My buddy just bought a 1990 YJ with 75k miles on it, perfect paint, great engine, and pristine shape. If it weren't for the square headlights I'd think it was new. But every time he tries to shift into reverse it grinds at first. Here's my theory: the clutch slave cylinder needs to be blead or freeplay changed. I mean, it wouldn't grind if the engine weren't turning the tranny, and he does have the clutch all the way in. I have also thought that he is just trying to jam it into reverse too quick and told him to give the tranny a sec to stop spinning before he shifts, but I don't think he really understands what I mean by it. He's somewhat stupid in the ways of mechanics but willing to learn. (Not like I'm that smart. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> ) Anyway, I'm going to give it a whirl myself, but can ya'll think of anything else it could be? I really doubt that the tranny is bad just because it was babied by some old rich woman who drove it to the park once a weekend. Only she owned it previously. Thanks.

J. J.

True there is probably some clutch issues but try putting it in first before shifting to reverse. This stops the transmission from spinning and helps to keep the crunch sound when shifting to reverse.

Oh yeah, the tranny in that is probably getting ready to
<IMG SRC="smilies/puke.gif" border="0">

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: Rockslut. ]

Did they still use the Peugeot in 1990?

It's a total POS. If so, you're looking at a grand (easy) for a rebuild.

No Peugot in '90. If you have an I6 it is an AX-15, if it is a 4 cyl. then it is an AX-5. Neither of them have a sycronized reverse so it will grind everytime unless you put it in 1st or double clutch before you shift. Some times it will just want to grind. It is just something you have to deal with on a truck tranny.

My 95's loved to grind in reverse and occasionally going to second. Toss it in first, then reverse, but since this was already covered, I guess I'm being redundant... <IMG SRC="smilies/emb.gif" border="0">

My T18 grinds almost every gear <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by patooyee:
<STRONG>every time he tries to shift into reverse it grinds at first.</STRONG>

Relax... I have the technique for your friend on how to totally eliminate all grinding when shifting into Reverse.

But first, understand that it's perfectly normal (no kidding). Nothing is wrong, the clutch isn't out of adjustment and there's no need to double-clutch or anything like that. The reason for the grinding is that Reverse gear is not synchronized. It may not grind every time but it will do so most of the time unless you do the following... which I was taught back in '67 when I bought a new '66 VW which had the same Reverse gear grinding issue.

Before shifting into Reverse, have your friend get into the habit of first doing a momentary shift into any forward gear, then he can shift into Reverse grind-free. There's no need to let the clutch out, just shift into a forward gear like first gear and then move the gear shift right into Reverse. There's no need to pause in the forward gear before shifting into Reverse. Shifting this way synchronizes Reverse and it won't grind. This technique is useful for just about any manual transmission without a synchronized Reverse gear.

Cool! That's a great idea that I didn't think about. I'll tell him, ya'll. Thanks.

J. J.

PS: Do ya'll think that he tranny is really about to puke? I don't. Just feeling, but . . .

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: patooyee ]

every Jeep I have seen grinds when going straight into reverse.

As stated normal. Just go into 2nd then reverse. Works everytime.

Great to hear it is normal...I guess I won't be taking mine back then. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

But seriously, thanks for the forward gear tip. I had heard it before somewhere but totally spaced it.

it seems every manual tranny i've ever had does this - you just kinda pressure the shifter 'til it pops in - that always seemed to work for me.

of course, i also feel that if a tranny's gonna go, it's gonna go...course that's what got me on the 'con with a blown tranny...hmm, maybe i should rethink my philosophy...

Originally posted by Rockslut.:
<STRONG>True there is probably some clutch issues but try putting it in first before shifting to reverse. This stops the transmission from spinning and helps to keep the crunch sound when shifting to reverse.

Oh yeah, the tranny in that is probably getting ready to
<IMG SRC="smilies/puke.gif" border="0">

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: Rockslut. ]</STRONG>

yup this works

Cool! This is good info. I have the same problem with my '93 and thought it might be bad. Glad to know there is a workaround.
<IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Jerry Bransford:
<STRONG>Relax... I have the technique for your friend on how to totally eliminate all grinding when shifting into Reverse.

But first, understand that it's perfectly normal (no kidding). Nothing is wrong, the clutch isn't out of adjustment and there's no need to double-clutch or anything like that. The reason for the grinding is that Reverse gear is not synchronized. It may not grind every time but it will do so most of the time unless you do the following... which I was taught back in '67 when I bought a new '66 VW which had the same Reverse gear grinding issue.

Before shifting into Reverse, have your friend get into the habit of first doing a momentary shift into any forward gear, then he can shift into Reverse grind-free. There's no need to let the clutch out, just shift into a forward gear like first gear and then move the gear shift right into Reverse. There's no need to pause in the forward gear before shifting into Reverse. Shifting this way synchronizes Reverse and it won't grind. This technique is useful for just about any manual transmission without a synchronized Reverse gear.</STRONG>

Thats what I said at the top of the page <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Hey, ya'll, tried this and it didn't seem to work. Does he need to double clutch or anything? It's weird because he was parked with the car off and in neutral, pushed the clutch in, started it, kept the clutch in, and then tried and it still grinded. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there shouldn't be any motion in the tranny at this point, since the clutch was never applied to the flywheel, in theory. I'm starting to think that his clutch isn't disengaging all the way.

J. J.

Try bleeding the clutch. IF the fluid was low at all, air could have gotten in.

What happens when you start it up with the clutch depressed and the trans in 1st? Does it try to move?

To check the clutch, from a stop, put into high gear (5th) and let out on clutch..if it stalls than clutch still has life...if it slips (engine revs/jeep dont move) than clutch may be bad.. I would still try to bleed 1st..check clutch master and slave cylinder for any leaks..if leaks found, repair and bleed

That's what I was thinking. Thanks.

J. J.

We had this problem with 2 tj's so far.

We completley replaced the entire clutch assembly in my buddies tj and it still did the same thing. So we took my slave assembly off mine and put it on his. Same.
Put his on mine and mine started to do it too. Blead both several times and both are fine.

when you bleed it. only do one bleed and fill it back up with fluid. then do it one more time and fill. one more and fill. Dont think you can bleed it like brakes. you cant. ( It took us hours to find this out. )

One time. Fill. one time fill. We learned the hard way, Maybee you can learn from our trials and tribulations. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Sounds like a bitch if you didn't know. Thanks.

J. J.

Originally posted by 1BDYJ:
<STRONG>To check the clutch, from a stop, put into high gear (5th) and let out on clutch..if it stalls than clutch still has life...if it slips (engine revs/jeep dont move) than clutch may be bad.. I would still try to bleed 1st..check clutch master and slave cylinder for any leaks..if leaks found, repair and bleed</STRONG>

Speaking of funny clutch noises (not that you were, I just wanted a segue) mu 94 yj seems to make a funny squeak noise when I start out in 1st. It doesnt happen all the time, but it has happened since I have owned it. WHen I was test driving jeeps, a couple other yj's did the same thing. It is just a jeep thing? Or is there something that I should check out on it.

The clutch feels as strong as the day I bought it, so I dont think its going out. Just one of those weird things I would love to clear up. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Chris

had that happen too.

All I did was to hose out the trany area really good with water. And the noise is gone. I think its just clutch dust on the throughout bearing. Try that.