I live in Alaska so driving in crazy cold temperatures happens 8 months out of the year. I've noticed my 2nd gear likes grind a bit(more so when the engine is cold). None of the other gears grind at all, but 2nd seems to give some resistance. Is 2nd gear just tore up? Any ideas?

 

The consensus seems to be that this is normal. I am getting the 2nd gear crunch when temperatures are below 40F as well - but only when I shift from 1st to 2nd gear, never when downshifting.

What helps a little bit is when you shift from 1st to 2nd, pull out of the 1st and let the lever go into neutral position then pull it to the left again and down into the 2nd gear. Apparently this gives the transmission more time to synch when the temperatures are low. Some people say it also helps to use synthetic oil for the transmission. Makes sense as this problem seems to be temperature sensitive and a synthetic oil might perform better at lower temperatures.

Here are some interesting threads:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...crunch-149507/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...-grind-269116/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...d-gear-208831/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...s-rough-21419/
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...r-issue-50434/

 

I live in anchorage, and it happens to all of jeep guys here also.. Most people i know just start out in 2nd when it's a cold day here

 

I've been letting it sit in neutral for a second and then pulling to the left, seems to work. Also changed over to synthetic oil and that seemed to make it smoother. Should I worry about the gear being worn down? Thanks for the help!