Need a clutch replacement done on my 1992 XJ ....
I spoke to a shop owner who is bout an hour away and has decades of experience in drivetrain / clutch systems.
Now please bear with me as he was giving me alot of info over the phone and it was hard to digest .

He told me that he found a 'flaw' years ago in the standard pressure plates being used for Jeep clutch replacements. If i can recall correctly it has to do with pedal travel /clutch engage /disengage/ pressure plate throw.
That certain pressure plate throw will not disengage the clutch due to too much travel. The distances of 3/8 , 5/16th were mentioned.
Because of this He picks the parts as opposed to just using a standard kit.

Can anyone elaborate more on this ?

I ctc'ed a 2nd 4x4 shop who is closer to me, they never mentioned anything about this to me.They would use a Luk clutch kit.

Both shops quote nearly the same price: $900.total.
Clutch, Press Plate,TO bearing, Slave cylinder resurface flywheel.

This info was a curve ball I've never heard of.
I usually always go with the experienced shop /mechanic
But that shop is over an hour away and if there are problems afterwards I wouldn't be able to get it back to them.Though he says he strives to 'do the job right the first time' etc etc

2nd shop contacted is only 20mins away, changed hands about 2 yrs ago and is a full 4x4 shop.

There was mention on another forum (NAXJA) that one should not resurface flywheel due to it not being a totally flat surface They were factory machined to be that way ..
A pdf of a service manual from a 2009 TJ was posted. Seems like this would not apply to older vehicles ?

 

Being its a 92 Id replace everthing inside. All parts can be had for around 300.00 local auto parts store. 600.00 steep for a round 4 hrs work . jm2cw...

 

This is helpful...http://www.automd.com/repaircost/

 

My question is not about how much parts cost or the labor to do it .

But about the information provided by the one shop owner of clearances and press plate throw vs clutch pedal travel discrepancies and why certain parts recommended as standard replacement cause problems.

 

Buy all new parts nothings being altered from stock. Gotta know wether its ba/10 or ax15 that's it. Ba/10s were most common if you have the ax15 that's better for ya.

 

Of course the replacement parts will be new....
Its a matter of proper set up with them .

 

Theres no set up required just identify proper transmission and replace flywheel its over 20 years old.

 

Update:
I had the local shop do the replacement Made sure they used the Luk complete kit w/ slave cylinder and also installed a new Flywheel.
Seems to be all good very smooth no more hard grab as before, pedal engages disengages just slightly lower.
I would think with a hydraulic system the pedal positions would remain the same for that ?