Clutch and steering worries

[Max]

There are a few things that are worrying me. One is that the shifter isn't going into first every now and then, and doesn't move smoothly. I will clutch in, and try putting it into first, but it seems like something is blocking it? I will clutch out and in and and it will go into gear. This does not happen very often, but has been happening since Yankee Hill two weekends ago. It has popped out of gear on the trail before, but never on the street driving normally.

The second is the steering seems a bit off recently. It feels like it takes a little more effort to turn the wheel now. Is there anything I should look for?

Thanks

[Jim]

Steering: fluid level (is it low) and slipping belt (is it too loose or in poor condition / glazed) would be up on the list.

Trans: When it won't go into first, try any other gear to see if it's "hard" there too. If others are also hard, perhaps a clutch not releasing issue. Does the clutch pedal, when you depress it, feel any different? Do you feel any bumps if you hold it partially down or as you're pressing it down?

[Brody]

Hey Mac

Try this for the steering. Chance are that you are only low on fluid like Jim said, or that you have air in the line:

Power Steering Bleeding Instructions (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?4976-Power-Steering-Bleeding-Instructions:)

As for the shifting, it may also be the result of low or old fluid. This is where I would start. This is a quote from another site:

HARD SHIFTING
Hard shifting is usually caused by a low lubricant
level, improper, or contaminated lubricants. The consequence
of using non–recommended lubricants is
noise, excessive wear, internal bind, and hard shifting.
Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear,
shift rail, synchro, and bearing damage. If a leak
goes undetected for an extended period, the first indications
of component damage are usually hard shifting
and noise.
Component damage, incorrect clutch adjustment,
or a damaged clutch pressure plate or disc are additional
probable causes of increased shift effort. Incorrect
adjustment or a worn/damaged pressure plate or
disc can cause incorrect release. If the clutch problem
is advanced, gear clash during shifts can result.
Worn or damaged synchro rings can cause gear clash
when shifting into any forward gear. In some new or
rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to
stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most
cases, this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.
TRANSMISSION NOISE
Most manual transmissions make some noise during
normal operation. Rotating gears generate a mild
whine that is audible, but generally only at extreme
speeds.
Severe, highly audible transmission noise is generally
the initial indicator of a lubricant problem.
Insufficient, improper, or contaminated lubricant will
promote rapid wear of gears, synchros, shift rails,
forks and bearings. The overheating caused by a
lubricant problem, can also lead to gear and bearing
damage.

If all the other gears work fine, and there is no clashing or gears when you shift, again, it may be just in need of some fluid. After looking at the fluid and fluid level in the clutch reservoir, both the fluid and quantity is good.

This is dealing with tranny fluid and adding syncromesh additive:

Hard to shift into first gear - Jeep Wrangler Forum (http://www.wranglerforum.com/f8/hard-to-shift-into-first-gear-86555.html)

Here is a link discussing the popping out of low range first gear like what you described to me:

My jeep pops out of first gear - JeepForum.com (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/my-jeep-pops-out-first-gear-820803/)

It may also be linkage or linkage adjustment. I would try looking at all the other options before deciding that it is a clutch related issue.

Hope these help!

[Java]

The Jeep AX-15 is actually a toyota minitruck tranny. I had a similar one in my toyota pickup and there was a bushing at the base of the shifter that wore out and would cause bad shifts. It looks like a small doughnut. You can pull the shifter and see it, if that is it you can get a poly replacement for under $10.00. Hope that is it, or something as easy!!!

[Brody]

Thanks, Paul! I mentioned both the bushing and indent spring to Mac when we were installing his CB last week. If it is the same same tranny, there is a heavier duty indent spring that is a direct replacement for the stock one and prevents the shifter from popping out of first gear. Typical Yota manual tranny issue...I didn't realize that the trannys were the same or similar...Thanks!

[Max]

I checked the power steering fluid quickly as I got to work today, but wasn't able to give it a hard look. There were two fill lines, but I didn't have time to wipe it and check again. It seems like sometimes it's harder to turn left than right and vice-versa. What belt are you talking about Jim? The serpentine belt?

The transmission does the exact same thing in the reverse gear as long as I had it. It will not go into gear, but if I give it a tiny bit of gas, it will turn something down there and it will let me shift in after still applying gentle pressure to the shifter. How easy is it to replace that spring and/or bushing?

Thanks guys!

[Java]

I'm not a mechanic, but to me it sounds like you've got a possible worn syncro in your tranny (if it's not the bushing). The bushing is easy (if the Jeep setup is identical to the toyota, which I think it it), take offf your shift boot and unbolt the shifter, it's around the base of the shifter. That usually makes it sloppy when it wears, that could be a clue if you're experiencing it. here's a link to it:

AX15 shift tower bushing - JeepForum.com (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/ax15-shift-tower-bushing-522060/)

the steering sounds like a pump wearing out to me if it is sometimes one way or the other and low on power. that would seem like it's slow to pressurize, and if it's not leaking or low then I'd expect to replace it.

if you do, these guys have good prices: RockAuto Auto Parts (http://rockauto.com/)

and if you enter code P20 at advanceauto.com it's 20% off, free instore pickup.

