1999 Jeep Wrangler - Clutch pedal feels soft. Does not feel like it is fully disengaging when pressed. Hard to get into any gear when Jeep is not moving.

I assume that means that the clutch does not engage/disengage when you press and release the pedal. There are a number of possible issues here. First, does the pedal feel "soft"? Is it easier to press down that usual? If so, the problem may likely be in the hydraulics of the clutch. A bad master or slave cylinder will not allow hydraulic pressure necessary to engage/disengage the clutch.
If the pedal feels normal, then the problem is most likely internal to the clutch mechanism. A bad release bearing or a stripped clutch disc are the most likely culprits for this issue.

if it has a hydraulic clutch ,the problem is a failing clutch slave cylinder not holding pressure
the leak is probably from the slave cylinder
the indications are that the clutch pressure plate is not properly clearing the clutch plate and the drag is causing the problems

check to see how far down the clutch pedal goes before you start to feel the clutch it shooed
be at least 1/2 way down if its not disengaging it will feel like you are forcing the shifter into
every gear the cause the clutch is still turning and by you pushing on the shifter it forces the
clutch to stop . i feel you ether need a new clutch. or you are in need of a clutch adjustment.

hope this helps you
good luck
bob

sounds like your clutch is not disengaging. when you press on the clutch pedal you should feel the resistance of the clutch pressure plate. There is a pilot bearing in the flywheel when it goes bad it continues to turn the transmission mainshaft not allowing your gears to line up for a shift, but you have noticed a bad noise if this were the cause. Or your clutch hydraulics have gone out. check your fluid level. if low you may have sucked some air into your system. you will have to bleed the lines as you would for car brakes. The other possibilities are bad clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder,

Just like you would bleed brakes. Fill the reservior with brake fluid, open the bleeder screw and have a friend press the clutch pedal in. Close the bleeder screw and let up on the clutch. Do that until the clutch pedal has a good feel. Be sure to check the reservoir frequently as they don't hold much fluid and if you let it get low you'll **** more air into the system.

If the clutch is not completely disengaging the input is spinning too fast and makes gear engagement difficult...eventually it will damage the synchros in the transmission. If the clutch is soft likely it is bypassing inside the master cylinder or the slave is leaking. Bleeding may help short term but problem will quickly re-appear. Yours may have a combination slave and throwout bearing in which case trans needs to be removed to service it. If it's not on the outside of the bellhousing then it is inside.(combo)

this sounds like the clutch slave is goin out, this unit is on the outside of the transmission. Possibly losing pressure!! Your transmission does not use transmission fluid, but instead gear oil. Have the following checked:
1. Clutch Slave (possibly worn)-this will cause soft or hard clutch pedal feel, slipping clutch, unintended clutch release, hard gear engagement, no/insufficient clutch movement.

*2. Clutch pedal Mounting Plate (possibly cracked)-this will cause improper gear engagement, hard gear engagement, soft pedal feel, insufficient clutch movement.

*this plate is located above the clutch pedal itself, apply pressure on the pedal with one hand while inspecting the plate for fatigue cracks(use a bright flashlight). This is very common on these models. This problem will eventually get worst and most mechanics never figure this out.

more questions email me at [email protected]!!

I will bet it grinds when you try to engage first or reverse. When this happened on my car, I adjusted the clutch and it improved. You need about a half inch of free play when you first touch the pedal with your foot. If you have a slave cylinder, (hydraulic clutch). You may need to bleed the system. With air in the system, you can't get enough clutch to fully disengage the trans from the motor.(Clutch and pressure plate) It's like you only pushed down half way on the pedal. If it's not hydraulic, it should be adjusted with wrenches. If clutch is fine, It could be a loose shift linkage. It would seem extra sloppy when moving shifter, It would just not go in gear, with out the grinding.Hope this helps. lbreen

If you have a hydraulic clutch, it is conceivable that the fluid has leaked out. For areas of leakage check up under the dash where the clutch master comes through the firewall., or check down at the transmission at the clutch slave, which is the small cylinder on the transmission. You should also fill the reservoir immediately as well.

If yours is the adjustable type of clutch, then you need to have it ajusted immediately

If you would like to contact me again about this or other problems, feel free to do so.
Bill
ASE Master Technician

There is a bearing that presses on flat springs of the clutch plate and slides back and forth on a hollow tube when you press the pedal. These can get fouled with road crud and then hang now and then when you press the pedal and perhaps not fully disengage the clutch as it should producing either a stiff action or even worse, the gnashing of gear teeth. Some bell housings have inspection plates that can provide enough access to use some cleaner/lubricant on the hollow shaft on which the 'throwout' bearing must slide.