Noise! Transmission?

[cerberusiam]

Nope, this is family business with my truck and horse trailer. Long story but need to take a horse and household stuff to sister-in-law.



Besides, long weekend with the wife and seeing a few sites is worthwhile since I am leaving for a week without her in June.



Its a little out of the way but not seriously so. I can jump up and grab the 4 lane into Birmingham and be right on track. I just get to see a little more of the country. I assume Alt 45 north from Meridian is a good road.



I am helping my son move from South Dakota to OKC area in June. He wants to drive straight thru but I think we need to see some sites. Gonna make him stop at Carhenge in Nebraska and Monument Rocks in Kansas so I can show grandkids cool things.

 

[DVolk]

Id look on car part and see what you can find wether if its a Allison or a stock replacement , Id think a good low mile take out Allison could be had cheaper than a $5, 000 rebuild or maybe a NV5600 swap ???????

 

[tugboatphil]

Gonna make him stop at Carhenge in Nebraska and Monument Rocks in Kansas so I can show grandkids cool things.

Bad Dog,

if you're ever near the 77/81 split near Wytheville, Virginia, you should bring them by to see my own art project, Thronehenge!

 

[cerberusiam]

Bad Dog,



if you're ever near the 77/81 split near Wytheville, Virginia, you should bring them by to see my own art project, Thronehenge!

LMAO, your on tugger! :-laf I have grandkids in Norfolk I will be getting up to see some time this summer, just not sure when with all the trips I have to do.



I will try to work in swinging over there.

 

[cerberusiam]

Id look on car part and see what you can find wether if its a Allison or a stock replacement , Id think a good low mile take out Allison could be had cheaper than a $5, 000 rebuild or maybe a NV5600 swap ???????

Good luck findng a good low mileage 518, I think that critter is extinct.



A stock Ally would work with the lower power VE engines but thats a job. New engine adapter, flex plate, trans mount, linkage manufacturing and wiring.



Then the biggy, an Ally is all computer controlled. One needs a PCS controller and the program to run it. All told its over $2000 just to get the parts to swap the trans in then you gotta get the transmission.



I figured out sourcing a transmission and all the parts with rebuilding the Ally to hold 350-400 hp was very likely going to $8-10k and a bunch of work to fit it in and get it buttoned up correctly.



Not something you want to do without a pile of $$, a shop, and time.

 

[JMDancoe]

Got another question. Is there a designator series of numbers on the 518 that will identify it as a 518 OD unit. If not, if I get the serial number, I should be able to identify it that way, correct? The reason I ask is, I found someone who has what he says is a "new" auto trans for a 1993 D-250 with the diesel. I will be calling him tomorrow.



Jim

 

[cerberusiam]

About the only thing that is on the trans IIRC is a part number that Dodge can lookup what it should be. An auto transmission for a 93 Dodge diesel truck will be a 518, or 46RH by the true designation, they did not install any other autos but that in them.

 

[JMDancoe]

Okay, however, I am assuming by stating it is a "new" trans, it has never been installed. I won't know that until I contact him tomorrow. I will try to have him give me the serial / IIRC number. Then contact my local Dodge dealer and see if they can tell me just what it is. I take it you are refering to the number on the side of the pan rail.



Jim

 

[DVolk]

Cerberusiam, Is this Drew that is moveing or anouther son ? I have not talked to him in awhile . I was hoepeing he stumbled upon asome pump parts some time , but never heard from him .

 

[MMiller]

Does your truck have a carrier bearing? Try squirting some penetrating oil into the carrier bearing and drive the truck. If the noise goes away spend $50 first. I had one on a second gen that howled like crazy and the owner was told it needed pinion bearings for $1000. Fixed the noise for a lot less.



I'm not saying its not the trans, but its easier to check a carrier bearing, if you have one. I hope you can make it to my place next month.



Michael

 

[JMDancoe]

Mike, I am still planning to be there, at this point. No, I do not have a carrier bearing. I also forgot to mention that I had the drive shaft out and checked pinion bearing for slack. It's tight and no metal inside it either. However, this is why I said "barring any major problems, I'd be there". Bad luck is a way of life for me. No biggy, just a statement of fact. I may come in on a wrecker, but who knows. #@$%! :-laf

 

[JMDancoe]

Something else I am wondering. Is there any type of additional lubricant out there that can be added to trans fluid to possibly quiet the noise. It isn't that bad, but it would help me to be sure it is a noisey transmission. I am pretty sure it is, but would be just another tool to diagnose the problem. I have located what is claimed to be a "new" transmission for it, but not cheap for a guy on S/S.

Also, yesterday, I read on one of the many Dodge/Chrysler sites I have been checking out, that the OD units have a problem with poor lubrication and that the "beefed up" units have the oil passages drilled oversized. Would this indicate that it is the OD planetary that is the noisey one?

I don't suppose that there is anything like a "remote sensing" electronic stethoscope out there in the tool world? So a guy could attach the sensor to a part and have the listening device in the vehicle? Dreaming, I know. Some sort of "spy" bug!

 

[JMDancoe]

cereberusiam: Any chance you might be home the latter part of this week? I could drive over and you could listen to it.

 

[cerberusiam]

I take it you are refering to the number on the side of the pan rail.



Jim

Yes. That is the part # and a good parts man should be able to reference it. Exactly what info they can find on it is questionable though. It might just be a general description.

 

[cerberusiam]

Cerberusiam, Is this Drew that is moveing or anouther son ?

Yes, he was RIF'ed out of the Navy last summer. Budget cuts and force reduction caught him with no place to go. He is working for an oil field services company in Oklahoma. Moved his family to South Dakota for the school year and now we are moving them to OK.



Things got pretty crazy for him and he never had a chance to get back to you last year.

cereberusiam: Any chance you might be home the latter part of this week? I could drive over and you could listen to it.

Yes, I will be here until I leave for Shreveport on the 26th. Would be more than happy to swing by on my way back and see if I can be of help. Would probably be stopping by on the 27th of this month. It is up to you.



These transmissions are not as critical on fluid as the newer ones. It is possible to run a mixture of hydraulic oil and 10 wt engine oil in them and it will work just fine. Not sure of the mix ratio or what effect it would have on existing seals and clutches though. The engine oil will sometimes cushion and quiet the gear noise and the hydro fluid is as good as ATF.



IIRC, Dave Goerend is the one that suggested that mix at one time. If they can be reached a quick phone call might get you a little more info.

 

[JMDancoe]

Just for general information, does anyone know where the 518 transmissions were built?

Maybe Mexico?

 

[cerberusiam]

Most of the Dodge autos have been built at the Kokomo plant. Pretty sure it was built here in the US.

 

[JMDancoe]

Ok, was just curious. I wonder if someone in Mexico bought the rights to build them. It has to do with the one "new" one I found. Turns out he may have more than one. He is located in Laredo, Tx. Waiting to hear from him about cost to ship here. He seemed fairly knowledgeable about them. He even warned me that the TC's are hard to find, until I told him I have one and then he wanted to know if it was a lockup type or non lockup. He said they buy bulk groups.

 

[JMDancoe]

cereberusiam: Called Goerend and was told that Dave is pretty much not taking calls anymore, but the gal I talked to had Greig call me back and he seems to think it may be a roller bearing in the OD unit. He suggested putting it up on Jack stands and running it and trying to see just where the noise is. So I guess that is what is next.



Jim

 

[DVolk]

Is Drews number the same , if he finds any of those pump heads were hes at let me know ill send him my pump