Still Shifts hard

Greenwenie · 06-23-2003, 10:57 PM

Hi, new to the forum, have learned alot about TJ's since I have been reading the posts. My 99 Sport , 4.0, 5-speed, Dana 44, 3.73's has had all the classic problems: Guages quit, exhaust man. broke, fixed under warrenty, radiator leaked, no warrenty, and hard to shift first to second. I followed my manual stating use GL5 trans. fluid. I drove it approx. 1100 miles with GL5 Vavoline and it shifted very hard 1-2. I now have the Mopar fluid {GL-3}and it still shifts hard. What to do now? Is there any class action suits against Chrysler concerning the wrong info. in the owner's man.? I love my Wrangler but it's scary Chrysler building the famous Jeep.

Owen · 06-24-2003, 07:22 AM

Do you have a stock setup? Do you have a Transfer Case Drop? This could make shifting into second really hard. Sounds like you have had some bad luck with the TJ...Sorry to here that

Sandibar · 06-24-2003, 10:52 AM

I also have some difficulty shifting from 1st to 2nd, especially when it's cold (97 Sport, stock). After 15 minutes of driving or so it becomes nearly as smooth as the other gear transitions.

I've done some searching in the forums and it appears that good synthetic (Pennzoil Synchromesh in specific) seemed to make a noticeable difference in solving this problem. I'm going to have this done today or tomorrow, provided I can locate the right oil.

If anyone else has ideas or recommendations that would be great!

Owen · 06-24-2003, 11:11 AM

yeah it also could be the inner shift boot or the upper one binding...I use penzoil synchromesh and it is good. It is in no way a cureall though...I would take the outer boot off and see if you can see if anything is binding up. A body lift and or a TC drop will also make it worse.

Greenwenie · 06-24-2003, 11:26 AM

Thanks for the responses. I do have a 1 in. body lift, but it was just 3 months, 700 miles ago. Everything else is stock except 10.50X31 tires. It shifted good until I changed the fluid. It does get better as I drive and the trans. warms up. The boot(s) do not seem to be binding. Guess I will live with it, I have 4 other gears to play with.

Owen · 06-24-2003, 11:38 AM

Do you have a MML as well? If not I guanrantee that this is the major cause of the issue...Some people have solved the problem with short throw shifters, bending the stock shifter, or grinding the tub.

06-24-2003, 07:22 AM	#2
Owen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,829 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Do you have a stock setup? Do you have a Transfer Case Drop? This could make shifting into second really hard. Sounds like you have had some bad luck with the TJ...Sorry to here that __________________ Smuggler Re-Born.....

06-24-2003, 10:52 AM	#3
Sandibar Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 208 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I feel your pain I also have some difficulty shifting from 1st to 2nd, especially when it's cold (97 Sport, stock). After 15 minutes of driving or so it becomes nearly as smooth as the other gear transitions. I've done some searching in the forums and it appears that good synthetic (Pennzoil Synchromesh in specific) seemed to make a noticeable difference in solving this problem. I'm going to have this done today or tomorrow, provided I can locate the right oil. If anyone else has ideas or recommendations that would be great!

06-24-2003, 11:11 AM	#4
Owen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,829 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	yeah it also could be the inner shift boot or the upper one binding...I use penzoil synchromesh and it is good. It is in no way a cureall though...I would take the outer boot off and see if you can see if anything is binding up. A body lift and or a TC drop will also make it worse. __________________ Smuggler Re-Born.....

06-24-2003, 11:38 AM	#6
Owen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,829 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Do you have a MML as well? If not I guanrantee that this is the major cause of the issue...Some people have solved the problem with short throw shifters, bending the stock shifter, or grinding the tub. __________________ Smuggler Re-Born.....

06-24-2003, 11:26 AM	#5
Greenwenie Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 15 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for the responses. I do have a 1 in. body lift, but it was just 3 months, 700 miles ago. Everything else is stock except 10.50X31 tires. It shifted good until I changed the fluid. It does get better as I drive and the trans. warms up. The boot(s) do not seem to be binding. Guess I will live with it, I have 4 other gears to play with.