1986 Cherokee - Having issues shifting into gear
 

We just bought this manual transmission 1986 Cherokee, and it shifted fine when we drove it around. We drove it onto the freeway and on the surface streets with no issues. The next day, it started grinding and was difficult to shift when shifting into any gear. I assumed it was the clutch, so I took it into Pep Boys. I was able to drive it in second gear there, but they said it was the transmission, and they wouldn't work on it. Now, it won't shift into gear at all when it is running. It doesn't even grind, and the motor tries to die out when I try to force it into gear. It shifts fine when the motor is off. The clutch fluid reservoir is full.

It still seems like something with the clutch to me, but could it be something with the tranny? Where should I start? Any help would be appreciated.

with the motor off. can you put it in first with the clutch in then crank it up and drive it that way? if so look up problems with a worn flywheel and see if it sounds like your problem

agreed.


sounds like a failed master or slave to me. the bright side is that an '86 is an external slave, so you don't hvae to drop the trans to fix either of those.

where are you located?

the flywheel gets to thin so when you push the clutch in in dosnt disengauge all the way so it can go into gear.

and it could just as possibly be a master or slave clylinder too.

No, it won't start in gear, it definitely is in gear even with the clutch pedal depressed all the way.

Talked to a family friend today who is a tranny guy, and he said the only thing tranny-wise it could be was a frozen pilot bearing, but he seriously doubted that. He said master and/or slave cylinders or the clutch itself, in his opinion.

I guess I will bleed the system, then change out the cylinders if that doesn't work. If neither works, I will delve deeper, but maybe I'll just get lucky.

Located in NorCal...

Thanks for the advice.

SLAVE CYLINDER is bad, replace it. Mine did the same thing.

I've been dealing with other issues, and was just able to get to this today. I flushed and bled the system at the slave (put most of a bottle of Dot 3 brake fluid through it), and it works better, but not right... it is now like it was when I took it to Pep Boys originally. I assume that I should change the slave out next, but I just wanted some people to either concur or point me in a better direction if there is one. Due to issues with other cars, I have no money to spare chasing the issue. :(

Thanks to all! :lol: