I recently noticed that in only 4th and 6th gear (I think because I would only notice it when driving fast) that there was a noise coming from what I thought was the transmission. It sounded sort of like a grinding noise but only occurred when I accelerate. Anyway, took it to the dealership and they said I need a new clutch. I find that odd because I'm only at 50k miles right now and they replaced the clutch back at 6k miles due some TSB issue. So that would be 44k miles on a clutch which seems low. I have 4.88 gears and only do light offroading when I can which isn't that often anymore.

My questions are:

• Anyone else have any clutch issues with these few of miles? Searched the forum and found a few other interesting threads...
• Anyone else notice specifically something with 4th and 6th gear? It's only when accelerating and going higher speeds like 50-60mph is when it's really loud.

The dealership didn't take anything apart to diagnose it as my clutch I don't think, so I can't help but wonder if it's something else. Just looking for any advice/guidance. I called Chrysler and opened a case with them to review so at least I'm on that track. I should hear back from them tomorrow.

 

I've read a TSB someplace about the transmission popping out of gear in 2nd or 4th because the inside of the shift boot keeps the shift lever from fully engaging gears when the lever is in the rearward position. I don't know if it applies to your Jeep but you could imagine a situation where if it went on for a long time (not fully engaging) that it might wear out the synchronizers or shift forks.

This is a non-expert speaking so take it with a grain of salt.

 

Well, I'm assuming good news on this issue. After calling Chrysler, they contacted the dealership and were willing to discount the work. So with a small co-pay, they are going to repair my clutch for me. So I feel satisfied that I get a new clutch (despite an early life on it) for much less. Hopefully this new one will last a lot longer.

 

It also depends on how u drive ur jeep and how much off roading you do, if u slip ur clutch too much or are not shifting right, it will cause it to wear out a lot faster, I have 43k on my jeep oem clutch right now, and mine is still fine, one of my buddies has about 52k on his jeep and his clutch went but then again he doesn't know how to drive stick very well, but typically about 50 to 80k is where the clutch will fail and need to be replaced but I have seen some go all the way up to 120k just depends on how u drive and how u shift

 

Just to update this thread. The dealership had my Jeep from Dec 10th and I just got it back yesterday on Feb 21st. I now have a new clutch, new transmission, new transfer case, and had to put in new gears in the rear axle as they even tried to blame it on that. After all that, I still have the noise. But now it's coming from 2nd gear loudly and 4th gear quietly and 6th gear you can't hear it at all.

Someone messaged me about a shifter fork that might need to be replaced. I'm desperate to try that now since nothing else has seemed to work. It's not a horrible problem, but irritating.

 

After 3 hours of research last weekend, came to find the inner shift boot issue (not outer which is the one you can see). Sure enough, I pulled out the outer boot and saw a huge hole in the inner shift boot (pics attached). Put a ton of duct tape that wouldn't stick but put enough on there to test it by cramming it in and all around the boot crack/hole. I went for a test drive and all the noises were gone!

Called Jeep and ordered the $30 inner shift boot part (called transmission gear boot lower) and amazingly it was easy to install. Noises are almost entirely better. With the radio off, I feel like 2nd gear still whines or makes a weird noise noise some like a can being crushed quietly under some covers or something but it's 10x times better than before. I'm happy now with everything and can drive my manual Jeep in confidence again. The new transmission and clutch are nice actually and it drives almost like new!

Case closed... hopefully.

 

Hahahaha. Yup, same thing happened to me. I was shocked to realize how much noise that little thing keeps out.

I can't believe they did the clutch. This is why I NEVER trust dealership diagnosis alone. Always get a second opinion. Simple problem (that is actually fairly common) and they immediately jump to major clutch/transmission work. I've had similar experiences time, after time, after time.

 

I have the same problem with my 11 but only in 3rd gear I has 21k on it an I highly doubt it's my clutch but I haven't taken it to the dealer yet I ask about this on here before an was told either a sycro or the gear itself

 

Did you have to pay for all that work or was it warranty work? An dumb question what is TSB? Is that the throw out bearing