04 TJ Clutch or Slave Cylinder went yesterday

[XJOutsider]

I have an 04 Sahara my dd with the 4.0L and the NV3500 5 speed Trans. I know it is not a XJ but really need help.On the way to the store yesterday I started feeling a vibration in the clutch pedal When depressing it to shift. So I turned off the Radio to listen. With the clutch pushed in the there was a funny clanging rattling noise. A little further down the Road the Trans did not want to shift into Gear well. On the way home form the store the jeep continued the same symptoms. I crossed the last stop sign on the way to my house and the clanging got worse and you could smell something burning. I pulled over and crawled under the jeep and there was smoke coming out of the bottom of the bell housing where the trans connected to the bell housing. I managed to get the jeep Stated again. I waited till no traffic was coming and then eased the trans into second Gear very carefully. I got it into gear with out Grinding and limped it the 5 miles to the house. This was my last choice I call 6 Towing companies and got no one I was angry.

Now I need to figure out wither it is the clutch or the clutch slave cylinder so I can get parts and fix it.
Let me know your thoughts
Thanks
James

 

[winterbeater]

It seems to me that something like your clutch friction disc is coming apart. Slave cylinder usually just stops working or leaks. At any rate, you have to take it apart and see.