Clutch chatter

[Daryl12]

First or second time on the forum bare with me.
So I have a 2001 jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 with the NV3550. I my stupid self decided it would be a good idea to tackle a new clutch myself. So I dropped the transmission and did so with an LUK kit + new flywheel. BRUTE force TO bearing (all metal).
Well. Needless to say NOTHING went appropriately. I hear the TO bearing whine when part way engaging the clutch. I hear other noises at highway speeds like maybe the synchros ? Not a happy noise at at 70mph it shakes or vibrates pretty rough. The vibration I wonder if it's the flywheel improper torqing OR a bad flywheel or the drive shaft perhaps needs balanced? It feels like a tire is way out of balance, but it's centralized in the vehicle not a tire. I can feel the clutch pedal shakes a bit just setting there. I didn't adequately lubricate the pilot bearing. I didn't lubricate the fingers at all and I don't think I was supposed to, but I did the input shaft splines.

Any tips? Unfortunately on the flywheel I couldn't get it to hold still enough for a torq wrench so I used my impact driver with a 100ft/lb torque stick in a criss cross pattern. Perhaps it overtightened a hair?
I'm going back in with the warmer weather and am debating whether I order a brand new clutch or if I should take some sand paper to the old flywheel in case the new one is bad.

Thoughts? Tips? Tricks?

 

[TJason05]

First or second time on the forum bare with me.
So I have a 2001 jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 with the NV3550. I my stupid self decided it would be a good idea to tackle a new clutch myself. So I dropped the transmission and did so with an LUK kit + new flywheel. BRUTE force TO bearing (all metal).
Well. Needless to say NOTHING went appropriately. I hear the TO bearing whine when part way engaging the clutch. I hear other noises at highway speeds like maybe the synchros ? Not a happy noise at at 70mph it shakes or vibrates pretty rough. The vibration I wonder if it's the flywheel improper torqing OR a bad flywheel or the drive shaft perhaps needs balanced? It feels like a tire is way out of balance, but it's centralized in the vehicle not a tire. I can feel the clutch pedal shakes a bit just setting there. I didn't adequately lubricate the pilot bearing. I didn't lubricate the fingers at all and I don't think I was supposed to, but I did the input shaft splines.

Any tips? Unfortunately on the flywheel I couldn't get it to hold still enough for a torq wrench so I used my impact driver with a 100ft/lb torque stick in a criss cross pattern. Perhaps it overtightened a hair?
I'm going back in with the warmer weather and am debating whether I order a brand new clutch or if I should take some sand paper to the old flywheel in case the new one is bad.

Thoughts? Tips? Tricks?

The whining sound from the throw-out bearing during engagement could indicate that it's either not properly seated, or possibly defective. Make sure it’s not contacting the pressure plate when the pedal is released.

A shaking clutch pedal might be a sign of misalignment or an issue with the pressure plate. It sounds like the clutch assembly might not be mounting evenly on the flywheel, which can cause vibrations, especially if not properly torqued.

Using a torque wrench is always a good idea, but if you couldn't hold the flywheel in place, it's possible that the bolts are either too loose or overtightened. If they’re too tight, it might warp the flywheel over time, causing vibrations. When you go back in, ensure that you have a good way to secure the flywheel, using a locking tool if needed.

Not lubricating the pilot bearing can sometimes lead to issues, so it's good to keep that in mind for future reference. The input shaft should have some grease to allow for smooth operation.

If the vibration is centralized, it might be worth looking into your driveshafts or U-joints, but given the recent work done on the clutch, it's likely originating from that area.

If you suspect the flywheel may be bad, resurfacing it could be a good option as long as it’s within spec. Be sure to check for warping and cracks. New is always a safe route but resurfacing could save you some cash if done right.

Considering everything you've mentioned, I'd recommend tearing it down again and carefully inspecting each component. Make sure to torque all bolts to spec, and use proper lubrication where needed.

 

[CharlesHS]

DO NOT ATTEMPT to resurface (cut) a TJ flywheel.
The TJ flywheel has a slightly convex surface to facilitate better clutch engagement and reduce chatter.
IF the flywheel is a LUX product; that flywheel is more than likely designed with clutch engagement in mind.