Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 4500 go boom

[AdamH]

A few hours ago while "merging" I lost use of transmission. (5spd. nv4500 std. ) About a second after shifting to 5th I got a slight bump, then no more go. I figured the 5th gear nut had done its thing. I felt pretty sick when I down shifted to 4th and still did not have anything. Coasted to a safe spot, put it in 3rd, pulled about 5 feet then quit. I'm in Houston, about 100 miles from home on a work assignment, my truck is busted, and I have 35' 5th wheel to pull back home. I'm guessing my transmission is fried. Am I right? I just changed the clutch recently so I have a good idea as to what is involved in pulling this monster out. If I'm going into the transmission, what upgrades should I consider while it's apart? There is a dragstrip about 15 miles from my house, and I race another truck there regularly and this dodge was scheduled to go there as soon as they open for the spring so... . Anyway it's a 4wd 2500 nv4500, edge juice, stage 3 injectors, big exhaust and much more planned in the future.
Adam

 

[KLockliear]

Well, get it to a trans shop and then call Standard Transmission for the 5th gear mainshaft and nut upgrade. They are just down the road in Fort Worth. 800-783-8726

 

[AdamH]

Keith,

I have been under the impression that only 5th gear is affected when the nut falls off. Have I been confused all this time?

Adam

 

[DCreed]

sounds like you broke the input shaft.

 

[AdamH]

Yep,
Joe at Standard Transmission is of the same opinion. About $700 to do it myself or $1650 exchange plus shipping. I wonder how soon this would have happened if it weren't for the mods.
Adam

 

[NIsaacs]

What did you install for a new clutch? Kinda sounds like the center hub let go.





"NICK"

 

[AdamH]

That crossed my mind, but I don't think I could get it to move occasionally by playing with the shifter, also there is a grinding coming from the trans. while in gear and clutch released. I used a no name clutch from the local clutch shop in Beaumont Tx, they had yet to rebuild a clutch for these trucks because they had never got their hands on a core. I will probably upgrade the clutch when I pull the transmission, maybe to a twin disc.

 

[Slim's Ram]

A guy that works with me had his truck do the same thing about 2 miles from work, I pulled him to the shop with my Ford work truck (i know I'm sorry guys). Pulled his transmission and the springs around the clutch had flew apart. His truck lost all gears including reverse, and would only go in gear with truck off. He also had harsh rattle while idling in neutrel. Just a Thought

 

[AdamH]

Slim,
I'll definitely pull it down before I order any parts just to make sure. Thanks for the input.

 

[tippytoes]

also there is a grinding coming from the trans. while in gear and clutch released.

Adam,



what do you sttribute to the grinding? i have the same prob in my truck, NV 4500 as well, i notice it the most if i take off (not moving) in 2nd. clutch realeased and thereis grinding, floor board in front of the shifter, and it will only last until the RPMs kick up a bit. once going no mroe prob.



except this morning... i noticed that it made a faint grind sound as mashed the accelerator down in 5th merging on the freeway. it was slightly uphill and gave it a good go.



anyhoo, just wondering what your thoughts were since you seem to have the same prob. i know i need to do a clutch soon, it's slips under a load, but not sure if this is a transmission or clutch/hub/bearing or something random like that under there.



thanks!



t

 

[AdamH]

Sorry to resurect this old thread, but thought I would update. I just tore my transmission out yesterday, clutch is broke, no transmission problems. The center hub on the clutch plate had plastic retainers which broke. I don't think I'll be using that clutch brand again.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Thanks for the follow up.



Dan

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Adam,

I highly recommend SBC. I had an OFE put in last year and this year I busted the center hub. Called Peter at SBC and he told me they quit buying clutches and started building their own super heavy duty disc. No more worries!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[OldRetiredAFGuy]

Trent

What does "SBC" stand for?

Thanks

Mike

 

[KLockliear]

South Bend Clutch



Personally, I don't know why they push the OFE so much. Must be because of all the whiners - "it's too jerky". WAAAHHH. You want 500hp and for it to drive like stock?



Put an FE in it if it makes more than 350rwhp. Yeah, it will shudder a little. But it will hold a lot of power. HeberRam made over 700RWHP with one back in the day. My 01 has had an FE since 03... and 100k.

 

[aircop]

Try backing a fth wheel up with the con FE. If you do alot of towing thats not the clutch for you. Talk to Peter at SBC, He will set you up.

 

[KLockliear]

Try backing a fth wheel up with the con FE. If you do alot of towing thats not the clutch for you. Talk to Peter at SBC, He will set you up.

That is why my truck has 4LO. No problem backing my 10k boat UP the rock sideyard.

 

[AdamH]

Thanks guys, I called up Joe at standard transmission in Dallas. He set me up with the towing clutch from SBC. I went ahead and got the transmission upgrade too. I'm getting too familiar with pulling this thing out. (I've got the trans pullout down to 45 minutes. ) I really don't want to get any better at it! I ordered the stuff Thursday afternoon as soon as I found someone with phone service after Hurricane Ike destroyed most everything around here. They shipped it out Monday morning and it was sitting on our dock before noon, Monday! I'll be installing it Friday night, hopefully. See you at the track!:-laf