Barbarella

My clutch has recently become intermittently hard to press to the floor. Yesterday after exiting the freeway, having just driving three hours, when i attempted to come to a stop, the gear would not disengage. I pushed the clutch in to the floor, had to stand on the brake and the gear shifter was stuck in third gear. Had to pull off the road and turn the car off. Felt like I was fighting the transmission. Any ideas as to what's going on? I just bought this jeep in January. Its a 1996 Cherokee Sport, two wheel drive, six cylinder and the previous owner said the clutch had been replaced. Thanks

kyledye25

Did they PO say it was replaced with a whole kit? If not your throw out bearing could be going bad. I always buy a whole clutch kit. And either buy a new fly wheel or have mine cut. That's just me. The throw out bearing will make it not engage or disengage the clutch. So it could stay in a gear like that.

Sent from my DROID INCREDIBLE using Cherokee Forum

Barbarella

It also doesn't like going into reverse most days. would that also be indicitive of the throw out bearing?

kyledye25

That part no. Maybe the clutch needs adjusted. I don't know if xjs are hydro or not. But if you have a clutch fluid reservoir under the hood then you can bleed the clutch. Will need two people. That might help you out. If not maybe ur synchros are going bad. Hope not tho.

Sent from my DROID INCREDIBLE using Cherokee Forum

Barbarella

thanks kyle, yes its hydro. no problems with it today. not sure how to troubleshoot the darn thing. that sure was scary yesterday.

Quezzy

One person Gravity bleed is way better than pumping and it removes more air over pumping.

Quezzy

Take the clutch resv cap off and fill to the top. Open the bleeder screw so it can dribble out. "DONT TOUCH THE CLUTCH PEDAL" Keep refilling it till you gone through a good amount of fluid. That way you know its all fresh fluid in the system. Once done, close the bleeder screw.

kyledye25

Ya I guess ur right. I have never owned a car that needed bled tho. I just know you should pump the peddle. But using gravity would make more sense.

Sent from my DROID INCREDIBLE using Cherokee Forum

kyledye25

If it happens on and off then makes me think of the throw out bearing. Maybe not tho. That's what I would check into first. But it would be a pain. They tend to that on and off when they start to go bad. I think its odd they told you the clutch was replaced. I here 5 speeds in the XJs are very strong and last forever. Maybe they beat it up a bit. Never know.

Sent from my DROID INCREDIBLE using Cherokee Forum

freegdr

when was the last time you checked the tran oil

kyledye25

Ya maybe a drain and fill with synchromesh with help. If its the synchros holding it in gear like that it will help.

Sent from my DROID INCREDIBLE using Cherokee Forum

Barbarella

Ok guys, i bought the jeep in January. All I've done to it is change the oil, plugs, fuel filter and air filter and distributor cap and rotor button. It's on my list to change the trans fluid and flush the cooling system. The jeep's previous use was primarily to pull a big *** fishing boat in and out of the water. Maybe why the clutch was replaced. The jeep has 176,000 miles, low for a 1996. I've recently moved to North Carolina, do not have a reliable mechanic and am fairly handy myself. Wanting to do as much work myself and avoid getting stranded. I do an immense amount of driving- average 400 a week. The clutch pedal just recently got occasionally stiff. The reverse stick has always been there since I've known the car, which has been about five years (bought it off a friend).