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DEATH SHUDDER! need help!

3K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  ChristmasTime 
#1 ·
Yeah so,

My 97 ( with 5 speed) has been doing some pretty scary things- has anyone else experienced this/ know how to fix it?

After I have been driving around for a little bit, my clutch just seems dump itself no matter how gently I engage it/ no matter what rpms the engine is at. Its just that whenever I engage it in first from a stop especially the whole car seems to shudder/shake. This shuddering just gets worse and worse when I start on any kind of hill too. I've been driving stick for a while and I'm pretty sure I'm not causing this:cool: Even after its out of first, its hard to shift into second, and then into second to third! :banghead: I've noticed that the Jeep really does this shuddering and all during the summer months.
What's going on here!!??
 
#2 ·
how long has this been going on? any odd noises?

Does it do it at higher speeds? or just slow speeds?

You say its worse in Summer months? so when its cold out this doesn't happen?

Is it a single bang when you go to 2nd or third? or multiple back and forth?
 
#4 ·
As I don't have a TJ anymore and my clutch was still strong at 160k... I can't say for sure, but isn't there an area to put some fluid for the clutch in near the master cylinder on the TJ, I think it takes brake fluid or ATF perhaps.. Or I could be 100% wrong... just a thought though.
 
#5 ·
No, your right. Mine was at a good level. Just got back from a small trip and it's kinda warm today....shutter in first. My wife sez she slips the sh~t out of it, I think I'm just going to take it in. I know clutches last longer than 85000 but... I dn't like what it's dong and mine is also hard to shift into second. Will see.
 
#6 ·
It only does it at low speeds, and most times if you are driving and coming to a stop with it in neutral and clutch out, it WILL NOT go into any gear unless you shut the Jeep off. I have 180,000 on the clock and can't honestly remember if the clutch has been replaced recently on it. I know the previous owner ( my older brother) had some work done to the clutch about 2 years ago ( I think the procedure that NVRDLMO mentioned).
How big of a deal is a total clutch replacement on the Jeep?
 
#7 ·
I just had this happen to me for the first time after being a Jeep Wrangler owner for 6+ years.

I just bought a pre-owned Wrangler X (4.0, 6 Speed Manual), with a stock suspension, stock wheels, stock tires, ect. I had just wanted a Spring Training game and was driving home (I probably made it 5 miles), and as I was maintaining speed at 45 MPH, the Jeep started Shuddering and wouldn't stop whether I accelerated or slowed down.

I started feeling like I bought a lemon, but since this incident occurred, it hasn't happened again. I too would be interested in finding out the cause of the Death Wobble. From what I understand, It has to do with the tie rods (but I could be way off)...
 
#8 ·
Okay now, there is a difference between the clutch shutter starting off in first and "death wobble". I had a case of the death wobble after I lifted but that was cured by a wheel alignment. If you have death wobble the first thing you need to do is read the sticky titled "Death Wobble".

What I am talking about is completely different. Good luck.
 
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