Stick wobbles when I take off in 1st. What does that mean?

TheMightyGoat · 06-01-2009, 09:57 PM

It actually started a while ago. I got in the Jeep one morning, started the engine, went to put it in gear... nope. Wouldn't go. I fiddled with it a bit, it finally did. But a couple days later it got to the point that it wouldn't go in gear at all with the engine running and I'd have to put it in gear with the engine off, then start it in gear, and I could usually shift after that.

After driving it like that for a while it stopped sticking and I haven't had to start it in gear for a couple weeks now. But still the stick wobbles noticeably when I take off in 1st. As in maybe 3/4 inch in either direction until it gets up to speed.

So, do I need a new clutch or what? How would it make my transmission wobble like that?

Mini-Me26 · 06-01-2009, 10:03 PM

Transmission mount? Is this after some time of driving or just generally always?

**Jerry Bransford** · 06-01-2009, 10:08 PM

A left-to-right stick wiggle during acceleration, especially in low gears, is often a sign of a broken motor mount. If you have a broken motor mount, stick with rubber mounts like from M.O.R.E. (mountain off road enterprises) as polyurethane mounts transmit a lot more of the engine vibration into the passenger compartment.

TheMightyGoat · 06-01-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

A left-to-right stick wiggle during acceleration, especially in low gears, is often a sign of a broken motor mount. If you have a broken motor mount, stick with rubber mounts like from M.O.R.E. (mountain off road enterprises) as polyurethane mounts transmit a lot more of the engine vibration into the passenger compartment.

The stick wobble seems to be there only when accelerating in 1st.

Would this also explain the clutch not engaging right (not going into gear)? I s'pose if the engine weren't mounted right it could push the flywheel back... ?

**lumpster** · 06-01-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMightyGoat

The stick wobble seems to be there only when accelerating in 1st.

due to increased torque from gearing and starting a stopped vehilce

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMightyGoat

Would this also explain the clutch not engaging right (not going into gear)?

it would have effect on the clutch, it is hydraulic, so as long as its hooked up it works. Not going into gear is a different thing, if your motor mount was far gone enough your shifter could be hitting the transmission tunnel and cause it to not go into gear ( unlikely)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMightyGoat

I s'pose if the engine weren't mounted right it could push the flywheel back... ?

No it couldnt, the distance between the motor and flywheel and clutch is fixed, bolts would have to be loose, broken or not there for this to happen.

TheMightyGoat · 06-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Additional thought:

The stick only wobbles accelerating in 1st, not reverse. Is reverse not geared as low as 1st?

OzarkOutdoors · 06-02-2009, 08:05 PM

...motor mount.

**Jerry Bransford** · 06-02-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMightyGoat

Additional thought:

The stick only wobbles accelerating in 1st, not reverse. Is reverse not geared as low as 1st?

It's actually geared lower but you're probably just not "getting on it" as much in Reverse as you do when you're taking off in 1st gear.

The reason a broken motor mount can cause this is because the engine actually lifts up off the side with the broken mount which rotates the drivetrain (engine/tranny/transfer case) that the shifter is attached to.

TheMightyGoat · 06-02-2009, 08:43 PM

Guess I'll check the mounts then. I have an OEM book, it should tell me where to look. Still don't know what was up with the clutch, but that's a different story I guess. Anything else I should know before I go trying to change one of these (assuming I find one broken)?

Thanks for the help people.

incredibull · 06-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

A left-to-right stick wiggle during acceleration, especially in low gears, is often a sign of a broken motor mount.

I have the same problem, but I've inspected the mounts and nothing appears to be visibly broken. The bracket is undamaged and the bushing appears to be intact. What signs, if any, are visually indicative of a bad mount?

Most of the time, I only get a decent shake out of the shifter when I'm slipping the clutch out to start on a steep hill. I'm wondering if the OEM motor mounts are just too soft to begin with.

TheMightyGoat · 06-02-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by incredibull

I'm wondering if the OEM motor mounts are just too soft to begin with.

Well, for me, the wobble didn't start until about a year after I'd owned it (and I got it used), and it was quite the noticeable change.

Come to think of it the broken motor mount could be the result of whatever the hell was making my clutch engage funny. There was a period of time I had a lot of jumps and jerks starting it in gear, and even had to stall it out with the brake a couple of times when the clutch wouldn't disengage being all the way down to the floor. (Yeah I could have turned the key off, but I was trying to get it to shift before I had to turn the engine off, or else I wasn't getting home. I finally got it to.)

**lumpster** · 06-02-2009, 09:11 PM

If you are thinking about it, or need to do it, i strongly suggest oyu look into MORE torsion rubber motor mounts. http://www.mountainoffroad.com/Catalog/BombProof%20MM/TJmounts.html

these are IMO the best, ive had 2 sets on different jeeps, ill be buying them for this 05 also.

TJ-Driver · 06-02-2009, 10:23 PM

Mine does this in the mornings only. Almost every morning. I think it's a little surface rust on the flywheel and pressure plate.

Causes clutch chatter which transmits through the stick on the first three or four starts. Then fine for the rest of the day.

Anyone else see this?

TheMightyGoat · 06-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ-Driver

Mine does this in the mornings only. Almost every morning. I think it's a little surface rust on the flywheel and pressure plate.

Causes clutch chatter which transmits through the stick on the first three or four starts. Then fine for the rest of the day.

Anyone else see this?

That's not the deal with mine. Mine does it consistently (now) and it started abruptly only a few months ago.

I did have oil pissing all over the clutch a few months before all this occurred due to a leaky rear main, if it should make any difference.

TheMightyGoat · 06-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Okay, both the front mounts and the rear (skid plate) mount look fine to me. Nothing's loose or obviously broken. I reefed on 'em and they didn't have any play.

Now what?