Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

New clutch slave / master died

LMUdave

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Joined
Aug 23, 2022
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California
Hi guys,
Quick background: I have a 2004 wrangler sport, 126,000 miles. We’ve had it for about 8,000 miles. And it worked perfectly until about 4 months ago. Clutch started getting hard to shift into first and second, but only after driving for a while or if it was really hot outside. Then it would be hard to shift into gear.
I changed the trans fluid before this started happening and put in MTL. Fluid levels seem right and it would drive perfectly for about 10 miles until the shifting started to get hard going into first and second. The further I drove, the worse the shifting got.
I checked this site a lot and saw mention of the clutch master/slave being a likely culprit. Tried bleeding the original, adding more fluid, etc. didn’t seem to fix the problem so I just bought a brand new Dorman prefilled system and installed it. Drove around a good amount (50 miles maybe) and it seemed like the problem was fixed until today.
Went for a ride in the mountains with my kids and about 45 minutes into the drive it became a bit harder to shift into 2nd, then 3rd, then even 4th gear. Got down into the flats and couldn’t put the jeep into 1st or second at all, tried to shift into third and boom! No more clutch pressure and a puddle of fluid under the slave. Had to get towed.
My question for the forum is: does this sound like a problem with the clutch internals or do you think I just got a faulty clutch master/slave unit? I’m just hoping not to buy another hydraulic unit to have it fail again if something is going wrong in the clutch. Kinda stumped as the jeep drives so perfectly for a while… until it doesn’t.

Any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Approximately 4 years ago I had the same problem that became worse to the point where the clutch pedal was almost on the floor before the clutch would start to release.
Ordered a knock off replacement from Rock Auto and it didn’t work nor would it fit properly. When I tried to return the part RA Customer Service wanted me to explain to them how to fix the problem. My response to them was “I am not your Design Engineer nor is it my job as a customer to explain to you how to resolve your fitment problems”.
I purchased a more expensive factory EOM part which fit perfectly and worked flawlessly when I installed the part.
Unless I have no other choice; I REFUSE to purchase a Chinese knock off for any replacement Jeep part.
 
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Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the LUK systems fit my year Jeep or I would have bought that from here ins. It’s a 2004 with the nv3550 so not sure if that’s why.
 
Hey guys, i have same issue with my wrangler, 194.000 miles. What i wanted to ask, if i will buy a new complete clutch, master slave, etc, i need to know which gear box i have ? Or it will be good for both, ax15 and nv3550 ? Thanks for your reply
 
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the LUK systems fit my year Jeep or I would have bought that from here ins. It’s a 2004 with the nv3550 so not sure if that’s why.

I have a luk in my 02 with NV3550, I can't imagine why it wouldn't fit later years.
 
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Hey guys, i have same issue with my wrangler, 194.000 miles. What i wanted to ask, if i will buy a new complete clutch, master slave, etc, i need to know which gear box i have ? Or it will be good for both, ax15 and nv3550 ? Thanks for your reply

If you go to the resources section there are parts lists for every year/variation. I would check that to be certain.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts