Any big 'pitfalls' in clutch replacement?

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I picked up my '66 CJ-5, and I have been fussing with the clutch. Got a new cable installed and pushed in the clutch petal and the crimped on end came flying off the cable -- spronggggg--WHAP! Went flying across the shop and disappeared in the mess. So, I decided to take the tranny out and check the clutch before contacting the folks about a replacement cable. So last night I got the jeep up on the jackstands and managed to take the rear driveshaft off, and the front half of the front driveshaft loose too. The rear of the front drive has to be disconnected after the bash plate and cross member is removed. Didn't get quite that far.

So, what am I forgetting? I expect to work on the project a couple mornings this weekend while it's cool, and quit when the heat and humidity in the shop gets too warm to be able to see well because of the water running off my face and into my eyes. Hey! It's the first warm week we've had this summer, so I'm not going to complain.

Thanks in advance.

Tom in Frankenmuth

 

Hi Tom.

V6 or F4?

If the crimped end came off, then it's possible that the fork wasn't aligned properly. If you have all the guts out, give the fork a very close inspection. If it's warped or bent, it'll need replaced.

Could also be a defective cable, but less likely. You'll know if that happens again. Been there, done that.

 

Oh, yeah...

...225V6.

The thing that got me looking at the clutch is that the action of the pedal is very stiff at the top, and then the action gets better. I'd be really happy if it was just the fork and I didn't need to spend $169.00 plus shipping on a new clutch assembly. I'll still have to get a new cable I guess, or maybe I could fab up a new end for the cable and braze it in place like we used to do with the cables on the motorcycles.

Got my new 5000lb winch yesterday UPS and got it assembled. $235.00 delivered from a seller on eBay, seems like a good deal if it works the way it should.

Thanks for info!

Tom