J20 Clutch hopping.

Bali_J20

New member
I would like to ask a few questions regarding the clutch on a 1981 J20 pickup.
Firstly. Whenever I let out the clutch in first gear the things does some rather heavy hopping and lurching until the clutch pedal is fully out when it finally calms down. It sounds like a slapping in the transfer case when it's doing this. I figure this as by rotating the driveshafts back and forward by hand it makes the same sound. Should I be able to rotate the shafts like this ?? The rear doesn't move far but the front moves about 10 degrees either side of it's initial position. Would this hopping be a clutch problem or something more sinister :?: I think the clutch is past it's use by date anyhow due to an occasional slipping as well.
Secondly. Could someone point me to a stepped guide of replacing a clutch on the J20. I'd like to tackle this one myself.
Thirdly. What would be the most suitable clutch kit to use as a replacement :?: I use the jeep mainly onroad in heavily conjested traffic in Bali/Indonesia so would like a clutch which has a fairly forgiving pedal action. There's not a great deal of choices of kits available at home but I have seen a Centreforce kit there. I'm guessing that would be pretty heavy duty and a pain after a while in a traffic jam.
Thanks in advance.
 
Clutch chatter is normally caused by worn clutch components and a warped flywheel. That's where i would start looking for the issue.
 
Thanks for the replies. Possibility of changing the flywheel as well is a bit scary. Is there any links available to give some pointers on how to do this. ?? I don't have a manual for this truck.
Thanks again.
 

I don't have the manual for that. It should be as simple as disconnecting the linkage's and shifter, remove the t.case retainers and transmission. Remove the front and rear driveshaft then pull the trans. back far enough to access the flywheel and replace the clutch components. Make sure you use a pilot/ clutch disc alignment tool to facilitate an easy trans installation.
 
Most appreciated gents.
I'm good to go ahead and attempt this myself I reckon. Just need to find a decent clutch kit now. Cheers.
 
check the engine and transmission mounts to see if the rubber to metal bond failed. (pry them with a crowbar or jack the weight off them)

that kind if heavy chatter can be a broken pressure plate spring too... which would show up as clutch slip.
 

The brass rivets of the disc grab the pressure plate and flywheel which boost slop in the drivetrain (chain sounds kind of sloppy too)
 
Back
Top