Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
pass up.

I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
serviced this winter anyways.

Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
the clutch is a big job.

So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
years to come.

Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.

So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
try to diagnose the problem.

Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!

- Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
that can break giving your symptoms, I think...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>
> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
that can break giving your symptoms, I think...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>
> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
that can break giving your symptoms, I think...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>
> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

In addition, the snap ring in the end of the master cylinder that holds
the push rod in could have popped out (Been there, drove out of the
woods and home with no clutch once). '98 has an external slave cylinder
as well. I'd check both the master and slave cylinder areas before
thinking about dropping the transmission.
Jeff



Mike Romain wrote:
> There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
> that can break giving your symptoms, I think...
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> "'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
>> pass up.
>>
>> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
>> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
>> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
>> serviced this winter anyways.
>>
>> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
>> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
>> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
>> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
>> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
>> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
>> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
>> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
>> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
>> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
>> the clutch is a big job.
>>
>> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
>> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
>> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
>> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
>> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
>> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
>> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
>> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
>> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
>> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
>> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
>> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
>> years to come.
>>
>> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
>> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
>> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
>> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
>> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
>> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
>> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
>> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
>> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
>> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
>> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>>
>> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
>> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
>> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
>> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
>> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
>> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
>> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
>> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
>> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
>> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
>> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
>> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
>> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
>> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
>> try to diagnose the problem.
>>
>> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>>
>> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

In addition, the snap ring in the end of the master cylinder that holds
the push rod in could have popped out (Been there, drove out of the
woods and home with no clutch once). '98 has an external slave cylinder
as well. I'd check both the master and slave cylinder areas before
thinking about dropping the transmission.
Jeff



Mike Romain wrote:
> There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
> that can break giving your symptoms, I think...
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> "'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
>> pass up.
>>
>> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
>> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
>> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
>> serviced this winter anyways.
>>
>> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
>> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
>> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
>> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
>> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
>> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
>> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
>> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
>> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
>> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
>> the clutch is a big job.
>>
>> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
>> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
>> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
>> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
>> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
>> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
>> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
>> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
>> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
>> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
>> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
>> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
>> years to come.
>>
>> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
>> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
>> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
>> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
>> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
>> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
>> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
>> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
>> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
>> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
>> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>>
>> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
>> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
>> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
>> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
>> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
>> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
>> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
>> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
>> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
>> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
>> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
>> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
>> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
>> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
>> try to diagnose the problem.
>>
>> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>>
>> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

In addition, the snap ring in the end of the master cylinder that holds
the push rod in could have popped out (Been there, drove out of the
woods and home with no clutch once). '98 has an external slave cylinder
as well. I'd check both the master and slave cylinder areas before
thinking about dropping the transmission.
Jeff



Mike Romain wrote:
> There is a plastic clip on the clutch linkage at the top of the pedal
> that can break giving your symptoms, I think...
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> "'98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O" wrote:
>> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
>> pass up.
>>
>> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
>> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
>> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
>> serviced this winter anyways.
>>
>> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
>> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
>> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
>> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
>> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
>> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
>> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
>> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
>> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
>> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
>> the clutch is a big job.
>>
>> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
>> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
>> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
>> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
>> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
>> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
>> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
>> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
>> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
>> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
>> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
>> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
>> years to come.
>>
>> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
>> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
>> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
>> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
>> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
>> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
>> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
>> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
>> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
>> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
>> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>>
>> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
>> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
>> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
>> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
>> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
>> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
>> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
>> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
>> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
>> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
>> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
>> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
>> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
>> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
>> try to diagnose the problem.
>>
>> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>>
>> - Andy

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

My first step would be to open the hood, remove the cap from the clutch
master cylinder and check the fluid. It will do just what you describe if
the brake fluid in the clutch system gets too low. Best part? The fix is
really, really cheap and easy <g>. With the luck you had getting the Jeep
back, I'd bet on that and buy a Powerball ticket while I was getting a
bottle of brake fluid.

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:01:22 -0800, '98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O wrote:

> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy



--
Will Honea <whonea@yahoo.com>

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

My first step would be to open the hood, remove the cap from the clutch
master cylinder and check the fluid. It will do just what you describe if
the brake fluid in the clutch system gets too low. Best part? The fix is
really, really cheap and easy <g>. With the luck you had getting the Jeep
back, I'd bet on that and buy a Powerball ticket while I was getting a
bottle of brake fluid.

