First Jeep -- 2001 Wrangler sport, purchased used from dealer in 2005 with 32,000 miles. Except for minor repairs, lots of good times putting the next 90,000 miles on, mostly superslab driving cross-country and gravel backroads to get home -- no rock climbing or abuse. Now, problems. Noise on exceleration (thought it was muffler). Not the muffler -- just replaced. Mechanic -- not a jeep guy but a great mechanic -- changed the tranny fluid first time last week (with 80w140 gear oil). Found brass particles in old fluid. Thinks noise problem is in tranny. He doesn't do transmissions. Took to tranny specialist (don't know him but recommended) who says it's the pilot bearing. Wants $700 to replace clutch (including parts). Says he can probably just polish pilot bearing but if not, another $400 to pull tranny and check shaft for damage. He doesn't rule out some tranny wear (and possible sync problems) but wants to do clutch first. My mechanic says there's no way the brass could get into the tranny fluid if it's the clutch. Another guy (jeeper) says it might be from the shifter. Need some more advice before proceed. Not hard on clutches or transmissions. Driven manual (preferred) for many years and have a straight six F-150 5-speed stick with 230,000 miles on it. Still strong. Never rebuilt -- engine or tranny. Don't think it's me.