shifting in winter

Wild Bill · 12-16-2007, 08:38 AM

My 98 Sahara seems to be getting worse. I mean when it's winter I have a hard time shifting from 1st into 2nd. Some mornings I think the shift lever will bend or break!
It only happens in the winter.
Over the years I have changed the transmission fluid but nothing seems to help.

Double and triple shifting seems to help a lot, but is this normal?
Thanks

daveg13 · 12-16-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

My 98 Sahara seems to be getting worse. I mean when it's winter I have a hard time shifting from 1st into 2nd. Some mornings I think the shift lever will bend or break!
It only happens in the winter.
Over the years I have changed the transmission fluid but nothing seems to help.

Double and triple shifting seems to help a lot, but is this normal?
Thanks

What kind of fluid are you using?

sahara33's · 12-16-2007, 09:04 AM

I had the same problem. take the boot off and it will help a lot. i made a new leather one out of the newer model tj shifter boots. I still have the problem, but its not horrible and I've just accepted that its a jeep thing.

**TheBoogieman** · 12-16-2007, 09:38 AM

Mine has done the same thing for two years.It gets better after about 10 minutes when everything heats up.I switched to Redline MT-90 which helped somewhat.

alvinl · 12-16-2007, 09:44 AM

Synthetic fluid helped me a little bit, but it was no magic cure. What really helped was when I go my SYE and new drive shaft and was able to take the TC drop off. It got much better after that. Now it might be hard hitting 2nd gear the first time when I start up the Jeep, but it completely goes away now after it warms up.

Wild Bill · 12-16-2007, 10:56 AM

I guess I forgot to say that once it's warmed up there is no problem.
My truck is a standard I don't have this trouble with it?
Thanks

Dogman · 12-16-2007, 11:00 AM

It's common. As mentioned, a synthetic like Redline MT-90 or MTL will help, but when it gets cold out, it's worse.

1CleanTJ · 12-16-2007, 11:15 AM

either pick up a newer TJ leather boot and modify it to fit on your current shifter or pick up some heavy duty glue and pull your shift boot up some (like 3" or so from the top and put a few drops a glue around the shifter boot/shifter shaft and hold it in place till it dries. This will keep the accordian style shifter boot from sliding down like it always does. In the cold the thick rubber accordian boot gets in the way of itself causing hard 1-2 shifts and shifting into reverse

03Wrangler · 12-16-2007, 12:02 PM

on my YJ the Penzoil synchromesh gear oil made it 90% better...

i was also told that if you put the t-case in neutral and put it in gear, it will warm the tranny up much quicker then just idling... It thinks it's driving but the jeep doesnt move...

other than that, it is a jeep thing...

Dogman · 12-16-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03Wrangler

...Penzoil synchromesh gear oil made it 90% better...

He's running an AX-15 in his '98. That would not be the tranny fluid to use. I may be stating the obvious, but many 'o AX-15 users have used the wrong fluid so I think it's worth saying...

UTmike · 12-16-2007, 02:03 PM

Here's a good write up on the problem and what I did to fix it
http://www.dailydriventj.com/newshifter.shtml

12-16-2007, 10:56 AM	#6
Wild Bill Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Langton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 89 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I guess I forgot to say that once it's warmed up there is no problem. My truck is a standard I don't have this trouble with it? Thanks __________________ Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.