Symptoms
A sloppy or heavy clutch, trouble finding first, or linkage that falls apart. On Jeep-CJ.com, members say the plastic bushings wear out, and that the pivots can break once the motor mounts go.
The fix, step by step
- Check the motor mounts first, because a sagging engine stresses the bellcrank pivots.
- Unhook the linkage, remove the bellcrank and replace worn bushings and ball studs, or the whole bellcrank.
- One forum fix replaces the worn bushing with a ground-to-fit solid rod, with bolts welded into drilled ends as pivots.
- Grease everything and readjust free play.
- Some owners switch to a hydraulic clutch when engine torque keeps pushing the linkage out of the throwout lever.
Tools & part numbers
- Wrenches
- grease
- new bushings or bellcrank
- motor mounts if worn
Where to buy the parts
Crown 941232 clutch bellcrank, 1966–71 CJ-5/CJ-6 with V6Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗
CJ clutch bellcranks and bushings (all years)Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Crown engine mount, 1966–71 CJ-5/CJ-6 V6Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗
CJ OEM-replacement motor mountsQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Jeep CJ-5 parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.