Outback transmission shifting hard

I have a 2000 Outback wagon with 106,000 miles on it. I had a 90k tuneup in April 2008 and I had the timing belt and water pump replaced as well as the camshaft seal, crankshaft seal, pwr steering belt, alternator belt and AC belt replaced at a different shop in December 2008 at 105,000 miles.

I have noticed since the timing belt work was done that when the car is cold that the AT shifts hard from 1st to 2nd gear but seems to shift normally from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. Once the car is warm and even if it is turned off for a short while and started again the problem does not appear.

Is this issue related to the 90k tuneup or timing belt work recently done or something totally different?

Thanks.

my $0.02 is your tranny shifting "problem" is totally unrelated to the mechanic work you described.

my 1997 Outback with AT shifts the same way you described (hard from 1st to 2nd) and has for the tens of thousands of miles i have owned it. my bro in law owns a 1996 and his shifts the same way, so it seems the hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear is normal in '96 and '97s with ATs.

regardless, when i first bought my '97, i changed the tranny fluid and added a high-dollar conditioner just in case. i recommend you do the same.

cheers