I have an 04 Sahara with the 4.0L and the NV3500 5 speed Trans. On the way to the store yesterday I started feeling a vibration in the clutch pedal When depressing it to shift. So I turned off the Radio to listen. With the clutch pushed in the there was a funny clanging rattling noise. A little further down the Road the Trans did not want to shift into Gear well. On the way home form the store the jeep continued the same symptoms. I crossed the last stop sign on the way to my house and the clanging got worse and you could smell something burning. I pulled over and crawled under the jeep and there was smoke coming out of the bottom of the bell housing where the trans connected to the bell housing. I managed to get the jeep Stated again. I waited till no traffic was coming and then eased the trans into second Gear very carefully. I got it into gear with out Grinding and limped it the 5 miles to the house. This was my last choice I call 6 Towing companies and got no one I was angry.

Now I need to figure out wither it is the clutch or the clutch slave cylinder so I can get parts and fix it.
Let me know your thoughts
Thanks
James

More than likey its the clutch plate. The slave is on the outside of the trans.

Depending on how old your clutch is I would buy a clutch kit and replace everything. usually when one part goes bad the rest will follow. It sounds like the same problem I had so I went to autozone and bought the clutch kit and was done. Just check the pressure plate also when doing it. Hopefully you can do it yourself and save alot of money. I also don't think its your slave cylinder. Sounds to be the throw out bearing or the clutch. Just my .02

Yeah replace clutch plate and pressure plate together. More than likey not throw out bearing. It makes a nasty squeeling noise when it starts to go out. But replace it while your in there. Also replace the pilot bushing and the rear main on the engine if its leaking. AAuto Zone has the repair manual online and its will walk you though. If you need the FSM I got a copy that I can email you.

Thanks for the Replies I ordered a clutch Kit and Put up the harbor Freight portable garage. Got it up and the jeep Inside just as the snow Started coming down. I got like 2 inches here now.

Merace19 PM sent.

The jeep has about 85,000 of stop and go driving. I wheeled for 3 years before I got the XJ to build.