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:01:22 -0800, '98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O wrote:

> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy



--
Will Honea <whonea@yahoo.com>

Re: Recovered Stolen '98 TJ with Clutch Problems
 

My first step would be to open the hood, remove the cap from the clutch
master cylinder and check the fluid. It will do just what you describe if
the brake fluid in the clutch system gets too low. Best part? The fix is
really, really cheap and easy <g>. With the luck you had getting the Jeep
back, I'd bet on that and buy a Powerball ticket while I was getting a
bottle of brake fluid.

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:01:22 -0800, '98 TJ Milo O]]]]]]]O wrote:

> I'll start with the technical problem... but the story is too much to
> pass up.
>
> I drive a '98 TJ Sahara that I bought brand new and have now racked up
> 112,000 miles. I know that the clutch wears out and have heard some
> stories of these babies lasting 125k, but I planned to get mine
> serviced this winter anyways.
>
> Now the clutch is shot, but it didn't happen while I was driving...
> you'll need to read the whole post to know when that happened. When I
> depress my clutch, I feel very little resistance and will not release.
> Even to truly diagnose the problem, I'll need to remove the
> transmission. When I depress the clutch there is no resistance. The
> clutch will not release, I can't change gears. I can start in 1st gear
> and move that way, but that's obviously rather awkward, especially in a
> city where one needs to stop every few blocks. I am a smart and handy
> guy and have made some minor repairs on my Jeep before, such as
> replacing the radiator, windshield wiper motor and linkage, etc... But
> the clutch is a big job.
>
> So for now I'm driving a rental Mitsubishi Lancer (ARGH!) Anyone want
> to help? Any suggestions of a mechanic that will help? I don't have a
> tranny jack, apropriate tools, nothing. But if there's somebody in the
> city who wants to help, I'm eager to learn, and already know
> essentially what is entailed in a clutch overhaul. My theory is the
> clutch throw-out bearing came loose from the fork and just started
> falling straight through. I read another post with identical symptoms
> and photos of the fork. I'll pay for the parts and provide beer and
> good conversation and help, I just don't know enough Jeep people in
> Chicago to help me out with this caliber project. What's worse, I
> don't even have a garage! I'm hoping this ordeal will help me make
> some good Jeep friends in the city to work with and off-road with for
> years to come.
>
> Now for the back story... the Jeep was stolen last week, on Dec 29th.
> I had done something stupid... the ignition key cylinder is, let's just
> say, a tad worn... so I can slide the key out while the engine is
> running. This allows me to lock the doors and run into the house for
> quick things and then come back out without putting undue wear on the
> ignition system. So one night I did just that, ran into a friend's
> house to drop off some things, 10 minutes later I came back to a
> missing Jeep. I was beside myself with anger with myself, with the
> thieves, with the City of Chicago and their inept system... but mostly
> with myself as leaving the car running in Chicago was inviting this.
> Oh by the way, I live in the city of Chicago... I KNOW THIS WAS STUPID.
>
> So, the thieves headed their way to the west side with my Milo and I'm
> sure it was destined to a garage where the wheels would be taken and or
> at the least it was to be dumped in an out of the way area... *SHAZAM*
> but the clutch release evidently stopped working about 3 miles into
> their trip... 3500 W Madison Ave. For those who don't know Chicago,
> this is a very busy road, and a fairly obviously place to be caught
> with a stolen vehicle. They stole the stereo and left the car on the
> side of the road, unable to get the car into gear or turn the engine
> off, I can only imagine they were in a hurry to get away from a stolen
> vehicle and I WISH I had seen the look on their face. When I checked
> the impound lot on Jan 2nd for my plates, they had my Jeep. I feared
> the worst, but found it in near new condition minus the stereo (of
> course) and the bad clutch... a roach in the ashtray and a smell that
> defies explanation. It's since been towed to my parking lot while I
> try to diagnose the problem.
>
> Thanks for reading, hoping for the best!
>
> - Andy



--
Will Honea <whonea@yahoo.com>