1st Gear Problems 98 TJ Sahara

zeke713

New Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Location
Ayden
I just saved up and finally got my first jeep wrangler its a 1998 Sahara and it runs great previous owner installed a new clutch shifts smooth, no engine problems. It has some rust but I'm working on that. The only real problem is that occasionally ie every few days or so I'll have trouble with first gear in that when I go to shift into first it will shift in but it feels almost as if first isn't completely engaging and my jeep will "buck" almost like its trying to get the gears to grip but it won't and I'll have to take it out of gear and come usually to a dead stop and shift back in and go about my merry way. When it does this the engine doesn't make any sounds nor does the transmission grind, and if i try to give it more gas because I at first thought I was shifting it into first with the rpms too low it will make a knocking sound. I've mentioned this problem to a few people and I've been told I need to find out if the previous owner had the flywheel resurfaced when the clutch was replaced, and/or I need to bleed the clutch.

Just wondering if anyone has had this problem before or if anyone had some advice or pointers. I'm kind of teaching myself as I go with everything as far as mechanically working on the jeep so any help for a newbie at all would be greatly appreciated.
 
So basically when you let the clutch out sometimes it kind of shakes? Sounds like a warped flywheel to me. The one in my Red 4runner is that way when cold. I'm sure I've overheated the thing but I just deal with it. Happens to me mostly first start off of the day and then is fine after that.
 
It does a lot more than just shake it actually "bucks" the whole vehicle literally kind of in the same sense as a horse and I have to take it out of gear.
 
My brother had a Early Bronco that did this too (Get it bucking bronco lol) His turned out to be the flywheel. We smoked the hell out of it 4 wheeling in the snow one day after early dismissal in high school. Got both trucks stuck in the snow and spent the better part of the afternoon knee deep in snow digging them out.

Try just letting the clutch out really slow without giving it any gas (On a level surface) and see if you can get it to just engage then go from there.
 
Well it wasn't the fly wheel, fly wheel is perfect... had some people say to start looking for an electrical, computer or injector problem...feels like im looking for a damn needle in a hay stack...
 
Check for loose or broken motor mounts. Make sure skid plate bolts are tight. Look for excessive play in drivetrain such as bolts between transmission, u-joints,u-bolts on axles, spring mounts. If you have a suspension lift check pinion angle.
 
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