Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6-SPD Hard to get into gear?

[Big P]

Does anybody else with the six speed have a hard time getting the truck into gear occasionaly? At stop lights I usually keep the truck in neutral with the clutch pedal out. So, sometimes under this condition when I step on the clutch to put it in 2nd it won't go in unless I let the pedal out again, rev the motor a bit, and then it will slip into gear. BTW my transmission dosn't grind when this happens. My guess is that keeping the trans in neutral for a length of time, the gears stop spinning so the syncros can't do their job. Am I right? Does anyone else have a similar problem?

 

[WOT]

Had the same problem - I hope yours doesn't end up like mine (eventually had a bearing failure).



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34630

 

[Riflesmith]

I think these transmissions do not like to be rushed. I idle in neutral with the clutch engaged at stop lights like you do. I have found that if you get in a hurry and try to jam it into second gear after depressing the clutch pedal, it won't go. No grinding, it just won't go. If, on the other hand, I apply gentle, slow pressure it slides right in. You may want to try that and see if it works on yours.

 

[Dane]

I agree with Riflesmith. The 6 speed weighs 400 lbs, and has beefy componants. Also, changing the transmission oil after 10K miles on mine made a big difference. With 25K on the truck now, my 6 speed shifts very smooth and easy. It will never be a "gear banger" though... Try bliping the throttle a bit when it's been sitting in neutral with the clutch in and ease it into gear. This will help the syncros do their job. All sticks shift easier when the transmission RPM matches the engine RPM.

 

[rspinks]

Mines the same, I don't worry about it anymore because it's getting better with miles (10,500) and it's a big cool beast of a transmission that IMO can be forgiven a few minor annoyances . That said it's getting autumn here now and pretty soon I'll be doing the 4th gear grind on cold mornings again I'm sure . That bugs me more than the 2nd gear engagement thing.

 

[WadePatton]

ANYTIME a transmission balks at a gear selection, I fiddle with the clutch and try some other gates. Often I can start the shifter into another gear, then slip it into the originally chosen gear without a problem. Like on my old truck, you have to put it in "2" and then "R" to prevent a grind.



I've pulled this trick on other trucks where the owner ALWAYS ground on "R". Slipped right in.



Works on tractors, trucks, whatever. Seems to help the syncros line up.



Also, although my 5600 is still filled with OEM lube, I've found that synthetic gear oils really help on cold days in other applications.

 

[Big P]

Wade and Dane, what you guys have suggested is pretty much what I do to get around the problem. Thanks for the replies, atleast I know I'm not the only one.

 

[rspinks]

I'd like to try a good synthetic 5-30 as a replacement. Don't know if DC will like - will synthetic fall within their spec?

 

[redram]

email me privately and I will send you Royal Purple's Synchromax to try at no charge.

This is a fully synthetic product that will improve the shift quality and also improve the transmission life.

 

[tom sweeney]

i talked to the design engineer of the 6speed at the nat'l. rally about that problem... his reply was that 1st and 2nd gears ore on an aux. shaft,and that shifting into 3rd quickly and then into 1st or second will let the aux. shaft spin up a bit ... i assume this enables the synchros to do their job easier!!!!



i have since been doing just that,. . and it does indeed work... give it a shot!!!... good luck... . tom

 

[raiste]

Every once in a while mine would grind when I tried to put it in 1st. I have never had it grind going into 2nd. After a few grinds trying to put it into 1st, I have started shifting it into 2nd, then into 1st. No more grinds.



I also shift it into 2nd before going to Reverse to help the shift.

 

[rspinks]

redram, thanks for the offer and sent you an email.

 

[CRegal]

Yeah mine sucks... . I think its getting worse..... since I replaced the clutch... 2nd gear is a real pain in the a$$... ... What do you guys recomend for transmission fluid?? I havent replaced mine yet & I am nearing 30k in 1 year... .

 

[PRout]

I believe the "hard to get in gear at a stop" problem is is normal. My friend's does the same thing as well as mine. Especially when new, it was stiff & you had to put it in gear while it was slightly rolling, otherwise you had to try the next gear higher just to roll it slightly, then you could get it in 1st, or 2nd (whatever you use to start off in).



At almost 80k, my transmission shifts really nice now, it took about 50k miles to loosen up, but still occasionally, you have to slightly roll it to get in gear. No big when you get used to it. Mine never grinds either, except when its really cold, and get the notorious 3rd gear grab maybe once before it warms up, but its never been a problem. Its a good shifting transmission now, except for racing.

 

[Weidner]

6 speed reverse

48k and I have a grind going into reverse. I was thinking I have played too much with my comp and its time for a South Bend. I have slipped the clutch on 5*5, but only once that I recall. But it sounds like other 6 speeds might grind a little going into reverse? If I go into 5th then R no grind... what do you think?

 

[KHaeckler]

6 spd problems

My truck only has 15K but I have fighting the NV5600 since the day I bought it. I've had it checked a few times at the dealer and they just say that it's normal or they couldn't duplicate the problem. Well, I think my patience has paid off because the dealer checked it out again yesterday and they ordered me a brand new transmission



Most of my problems centered around the 3rd and 4th gear grinds. It would almost always go into gear at a stop light.



I hope the new one works better! I take back every negative word I ever said about my dealer!!! Oh yeah, the service manager said my mods were no big deal to him (he bombed his own CTD!).



Karl

 

[WadePatton]

That's Fantastic Karl. It's just a crying shame that more service managers aren't driving BOMBmobile CTD's. Be careful though, he might get jealous if you get smokier, louder, or faster than him.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Virtually every manual transmission I've ever owned has done that - including the Mazda 323 5-speed my wife drives now - It's just that the shift gates can't possibly be in perfect alignment with the forks and shaft detents inside the gearbox at all times - a virtual impossibility! SOooo, there's always one or more possible gear selections that will likely resist you - and the MORE gears (speeds) the box has , the more frequent the problem... Now, a *1* speed wouldn't do that... .

 

[KHaeckler]

6 spd

Gary,

I agree with you to some extent but no one should have to shave off a half pound of metal trying to get into 4th gear! If U ever drove mine, you'd know what I'm saying



Automatic??? NEVER !!!







Soon to be grindless,



Karl