moglide

Hard to shift the more you drive,does better with cold starts,does not like stop and go traffic also shifts smooth and easy when engine is not running.Clutch is a little hard to push in but not horrible.Where should I start process of elimination maybe bleed system but don't know where bleeder valve is on 96 4.0.I have bled brakes before but never a clutch.Thanks in advance.

jdblep

I noticed a HUGE improvement in shifting after changing out the transmission oil with Redline MT90. Shifting was much easier (at all temps).

investinwaffles

I agree -- MT90 really helped but my trans is still kind of difficult to get in 1st gear (doesn't want to go unless I "massage" it in). I am thinking it is just the synchros going out.
Sounds much smoother with the MT-90 in there though. Really easy to do, one plug to drain and one to fill. I cant remember the exact measurement, but I think I just filled it until a little was running out of the upper fill hole. I ran some 10w30 Penzoil Synthetic in it for a week to clean it out before putting the Redline stuff in, and the MT-90 still feels smoother at all temperatures. Highly recommended.

I am actually unsure of how to bleed the clutch. I would like to find out so I can change the clutch fluid out at some point as well (I assume mine is the original stuff and must be nasty).

moglide

I'll change trans fluid,I run redline in my motorcycle trans and it helped to shift smoother than Amsoil.I've only owned this jeep for a couple weeks and have no idea how old fluid is or whats in trans,good place to start.

salad

That's normal lol. My XJ's clutch is very stiff compared to everything else I've driven.

+1 Redline MT-90. My transmission was like yours, shifts better cold than hot. That's a sign that the oil is too thin.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with how manual transmissions actually operate internally (no idea what your background is), but if you want to get the most out of your worn gearbox with bad synchros, and prolong a rebuild, learn to rev match. There are some decent videos of YouTube on how to pull it off. Some old truck videos from Eaton have neat cutaway diagrams that helped me understand what's happening inside.

highmileage

Have you tried double-clutching?.. This may help with the hard shift.
Salad has a good tip on the rev matching, It happens between 2200 and 1700 revs as those are the points "I" can shift w/o using the clutch(your feel may be different)
Also check your pedal where the clutch master rod connects, this point has a habit of wearing or breaking so that you are not getting full depress of the clutch disk.