Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6-spd. 3rd gear grinding

[Wyomingcowboy]

Can I please get a part # or a label name or something of the royal purple synchoromesh for the nv5600? I called o'reily's today and asked if they had the synchromesh in 5w-30 instock and they had 5w-30 motor oil, non-synchromesh. And they had heavier weights of gear oil in royal purple but no light weight oil that was branded synchromesh.



Thanks.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Actually, I think I'll go with the OEM stuff. I just priced Royal Purple and they want $9. 75/qt. I am sure it's great stuff but I simply cannot afford that right now. Especially not at $120 for a product I may or may not find an improvement in.



Could I get a part # and possible location as to where I can buy the OEM stuff?

 

[RSimmons]

The OEM stuff I just got at the local stealership was 21 bucks per quart... . That was through a buddy who gets a discount... . walkins pay a bit over 25.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Maybe pennzoil synchromesh then. Priced it at less than $7/qt. Now if I can just find a full case of it... .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The OEM stuff I just got at the local stealership was 21 bucks per quart... . That was through a buddy who gets a discount... . walkins pay a bit over 25.

I just bought 2 quarts at the dealership in Bend - quoted $16 a quart - but gave me a break, and paid $13 a quart...

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Royal Purple

- Max Gear xxwxx is for the rear end
- ATF is for auto trannys
- Motor oil xxwxx is for, well, you get the idea...

Synchromesh. Make them look it up in a catalog that has pages, not on the computer. If they can't find it have them call someone who knows more than they do. I just ordered a case of it two weeks ago.

And yep, Mopar is proud of their stuff. And it is synthetic, BTW.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Well guys, I still have not begun the job of changing the transmission oil but it's on the slate for this afternoon. I searched and searched and found 11 qts. of pennzoil synchromesh. (I searched every store in two towns that carry oil of any kind and only found 11 qts!)

I was wondering about perhaps just replacing what I remove from the transmission? I guess at 11-12 qts. and having the leaking occur you are adding more than you remove everytime you change the oil... . Still trying to wrap my mind around around the extra amount and also being quite timid as this is my main get around vehicle and I will need to commute 30 mi+ everyday and cannot afford to lose a transmission in terms of down time, or money... .

I guess I'll let you know how it goes!



I'm also gonna add the LSD additive while I'm at it.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Wycowboy,

Way to go!

Is your transmission leaking? You mentioned "having the leaking occur". If by that you are referring to the leaking I had that is why I suggested 11 qts instead of the 12 I put in. Once the level of the fluid is such it doesn't come out the rear seal (and 11 qts should be real close to start with) you will not lose any more fluid unless you have a leak somewhere else. The reason I added the extra qts was to eliminate problems from a known design defect and should make the transmission actually last longer.

Let us know what you do and the results.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Ok fellas,



I got my shift lever and all accompanying console, boots etc out. (much bigger job than I thought THAT would be... ) Anyways, I added all 11 qts. and the 4 oz bottle of LSD additive and still had room to add more. I went ahead and put the shifter back in place and siliconed it down but have not driven it yet. (i decided to go ahead and and clean up console from all the coffee and crap that spilled on it, and the weather changed on me, AND my busted pelvis started aching a little. )



ANYWAYS, I will put the rest of it back together tomorrow and see how it goes.



Blacksheep: should I have topped the transmission off? I have no idea how long I would have to wait as I already cleaned out 2 counties of all the synchromesh I could find!

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

WyBoy,

Nope, you did just perfect. 12 qts is too much, 11 should be about right. You may get a little bit to leak out the rear seal but I don't think it will be much. Even though there is more room in the transmission to put fluid at 12 qts you are at the bottom of the main shaft bearing and it will come out the seal if you pour more in. You are the new guinea pig and need to post your experience with 11 qts. After you go up and down a few hills (mountains for you) let us know if any fluid comes out the rear seal and gets thrown over on the exhaust to create a unique order, nothing bad, just different. That way we will know if 11 qts is perfect or not. I am changing my fluid in 8,000 miles (prolly next month) to Royal Purple Synchromesh and am going to put 11 qts in also.

Hope your pelvis let you move like Elvis before too long!!!!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

haha! elvis the pelvis... . I have actually used that phrase myself many times this past month. I am glad to be a new guinea pig... . i'll do some drivin tomorrow... . not much but I'll watch for any leakage.

