Dauntless Clutch Replacement

While 4 wheeling yesterday, my clutch was acting up...not fully releasing.
I'm not gonna fiddle around with it, just replace it. What's everyone's experience with replacement clutches?
This is a stock 1970 CJ5 with a 225.

 

I used a 10.5 chevy clutch.

You say not fully releasing. Does that mean the transmission was still spinning when clutch pedal fully depressed?

 

Yes
Had to turn the engine off to get it into gear.

 

It was acting up while in the mountains....then was working fine once we got back home. So either it's altitude related (seems pretty unlikely! ) or heat related.

 

is it the cable clutch

 

Do you have any Free-Pay at the top of the pedal travel w/ Engine Off?................No free play clutch will slip.........I would adjust the linkage.

 

The adjustment is ok, now. It was just after a sustained climb and everything got hot that it started acting up.
So what's a good replacement unit?

 

Ok...........simple answer , the added heat expanded the parts , so the clutch pack is now larger in total thickness than when cooler and you then loose the air gap needed to allow for the clutch to lock up........if on a long sustained climb which takes added torque it heated up it was slipping all the way! You probably need to add a little more free-play /air gap to the adjustment to lock it up..........not sure what you have now but I would add at least a 1/4" , that will also mean that the clutch pedal coming off the floor will engage the clutch sooner and hopefully does not effect the pedal travel at that end to fully release the clutch...............When is the last time that disc was replaced?

 

I've owned the Jeep for 18 years and have never put a clutch in it...

 

That's good you have not abused it!..........If you take it where you did on the long climb much in the future it may not last much longer........you can try the adjustment and see if it will work at both ends of the clutch adjustment spectrum.
1) Enough pedal travel down to get the clutch to release and 2) enough free play at the other end to allow the clutch to lock up..........if not the disc is probably worn out!

 

Awesome! Put a clutch in it. Sachs or similar. I used some off brand on sale and it works for me just fine.

 

Make sure to compare the new and old throw out bearings carefully before you put it back together. Very common to get the wrong length bearing in the kits now.

 

First thing you want to decide is 3 finger vs diaphram type clutch.
Diaphram tends rto be smoother and softer pedal but 3 finger normally provides increased plate pressure.
Make sure the release bearing is suited to type of clutch chosen.

 

FWIW; I will most likely go to a Centerforce Diaphragm (style) clutch assy the next time. Three finger (Borg and Beck style) has never been a problem for me; just would be nice to have a softer pedal. Might be overkill, but that's fine by me...

Although the BOP T350 in my shop has been calling my name for some time now!

 

the very first clutch I removed for my jeep was a 3 finger 12 spring leg shaker . that thing would kill clutch cables too . I think the jeep V6 version is only 9 spring

 

I'm leaning towards the LUK clutch, simply because I have used that brand in the past.