1961 Other Jeep Models !953 CJ3 Cant' shift though clutch s

PETERTAY

MEMBER
1961 JEEP

Transmission problem
1961 Other Jeep Models 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual? Miles

CJ3. Original transmission; don't know about clutch. Problem: We can't shift because gears grind. If the engine is not running, shifting is possible.

We can start the engine in neutral or in gear, just can't shift while engine is running.

The clutch pedal feels the same as always (same pressure, same 1.5 inches free play). This problem developed all at once while driving slowly in lo gear in a field.

Does a clutch plate go all at once? There was no noise to suggest anything was tearing apart.

Thanks for your suggestions. --Peter

1 Reply

MICKEY-D

MECHANIC
304 POSTS

You could have a bad pressure plate, not releasing clutch disc completely. With engine off, try to look into bottom of bell housing, (there should be an inspection cover). Have someone push the clutch pedal down and watch to see if the pressure plate moves away from the disc. With the pedal down, try to rotate the clutch disc with a screwdriver. If it doesn't move, either the pres. Plate is bad, or you need to take some free play out of the pedal. In some rare instances, the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft could seize onto the trans input shaft would keep it spinning and not allow it to go into gear. Hope this info helps. Mickey-d