Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6 speed shifts hard

[TMcLachlan]

while driving home todoy i went to shift into 6th gear and it would not go shift back in to 5th farely hard but went in now i can shift in to any gear but goes in farely hard any ideas

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Try changing the fluid. It's always the first place to start.

 

[TMcLachlan]

thanks for the input already tried that

 

[jlhartak]

Clutch dragging? How does it shift with the motor shut off and the clutch pushed in? On the old 4spds with non-sychro 1st and reverse it was easy to tell when the clutch was dragging, not so easy with the new all sychro (even reverse) tranmissions.

 

[TMcLachlan]

seems to shift fine with engine off now can't shift at all with engine running have to kill engine put in a gear and start it will move so started looking over hydralic system found some the master cylinder is a little wet under the dash so trying a new master and slave cylinder system will keep you posted



2001 2500 6 speed high output 4inch turbo back, westach fuel pressure

 

[Joe Mc]

Based on what you mentioned - shifts ok when not running, hard to shift when running, and now it won't shift when running = slave / master was my guess.

 

[JPulliam]

This happened to a buddy of mine. New South Bend hydraulics cured his problem. Of course, all you really would need is a new stock set.

 

[TMcLachlan]

well installed new master and slave cylinder today still not fixed but can at least shift it now but still shifts hard now im hearing a squealing sound, so now looks like i'll be dropping my trans to inspect the throw out bearing and clutch parts, i'll you posted thanks for all your input

 

[GCroyle]

I'll place a bet on the pilot bearing this time.

 

[JPulliam]

I would bet on the pilot bearing if it squeals all the time. If it only squeals with the clutch pushed in, then it would be the throwout bearing.

 

[Chief USA]

thanks for the input already tried that

When you change the oil, add and extra 2 pints over and above the oil level with it gets even with the fill/check plug hole. My wife's truck (2001 HO) transmission shifted very "stiff and knotchy". After I overfilled the gearbox by 2 pints the shifting slowly but very gradually got MUCH better. It now shifts very smooth. Not perfect but MUCH improved. Overfilling the gearbox provides much better lubrication and cooling to the #5 shaft bearing in addition to providing better lubrication overall. I refilled the transmission gearbox with Pennzoil Synchromesh.

 

[AABEN]

Like CHIEF USA said sounds like you are low on oil in the transmission.

 

[TMcLachlan]

well the transmission is out and its the pilot bearing and throw out bearing are shot, the clutch plate wasnt to far from being wore into the rivetts and the pressure plate fingers were wore unevenly probably due to the pilot bearing being totaly shot nothing left thanks for your suggestion CHIEF USA and blackbear on the oil ill be sure to add the 2 pints extra before i reinstall my transmission

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Year and miles on the truck?



SHG

 

[TMcLachlan]

the truck is 01 with 174000 miles on it, does anyone have any preference to oil in transmission should i stick to mopar or is there a better alternative with mopar being 20$ a quart

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I hear great things about amsoil, and royal purple, and yada yada. I am going to try amsoil this time around because it was $10 cheaper per quart. I would also add 8 qts if I was you. I put in 11 over the summer and that was too much. Blumenthals puts in 8 and based on how much was "breathed" out my breather and all over the under carriage, 8 sounds about right. You will have to fill from the top side. Also try a bottle of mopar LSD additive.

If you use the search feature on here you will find enough good reading to last a lifetime.

 

[JPulliam]

A buddy of mine changed his fluid to Pennzoil Synchromesh, and it was worse than the old stock fluid. Then he tried Redline. It was no better. Then he tried Amsoil. It was no better. Rebuilt the trans, and put Mopar fluid back in it just to keep things safe. I think he paid $16 a quart.

 

[TMcLachlan]

thanks for the input maybe royal purple is a good alternative i use were i work in our bearing boxes on our pumps and its a salt solution plant and it seems to hold up better than any thing else weve ever had here, got the new clutch kit today it come with 2 pilot bearings one brass and one needle bearing why would you ever put a needle bearing in something you cant grease i'm going to put the brass in seeing how the needle bearing i pulled out the first time was shot and the cuase of this in my eyes any way

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

At 120,000 miles I changed out the Mopar stuff Blumenthal's gave me with the 5600 reman because the synchro's weren't synching very well, way too much grindin' goin' on! I refilled with 6 qts of Royal Purple and immediately the shifting was better, but not good. After about 10,000 miles the synchro's were all cleaned out and my shifting is perfect again. To me the Mopar fluid is too thick. Also, I should have changed the fluid at 100,000 miles or less and probably would not have had the shifting problem at all. I think what happens is the fluid gets so much junk in it that it gums up the synchro's.

Royal Purple only for me.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I made mine extra thick on purpose.



Amsoil Gear Oil and Lucas Oil Stabilizer, overfilled it, added Fast Coolers and Drilled the rear case bulkhead.



Going on it's ninth year with no problems, towin' and plowin' and hot roddin'.



I should change it but it's butter smooth. I don't know. Maybe I will to clean it out and clean the magnets and see how the fluid is holding up.