Topic: AX5 Hard To Shift Into 1st Gear From Neutral When Stopped

[sharpxmen]

The jeep has 183,000 miles and it has the original clutch.  So I'm thinking it's time to replace it as a preventive maintenance action before I run into trouble.

that would def be a good idea, i had no clue the clutch can last that long anyway , it might solve your shifting issue or save you from getting stranded somewhere in the future.

[jfrabat]

As for the hard shifting, I had the same issue, and the MT-90 cured it.  Haave been running it since the first time I tried it about 7 years ago...

[Jeffy]

I think converting it to an automatic would suck.  You'd lose OD.  I'd still try changing the fluids and see if that helps.  It might be enough.

[DanMarino]

Looking for a place that sells Redline locally today.

Yup, I'm thinking an automatic tranny in the 4 banger would stink too.

[DanMarino]

Ordered some Redline MT-90 and will pick it up locally on Monday.

So who has done a clutch lately?

How hard is it to replace if if you have never done one before?

[Bounty Hunter]

I usually run a few quarts of generic ATF through the transmission to ensure all the old stuff is flushed out before putting the MT90 in.

[sharpxmen]

Ordered some Redline MT-90 and will pick it up locally on Monday.

So who has done a clutch lately?

How hard is it to replace if if you have never done one before?

if you have a 3'' or so lift with 33s you can do it on it's wheels. most challenging part is to put the transmission back in.

[DanMarino]

I'm stock with saggy leaf springs. 

I chatted with my neighbor yesterday and he seemed to think that the clutch replacement wouldn't be too difficult.  Compared to a head gasket, he thought it would be a piece of cake.  He even offered that I could borrow his transmisison jack....

Picking up the Redline MT-90 tonight on my way home from work.
Will drain and fill the transmission tonight.
Will report shiftability on Tuesday.

[sharpxmen]

make sure you drain the transmission fluid before pulling the t-case, the transmission seals on the input shaft of the t-case and if not drained you'll end up with it on the ground.

you'll need to jack up the front or maybe the rear high enough to be able to pull the trans without a lift and  bigger tires i think, i can't imagine having enough room under it otherwise and even so would be tight.

[DanMarino]

I picked up the Red Line MT-90 last night on my way home from work.  I drained out the 10w30 that was in the tranny and pumped in the Red Line.

I'm a believer.  The transmission is very smooth now.  Shifting from neutral to 1st Gear when stopped is still not 100% perfect, but the Red Line has made a huge improvement. 

I'll report back in a month to document how it shifts with more use.

[SamsonJR]

new here and just browsing, I had a Similar problem with a ax5 a few years back in a 94 yj. on a trip to Montalk, I was unable to shift into 1st or 2nd, I only had 3rd-5th. there's something called spring detent, if you look along the sides of your tranny, there are a few bolts you remove, there is a ball bearing/spring/ball bearing. i dont remember how many there were, but I sprayed em down with wd40, changed the tranny oil and it was fixed. somehting with the dentent, it helps the tranny synchronize and shift into gear

[DanMarino]

Does anyone have more information about what SamsonJR is talking about?
Is he saying to remove some bolts on the Tranny and lubricate the ball bearings inside?

[Jeffy]

Does anyone have more information about what SamsonJR is talking about?
Is he saying to remove some bolts on the Tranny and lubricate the ball bearings inside?

I'm guessing it's one of the bolts that say Do Not Remove.  I haven't looked though.  I wouldn't use WD40 though.  Though I'm sure changing the fluid is that really helped.

[sharpxmen]

Does anyone have more information about what SamsonJR is talking about?
Is he saying to remove some bolts on the Tranny and lubricate the ball bearings inside?

there's trans oil inside so there shouldn't be a need to lubricate the bearings, if that is the case they'd blow up before you can lubricate again

he's talking about the rail detent balls and springs, those if seized would cause the trans to jump out of gear, nothing to do with shifting into the gear unless it blocks the rail from moving, i haven't seen it happening that way but that doesn't mean it can't - i doubt would be your issue though.

[Jeffy]

I've been locked out of 1st many times.  (That's actually one of the early faults of the AX series.  It happens with the 15 as well.) Usually happens when the trans is cold or can happen when really hot too.  The usual fix is to change the fluid to something better.