 

[FLynes]

Trent, I'm gonna disagree with you on this one.



I spoke with a guy at Blumenthal's in April, and he said that, given that the NV5600 takes about 5 qts, filling it to 7 qts is plenty to lubricate that bearing... 11 qts is a useless waste of money. I don't know about you, but I can find better ways to spend $26 (the price of 4 bottles of Pennzoil Syncromesh).



When I changed mine out (twice while I owned the truck), I was forced to fill it up through the shifter; the fill hole started dripping oil, as I was adding the fourth quart. I added the Mopar LSD and did notice a difference for the first 10,000 miles or so.



I've read that overfilling can cause the oil to foam/froth, which negates its lubricity. Wyocowboy, I would drain out four qts, just to be safe.



My $. 02

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Trent, I'm gonna disagree with you on this one.



I spoke with a guy at Blumenthal's in April, and he said that, given that the NV5600 takes about 5 qts, filling it to 7 qts is plenty to lubricate that bearing... 11 qts is a useless waste of money. I don't know about you, but I can find better ways to spend $26 (the price of 4 bottles of Pennzoil Syncromesh).



When I changed mine out (twice while I owned the truck), I was forced to fill it up through the shifter; the fill hole started dripping oil, as I was adding the fourth quart. I added the Mopar LSD and did notice a difference for the first 10,000 miles or so.



I've read that overfilling can cause the oil to foam/froth, which negates its lubricity. Wyocowboy, I would drain out four qts, just to be safe.



My $. 02

Interesting - especially coming from Blumenthals, maybe the 7. 5 quarts I'm running with the FastCooler and filter setup isn't far from "ideal"... :-laf

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Well, for better or for worse I have all 11 qts. in there still. I drove it today for awhile and noticed a change in shifting. I was able to avoid the 3rd gear grind maybe half the time but when it did grind it was not as bad. Some of the other gears actually seemed to shift harder..... I guess I'll keep driving it and see what happens. No noticable leaking on the exhaust yet

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Fred,

Who did you talk with? I'd like to know so when I call back next month with my 100,000 mile report while running 12 qts (or somewhat less) I can find out if all the guys there are all saying the same thing.

BTW, did Blumenthal's tell you that when the rear main bearing goes out while under warranty they will not warranty it? They did tell me I have full warranty while running 12 qts but I'll bet if my main bearing goes out it will be my nickel.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

What exactly is Blumenthal's anyway?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Blumenthal's is a transmission rebuilding company. They specialize in finding fixes for bad transmission designs, mainly manual trannys. Located in Oklahoma City, they are the rebuilder for Dodge.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[FLynes]

Trent,



I wish I could remember the guy's name (I want to say Doug), but I got thrown from my stud colt at the end of May, which broke ribs, vertebrae and caused severe internal bruising of the kidneys, pancreas and spleen... I've been living on Vicodin and Flexeril since, and my memory is foggy at best.



When the intermediate shaft bearing on the input shaft went out on mine, the local Dodge dealer rebuilt it in-house. It took three weeks, but I never had another problem with it. IIRC, you and I had a discussion some time ago about this, and I remember us talking about Blumenthal's on another thread, which is what prompted me to call them with some questions I had, fluid capacity being one of them.



I wasn't trying to challenge you or call you a liar... if the Blumenthal's is telling two people two different things, then it leads me to believe that some of their employees aren't knowledgeable in their profession. I will agree with you that if your main bearing goes, it'll be on your nickel.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WELL, my own concerns as to radical increase in transmission lube level, is related to the input/output shaft seals ability to avoid leakage - leakage into the bellhousing and onto the clutch could be expen$ive.



As far as concerns related to lube foaming, shucks it's not likely to foam much different with 8 quarts than it does with 4 - all the added level does, is put the inevitable foam up closer to the vent and potential leakage to the outside until the level gets low enough to stop leaking...



I'll chance a small amount of vent/foam leakage, if the added lube is likely to enhance transmission life - but that's also why I'll approach adding more lube carefully and slowly - no need to mess up the garage floor and underside of the truck at $13 a quart for the lube... :-laf

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I did a fair amount more driving today and had a little more luck. If I shift at 2200 and let the engine slow to an idle first, third gear goes in smooth. That is the only way. Shifting at any sort of engine speed or from 4th down to 3rd still grinds.



It's still the only gear that does grind... .