Clutch Slipping - 6sp Manual

mjlonghorn · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:35 am

I am into the third month of ownership and it feels like the clutch is starting to slip. This is my first manual transmission so I am not exactly sure what a clutch feels like when it is going out. I have an 06 Liberty Sport with 74,000 miles on the odometer. I've read that switching to Amsoil or Royal Purple may help with rough shifting but would it help with the clutch issue?

What is the average life expectancy of a clutch under normal driving conditions? Can you readjust a clutch? Any ways to test if a clutch is slipping?

Thanks for the help.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:46 am

The clutch should be self adjusting. It sounds like the life of your clutch is coming to an end. Whoever owned it might have "ridden" the clutch. If so, 74,000 sounds about right. There is a right way to drive a stick and a wrong way. At a stop light , put it in neutral. By keeping the clutch in you are introducing unnecessary wear. Keep your foot away from the clutch when moving in order to keep from "riding" it while moving.
Good luck...and if you do need to replace, please post what $ you had to pay.
(I have always heard that a manual trans is a wash with the automatic as far as cost of ownership. The manual gets better mpg, but that is deleted by the eventual need for a replacement clutch). The manual kj does get a beefier transfer case than the automatic gets, for what it's worth.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:50 am

You cannot adjust the clutch on a KJ. It's controlled hydraulically.

A clutch can go as little as 2 miles to 200.000 miles, depending on who is driving.

To check your clutch:

Start driving in 1 or 2 gear (say 10 Mph). Then smack it in 5 or 6th and floor the skinny pedal.

If engine rev's go vroooooooooooom your clutch is toast.

It's not that big of a job if you are thinking of doing it yourself, but you will need a hoist and a tranny jack.

Look here: http://www.ifsjeepers.com/phpBB3/viewto ... ?f=24&t=40

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:10 pm

tonycrd wrote:

Look here: http://www.ifsjeepers.com/phpBB3/viewto ... ?f=24&t=40

Great video, however, keep in mind that the "06 has the NSG 370, not the 3550 as shown on the video.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:25 pm

Yeah that's my CRD, but on the 3.7 it should be the same job other then the flywheel.

mjlonghorn · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:30 pm

Well I tried the 10 mph to 6th with a healthy dose of skinny peddle and the engine bogged down and almost stalled. It appears I need to revisit my earlier thinking. Any other ideas?

infernicus · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:56 pm

I rode my clutch from day one .. Without realizing it.
I kept my foot off the clutch at a stop. But I did notice I wasn't completely lifting my foot off the pedal going from a stop to whatever gear I was cruising at.
(For me it was a learning curve because the KJ doesn't have a space to put your foot to the left of the clutch)
Also, Ive done many "burnouts" with my truck with the factory tires, it was just too easy :lol:

And also learning how to properly offroad with a manual is just as fun. Nothing like burnt clutch in the morning! :mrgreen:

(I also taught myself to drive without a clutch, THAT IS FUN!)
My mechanic charged me roughly $800 USD to change my clutch.
He said the Engine side was fine.

Oops on my part. :oops:

Either way, Enjoy!

Kingmick217 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:35 pm **Posts:** 27

How common / rare are the manual transmission KJ's. I've only seen one so far (I bought it) and my father owns a car lot and auto auction. Obviously we're not talking uber-rare but you'd think that a guy would see more of them.

Clutch Slipping - 6sp Manual

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