Archived 1998 2500 clutch and input shaft

[flyboy1]

Hello,



I am a new owner of a slightly used 1998 2wd 2500 with the NV4500 trans. It had been getting really hard to shift until 2 days ago when it would almost no longer shift with the engine running. I began troubleshooting and to make a long story short, there was almost nothing left of my pilot bearing. I bought the truck 2 months ago and it had a LUK clutch put in it about 15,000 miles ago. I've been told that the LUK brand is pretty decent by transmission shops. The clutch plate pieces fell out on the floor when I removed the pressure plate. It almost looked like the clutch failed first, but from what I just read in the lastest issue of the TDR magazine, the pilot bearing is suspect. Those of you that have experienced this know that my input shaft was trashed on the end.



I removed the flywheel and had it resurfaced. I installed a new heavy duty clutch and am trying to figure out what to do about my input shaft. I was able to purchase the input shaft, bearing and seal at a local trans supply house. I want to know how big of a job it is to replace the input shaft myself. I've heard some say that I should look at a rebuild or overhaul. However, my basic problem is that I need a new input shaft installed. The transmission seemed to be strong and operated normal before the clutch came apart. Can I pull the cover off and get to the input shaft and determine if the gears have been damaged on the inside without screwing it up? Or am I going to have to have some special tooling to set a preload on something? Any guidance would be appreciated.



Wes

 

[flyboy1]

I got an answer from the transmission shop this morning. They said that the main shaft was good and that they were going to be able to replace the input with a couple of bearings and send me on my way.



My next question is what type of fluid should I go back with. I have read in the TDR magazine that I should use Castrol Syntorque or use the manufacturer's stuff (21. 75/qt !!!!!). Do I have any other options? I know it's a $1300 to $1500 transmission to replace, but I think it's ridiculous that I do have another gear oil option. Thanks.



Wes

 

[cumminspwr01]

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/nv4500_spec.htm Try this site and choose for yourself. Make sure you read all the way down through from top to bottom. HTH

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

call 1-800-std-tran for Syntorq at a good price. You should replace the pocket bearing that goes inside the input to hold the main shaft, and the flat bearing between the input and main shaft. You need to shim the mainshaft for . 002-. 006" end play. Normally this is done by shims under 5th gear, but you will have to space out the front bearing retainer, or machine some off of it if you don't want to disassemble the trans. This would be a good time for the mainshaft upgrade std trans offers, or you could exchange your trans for one they have built up correctly.



Check the bellhousing with a dial indicator because if it is off center, it will take out the next pilot bearing.