Hard Shifting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler and 2015 Jeep Wrangler. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hard shifting is usually caused by low lubricant level, improper or contaminated lubricants. This will cause noise, excessive wear, internal bind, and hard shifting. Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear, shift rail, synchro, and bearing damage. The first indications of component damage is usually hard shifting and noise.

Shift component damage, clutch adjustment, worn pressure plate or disc are also causes of increased shift effort. If clutch problem is advanced, gear clash during shifts can result. Worn or damaged synchronizer rings can cause gear clash when shifting into any forward gear. In some new or rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most cases, this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.