Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6 speed 3rd shift TSB

[BT]

Took my rig into the dealer today to have him put a nut on the heater hose bracket that had vibrated off. Also had him check the 3rd gear shift since it has been "catchy" to shift into, especially when cold. Wasn't that bad, but I wanted to get it on the service record (19K miles, 2001. 5). He called me back and said he wanted to schedule it for a fix, mentioned there was a TSB out on the hard shifting. The repair involves replacement of the countershaft (?) and a look at anything else that may be wrong. Takes about a week. Also will replace the transfer case seal on the output housing, there is some residue but not fresh.



I searched but did not find a TSB on the shift-fix. Does anyone know about this TSB? Has anyone had this repair done yet, and does it help a lot? Is this fix what is now a standard improvement on the new 6 speeds (a buddy of mine drove one of the new 2003's and said he though it was a different transmission it shifted so much better than his 2001)?



I wondering if I should have them replace the throwout bearing while they have it out of the truck, or could talk them into putting one of the kevlar bushings in in its place. Any thoughts on this? I cringe to think of these guys pulling the transmission off and doing this, but might as well get it over with while I have time left on the warranty.....

 

[Scrappy]

trans. TSB

I had it done to mine and so far I can't tell if There is any improvement. They replaced the whole countershaft so I have to break it in all over again. I don't think that it is any better though.

 

[mopars1]

I had the complete countershaft installed in mine almost two years ago. No more third gear grind. It shifts as easy with no more catches or grinds.

 

[mbrolin]

Ive had this problem with my 6 spd since new. 3rd is rough when cold but shifts like butter when warm. Nice to hear that DC acknowledged a problem when cold. My trucks been to the dealer because of this but it was considered normal at the time. With more than 36k on my 01 Im out of warranty and the TSB will not apply.

 

[Pit Bull]

I have the 7/70 warranty on my drive train. It is a little notchy going into 3rd first thing in the morning when it is below freezing, no problem after driven a few miles. Only have 7K miles on it now so I think I will wait a few years and see if it gets better or worse. I hate to have someone work on something that might not be broken and make things worse.

 

[Billy Diesel]

Michael Brolin:



Depending on your dealer, if it is documented that you had this problem under warranty, they may preform the TSB out of warranty. However, it *should* be covered under the powertrain warrany (70K or 100K miles).



It's worth a try anyway... ...

 

[mbrolin]

Once your out of warranty expires prior poblems do not mean a thing to DC. I have about 15-17k miles towing my 5er with a GCVW of 19k with no problems. I can live with the gear grind when cold. Unless you purchase the extended warranty,I didnt,the only thing covered with the 5yr/100k mile warranty is the engine. Besides,Im like Pit Bull,better off working on it yourself. I dont feel this will shorten the transmission life just a nusance.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Michael Brolin



the only thing covered with the 5yr/100k mile warranty is the engine.

Michael, I know that it depends on when you bought your truck what kind of drive train warranty you end up with. They all have the 5/100K on the engine and then Dodge had the 3/36K on the vehicle. Then for awhile they added a ?/100K to the drive train. When I bought mine they had changed it again to 5/100K for the engine 7/70K for the drive train and 3/36K for the vehicle. I figure that by 50-60K miles I should know if the transmission needs to be looked at under warranty. Like you said if it ain't broken don't let them screw it up and try and fix it. :{

 

[rspinks]

Here's some info.



6spd grind TSB thread