[jillyjill]

Hi,
I am a proud new Jeep owner - I bought a 98 TJ Sahara model that is a 5 speed. It has about 82K miles, so I am assuming my clutch may be going, but I know people who have had jeeps for 120K miles with no clutch repair.
Every gear is working well except when I go from 1st to 2nd, every second or third time that I shift into 2nd, I have trouble getting it to go in. It's not grinding, but I have to leave the clutch in and force it into gear.
Has anyone had a similar problem?
If it is going to take a full clutch repair, does anyone know what these run?
Thanks!
Jill

[SittingDuck]

I dont know if I can help but I have a brand new 05 Jeep Wrangler and 2nd gear is a little tougher to get into than all the others. I was wondering the same thing myself. Just so you know you are not alone! Good Luck!

[Muddy Tj Zack]

Not sure what the weather is like were you are from....but there are two shifter boots on your 5 speed a lower one and an upper one (you cant see the lower one) and they tend to be a little stiff on the shifter rod esp in the cold weather they like to freeze up. Some people cut the lower one because you cant see that one to loosen it up a lil bit. Mine does the same thing but only in the cold. If it does it all the time it might be a syncronizer. My buddys went out in his mustang and if you dont shift at perfect RPM's it would grind a lil. As for a full on clutch rebuild i dont think that will be your issue. A lot of people run big tires with 200,000 miles without a clutch problem (I have 35's and 152,000 mi) but just for prices my S-10 clutch was $100 with lifetime warranty, but i did all the work myself. The local shop wanted $400 dollars (with parts and labor), and another guy wanted $300 (with parts and labor). Labor is alot because you have to drop the Tranny. I hope this helps ya out a little bit.

[RnEmOvr]

not the clutch, i had the same prob so i replaced my clutch and it still does it, so when you find out please let me know, also my boot is removed due to bl, and i forgot to put lower one back on and still did it, dealership was cheapest place for clutch kit

[Muddy Tj Zack]

They cheapest clutch i found for my S-10 was AutoZone....so check there to if you think that will be the problem. Make sure you shop around though cuz there was over 100 dollar difference in some when i went lookin

[BobboTJ]

Ive heard about this from alot of people, 1st to 2nd seems to be my easiest shift too. Its most likely not your clutch goin out. I would try to come in at some other angles. On my previous truck the shifter was a piece of crap and it would have problems goin into any gear. I just had to learn the sweet spots after awhile, so maybe you gotta do the same. Good Luck

[Stu Olson]

Jill,
Your '98 Sahara has an AX-15 transmission. They are well noted for being somewhat notchy when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. I have a '98 Sahara....I've lived with it since day #1. I doubt it is your clutch....it if were, you would be having issues getting into all gears....the clutch doesn't discrimiate when it comes to shifting.

The comments about the inner shift boot is valid and can often times improve the situation. Try it.

If that doesn't get you the results you want, change the fluid in your transmission. You want to replace it with Redline MT-90. If you can not find it at a local parts store (usually a hot rod or speed shop will carry it), then order it from Summit Racing on-line. It is MUCH better than the factory fluid (hard to even say if yours has been changed) and will also help improve the 1st to 2nd shift issue with the AX-15 tranny.

Your tranny takes 3.25 quarts of fluid, so pick up 4 quarts.

Good luck!

[BobboTJ]

What about royal purple, how would that compare to redline?

[sparkeep]

Originally Posted by SittingDuck

I dont know if I can help but I have a brand new 05 Jeep Wrangler and 2nd gear is a little tougher to get into than all the others. I was wondering the same thing myself. Just so you know you are not alone! Good Luck!

Same here. I bought a new 2005 in June and it was sweet until it started getting colder out. With winter fast approaching, the transmission is a little tempermental going from 1st to 2nd. Once the tranny/engine warm up everything is great.

If you shift slowly when it is still cold it doesn't make any noise but if you force it you can hear the synchro's engage with a clunk/grind sound.

Kind of annoying but I think it is a "feature" of the 6-speed tranny.

[got_4_lo]

Originally Posted by BobboTJ

What about royal purple, how would that compare to redline?

redline = better ... runs a bit better, lubricates a bit better...

[Scott_98TJ]

Ditto what Stu said, dont try to "fix" it because you'll only spend $ and get aggravated. MT90 helps, but as the outside temps drop, you'll still notice it more than warmer days. And just to cheer you up, something else you'll notice as it gets colder, the OEM radiators tend to leak more.......

[DeesTJ]

goodluck working out the hardware issues..until then...

try pausing for a second in your shift between 1st and 2nd.

push the clutch in. Move the stick to N (keep holding the clutch OR relase for a moment and push it back down). Give the RPM's time to fall (usually about 1-2 seconds during normal take-off).then move the stick to 2nd and complete your shift.

hope that makes sense...and helps a bit.

[gatesjeff33]

I am having the same problem. I am running an expensive amsoil synthetic in my manual transmission. Is this MT-90 that much better? Would it be worth it?

Why would thicker oil be a problem? I figure it would coat the gears better.

[freeskier93]

Originally Posted by gatesjeff33

I am having the same problem. I am running an expensive amsoil synthetic in my manual transmission. Is this MT-90 that much better? Would it be worth it?

Why would thicker oil be a problem? I figure it would coat the gears better.

Put synthetic 10w-30 motor oil in it, I've done it and almost everyone else who has done is says the same thing, it shifts like butta'.

[gatesjeff33]

Originally Posted by freeskier93

Put synthetic 10w-30 motor oil in it, I've done it and almost everyone else who has done is says the same thing, it shifts like butta'.

I'd be hesitant to do that because I am often towing an extra 2,000 lbs behind the jeep.