[Jim]

What belt are you talking about Jim? The serpentine belt?

The belt that turns the power steering pump's pulley. If you have a serpentine setup, you likely have only one belt, so quite likely that belt. In that case, it's "probably" not slipping.

[ColoJeeper]

On the shifting problem....do you have a body lift? If so, is the hole for the shifter large enough or are you pushing on the edges when you shift? Are your transmission mounts solid or have they shifted a little bit on you?

[Robert B]

what worries me on ur shifting is that you said it pops out of gear....it shouldnt do that..........like ever......... on the first snd reverse gears also it has trouble you say.......is it synchroed first and reverse??????? also if it "sticks" can you let the clutch up (out) and about a eigth inch to half it will then pop right into gear.?????? cause every truck i have driven has NON-synchroed first and reverse so the give it a little gas or "float" the clutch as that trick is called it works flawlessly every time ......................

and from what i know it popping out of gear is either the shifter is hit by something hand floor pan etc or the blocking ring is bad / going bad ........if it is synchroed could be a worn synchro .......does it ever grind or just stick ??

[Robert B]

but if I give it a tiny bit of gas, it will turn something down there and it will let me shift in after still applying gentle pressure to the shifter.


this is a normal thing for me to do in my unsynchroed trannies so for my type i think its normal

[Max]

I'm actually not sure if it has a body lift. I'll check tomorrow. I think the steering has something to do with the alignment... Sometimes it's smooth, and other times it seems like it's harder to turn the wheel in one direction rather than another. I wish someone was around that I could explain this to. It's hard to write out all the details here.

It only has popped out of gear going up a bumpy, steep, uphill four wheeling trail.

[Geno]

Hello,
Well here is my 2 cents worth for you to use as you see fit. I am now a Jeep owner also, and have been working on 4wd for 30 years. we have 5 at the house right now. 1st the clutch, if you are having engagement problems in 1st and reverse, they are on seperate shift rails, so , that tells me clutch release issue maybe. You said these issues started after a run to wheeler lake, correct? steering and clutch items got worse? yes ? first I would, look under and make sure everything to do with the clutch that you can see and check is in correct order, if you do have a hydrulic clutch ( I think you do) check the lines, and fluid and make sure 1 did not get dented or bent at a weird angle( fluid must flow fully for the clutch to engage /disengage) there is also a spring clip on the non-clutch cylinder side that must be inplace for the clutch rod assy. to fully travel during the clutch travel process.Maybe you did just take the last life out of your clutch, I am puttin in my new clutch in my jeep this weekend. 2nd steering, to Quote "Mr. Pete Brody" , go through and retighten and check all steering box bolts , u bolts , spring hanger bolts (95 has front leafs - right) ect... I just did a rear axle swap in my neighbors 91 wrangler last week end and found many loose items in the rear axle area upon dis-assembly. A loose steering box will bind in one direction and not the other , what you stated was happening ( 1 way pushes and the other pulls) then safely jack up the front wheels and give them the pull in/out, left/ right and see if any thing moves that should not. You could have tweeked a ball joint or tierod end joint, bent "in" a tie rod and have a toe-in condition, many different items affect steering , look for the big obivious items first ,then work your way down to the more hard to find items.:2c::2c: OK maybe that was 4 cents worth ,but hey it was free and I help where I can. Post what you find and I will help more if I can

[Brody]

Thanks, Gene!

what worries me on ur shifting is that you said it pops out of gear....it shouldnt do that..........like ever.........

You obviously have never owned a manual Yota 4x4 that you wheeled, Robert! This has been the bane of Yota 4x4s since they were first introduced and there are mnay fixes for them. Just about every manual Yota 4x4 pops out of gear in 4WD low range 1st gear...good engineering on Yota's part, especially since they, like almost every other vehicle manufacturer, are aware of an existing problem and continue to produce thousands of vehicles year after year without ever fixing the known problem.....Kind of like the Dodge weak front end/steering box stuff...Everyone, including the Dodge folks, knows that the Dodge has a weak front end design and POS steering box..and has for years. Did they fix it? Hell no. They just keep cranking them out with the same weak parts year after year....Not impressive...

On the Yotas it is the weak indent spring, a really cheap and fast fix. Almost anyone selling Yota junk sells the heavy duty spring...except Yota, of course...

[Robert B]

nope brody i bought old school american !!!! knew id get that in somewhere :)