Just bought a CJ and have some questions.

Last Friday I picked up a 71 v6 (My first CJ) and had a few questions about it. First off, when I reverse and do not have the clutch all the way out the Jeep will jump somewhat roughly unless I just barely release the clutch. Also, sometimes when I take off I hear a pop from what seems to be coming from the rear axle on the drivers side. Kind of like I am getting some binding somewhere. Every now and then I will have a hard time shifting into reverse and the tranny will grind but shifting into first, then into reverse clears that up. Not a big deal but thought that might have some play in the other drivetrain issues. Other than that and getting some leaking from the front brakes I am really happy with it, it has great power, rides well, and completely surprised me when I took it on the trail compared to my YJ.

 

1st welcome from mid TN, fill out your profile so we will know about where you are, one of may be near.
On the poping noise it could be a few things. Are you launching it hard drag race style or just normal?
On mine it was a loose ubolt that was poping. On my YJ its the locker that pops/clunks.

 

Just a normal, slow take off. Once I get going then stop the next take off is problem free.

 

I'd have some one roll it back and forth in the drive way while I watched
/listened for the noise.
Some times you can jack it up and just push and pull on everything and find it.

 

I have a 76 CJ-5 and experience the same thing (not the poping sound). It seems that I have to let the clutch out VERY slowly or the Jeep will start to shake pretty good. Haven't been able to figure out what the problem is...

lj

 

Similar problem here, but only after i lost my brakes comming down a hill and had a few hard ups and downs. it shifted the body about a quarter inch towards the passenger side. now the clutch sometimes grabs and rumbles...if you find out what that is i would be interested to know as well

Tommy

 

Actually, my problem is starting off in 1st gear - not in reverse. Once I get going, I don't get any shimmy or shaking, it's just when starting from a dead stop.

lj

 

sounds like the clutch is loose. take in 1/2 turn on the cable and see if that helps.

 

Cable? What's a cable? The clutch pedal linkage on this guy is a series of metal rods...



I'll try turning the adjusting nut - Thanks...

lj

 

Thanks Lynn - it's good to be back! Between work and raising two young kids; something had to be put on hold!

Someone else mentioned broken motor mounts, but those look okay. I want to start simple and work my may up! What's the "tree" approach?

lj

 

Okay, I'll pass on the "tree" approach and let you know what happens after I fidle with some of the other suggestions...

I was going to make a joke about my wife telling me that either the Jeeps go or she goes and that I still have my Jeeps, but then I saw Scott Milliner's post and that sucks.

My older daughter just started 1'st grade this year and she loves it, my younger is 2.5 and has been proving the phrase "terrible two's" is not an old wives tale...My wife keeps debating whether or not she wants to keep working or be a stay at home mom, but it's tough in the S.F. Bay Area to not be a dual income family.

The Jeep has been sitting in the garage and I'm just now starting to try and get it going again...which is where my suggestions to "bweis" came from because that's what I just had to do this past weekend - but she fired up after a bit of persusion!

lj