clutch cable stretched

new clutch isn't working?!

Hey everyone,

I finally got around to firing up my '57 CJ5 to take it for a spin only to find out that the new clutch that I just got done installing isn't working right.

It feels like maybe it's not engaging. I press the pedal to the floor and nothing happens. When I'm holding the pedal down and try to shift it into gear it grinds like the input shaft of the tranny is spinning.

I have the clutch cable adjusted all the way back to that it will engauge but it doesn't seem to be doing anything.

Any ideas? I'd really like to be able to fix this without having to pull the motor again... hopefully that's possible.

Thanks,
Evan

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

That's pretty hard to diagnose online, but if the friction disc is in backwards it won't work. Been a lot of discussions on this lately, seems like.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

I'm pretty sure it's in correctly. It almost seems like the adjustment cable has stretched or something. Would this cause this?

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

My friend and I installed the clutch (PP and throwout bearing), and nothing worked... it wouldn't shift.

Took it back out again, and after much thinking realized it was NOT the right clutch. it all bolted up, just didn't work.

What a PITA!

Went back to the parts store and found out that somehow the wrong clutch had ended up in the right box.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

Eeeh. I hope that's not my case! I ordered the friction plate, pressure plate, and pilot bushing from Krage's. Everything seemed to be fine, I can't imagine it being wrong.

I'm thinking I should replace the cable from the fork to the pivot. I think mine has stretched over the years and its not tight enough to fully engage the clutch when the peddle is pressed. Does this make sense?

Thanks again,
Evan

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

I don't know how much the cable could have stretched, or how much it could affect things, but replacing it couldn't hurt. Good preventative maintenance, at least. I'm afraid you still might have to open things up again though, but I'll cross my fingers for ya!

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

I got the 8" one that was for my year CJ. Everything bolted up fine to the flywheel.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

If you pull the coil wire and turn it over in gear does the Jeep try to move? If so, ctutch is engaged and you have a release problem. How much free travel in pedal? Can you move the clutch fork at all by hand? Pull the insp cover off the bellhousing and take a peek in there before you pull it all apart. Be sure the fork is properly on the stud and t/o bearing. Pedal cross shaft properly seated on the frame nub? If the fork is on the stud and t/o bearing you should feel resistane as you move the pedal. More input needed here I guess.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

I agree with SIDSCJ I think you have a release problem. If you know you put the clutch plate in correctly ( the correct side towards flywheel ). Do like he said and take the inspection plate off and have a buddy push the pedal while you observe the fork action. I have had them fall off the ball during installation and even get on the wrong side of the throwout bearing. The cable will not stretch enough to cause a problem that simple adj will not correct. Good Luck

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

I don't remember the exact symptom; but I remember that I just could not seem to get a clutch adjusted right one time.

Disc in backwards.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

So it's grinding gears when you're driving and trying to shift? As though the clutch isn't releasing fully.

Isn't that a symptom of the pilot bearing being too tight on the trans input shaft? Or the shaft being bent? I don't have much experience with this but I've read it here before.

Linkage - it's not that hard to check out the linkage but it really works better with two people, someone to push the pedal and someone looking to see what's happening.

Let us know what you find out.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

:iagree: I went through this not long ago. Yes it can be put in backwards and it seem correct, trust me. I took it all apart spun it around it worked. You'd think they would label the disk so it would be easy to put in correctly :evil: .

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

Well, at any rate I think the handwriting is on the fire-wall.


Sounds like rework to me.

good luck

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

according to the site for installing the clutch in a race car you need to place the face with the rivet heads toward the engine.

Don't suppose you can see in that far through the inspection plate area to tell.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

From your description I believe your clutch is not disengaging, that is why it grinds when you try to shift gears. If the clutch is not engaging you would not move. I recently replaced the clutch on my L4 134, same clutch. I got mine from Walacks and found no mearkings marking the flywheel side. There are two sides to the disk. One side is flat across the surface, the other sides center section ,where the springs are, stands proud of the friction material 1/2 to 3/8 of an inch. This section MUST be tword the pressure plate. If installed backward the center section will press against the flywheel. This would not allow the clutch to disengage when applying the pedal no mater how adjusted.
In my case I can see the pressure plate and disc from the top inspection plate but the body is still off the chassis.
Sorry but it sounds to me it is backwards and the only fix is to pull the tranny.

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

turn the clutch cross shaft around one ear is longer than the other

 

Re: new clutch isn't working?!

This from the eCLUTCHMASTER.com site:

7. Face clutch disk with "flywheel side" lael against flywheel. If no Label is present, make sure that the clutch dampener spring are facing the transmission.

I seem to remember reading that in Petersen's Clutch and Transmissions book, also.

 

I believe my clutch cable has stretched on my '57 CJ5 with the F-134. When I go to put the jeep in gear with the clutch in it feels like the tranny is spinning, it's almost as if the cable isn't tight enough to completely pull the friction disc away from the flywheel. Does this make sense to anyone? Or is my thinking way off?

Thanks in advance,
Evan