Nissan Repair: Shifting, shift problem, valve body

Question
I have a 98 nissan sx ser automatic. When my car shifts into 2nd. gear it shifts hard sometimes if its hot outside it will chirp. Can you tell me if this is normal for this car or do you forsee problems with the transmission. It has always done this since I purchased it used. Thanks

Answer
Jodi,

First I would check the engine motor mounts.  The back one is the main suspect when the trans seems to hit that hard in second.  If the replacement of soft or broken engine mounds do not do the trick I would go to the second option.

Second, if you have not changed the fluid ever on the transmission I would be hesitant since the fluid change could take the transmission out all together.  I am sure since it is a 98 you probably have something like 100K miles on the car.  But, if you have change the fluid every 25K miles I would go with a fluid change first.  Then, if that does not correct the hard shift problem you will be looking at a valve body replacement.  Actually it would be the second gear servo that would be getting replaced.