I can't get my 97 TJ into gear unless I turn it off and shift. It's the same problem driving down the road, except people are yelling at me. If I have it in gear when I start up, I creep forward. Yep, all this starting happening after I swapped in a new CenterForce clutch and flywheel. I'm sure the new clutch is not the problem, so I'm wondering where my replacing/rebuilding procedures went astray. I know there are plently of reasons that could cause these symptoms, so I'll try to narrow them down for you guys who are smarter than me. I've replace the master/slave cylinder, throw-out bearing. I used a clutch alignment tool for the install. I've bled the system more time than I can count.

So, what wisdom can you guys offer. Thanks in advance for the help.

Did you have the flywheel machined? Some companies sell the flywheels to where they need it done. But what your facing is having a lot of friction on the clutch, just keep adjusting it until it goes away or mildy wear it out. Thats the only thing I can think of unless it was an improper install but its pretty basic so I'm throwing that idea out. I've heard the center force clutches are really tight though. Try contacting them through their website and see what their FAQ's are, or email them.

im guessing you have an ax15 tranny.. my jeep was doing that and finally simply wouldnt go into gear at all. id turn it off and put it in gear.. also when i had the clutch in it would still pull. it was a #$#$ up pilot bearing. now assuming that you did your clutch correctly, get down there and check your tranny fluid. if you got a ton of metal in your oil, your tranny is kapoot. start saving for the nsg 370 6 spd... you have to use a new clutch and bell housing,but the tranny is beef cake.. that or go with a nv3550 but they shift a lil weird.. i hear the newer nsg 370 is a user friendly nv4500 and its a bolt on.

Unicycle...Yep, I had the flywheel machined. But, I didn't change the pilot bearing. Yea, I've got the AX15 tranny (aka boat anchor). It was working fine till I swapped in the centerforce. So, I've got to think that I screwed something up on the swapout. I'll check the tranny fluid tonight. I guess I could have put the throwout bearing in backwards (stupid me), but the tranny worked for a couple days after the swap. A friend mentioned adjusting the clutch peddle. I didn't see a way to do that though. Any more thoughts before I tear this bad jonny apart AGAIN?

If it's still dragging/creeping forward with the clutch in, then it is a clutch problem, not transmission. The new clutch could have different material or different tolerances compared to the original or, you did like you said and installed something backwards/wrong. If the tranny is loaded by the clutch at all it is designed to stay in the gear it is in (or out of gear) until either the load is released by pushing the clutch in or the rpm of the engine and drivetrain are somewhat matched. This allows the gears to mesh. Also if the hydraulic lines, master or slave cylinder have air in them you could have this problem. There is no adjustment on the clutch but, if there is air in the system it might not disengage the plates far enough. I would start with a good bleeding of the system first since it is free and relatively easy to do. Make sure to check the obvious too...like is there enough fluid in the master cylinder...any moisture/leaks from any fitting. Then move onto the harder stuff.

out of curiosity, WHY THE HELL DIDNT YOU DO EVERYTHING PROPERLY when you did a clutch job? when i put in my centerforce II clutch i had my flywheel resurfaced (against all the e-mechanics out there) and had it balaced(one of the best things you can do while its down. made a HUGE difference in vib go-aways). that pilot bearing is SO easy to replace and it will give you SO much hassle if its old and tired esp with your 97! also sounds like you didnt line up your clutch with your clutch tool to well.... there will be no air in your system, you have a closed system. if its bad its shot, not kinda bad. i dont suspect your trans, its the install of the cluth. i haave the same clutch and although i get a little bit of chatter feel if i take off sometimes with out using the gas pedal, thats only because a normal clutch is designed to slip a lil. a centerforce II doesnt slip, its all bite. pedal feel is stock feel. if you live in so cal i'll be more than happy to help you tear it down and do it again...