, design only; square face vs rounded face.

 

Not sure if it would help but, they make different length pivot studs as well as adjustable types. This would see to move the clutch fork and TO bearing closer to the pressure plate. I believe they also make different length TO bearings.

 

I bought a 71 with a newly rebuilt V6 that had a similar problem with the clutch. I ended up pulling the motor instead of pulling the tranny to properly reinstall the clutch.
The problem for me turned out to be the pivot ball stud did not seem to work properly/smoothly with the clutch fork. I had a very difficult time trying to find a part that not only would work with the clutch fork but also would fit into the GM bellhousing. Long story-short, I finally found one from Summit that worked especially well because it's adjustable. It wasn't cheap, $40, but after all the frustration trying to find a pivot ball that worked, it was well worth the money!

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcl-16908

Hope this helps. Good luck!