Another bad 6 speed

[ANCIENT WOOD]

Just got off the phone with a freind who just bought a new HO 6 sp. in Portland OR. He bought the truck off the lot 2 weeks ago and its spent most of that time sitting at the dealership. The problem is it is impossible to shift without grinding the heck out of things. He tried different shifting styles and found that the only way to shift grindless was to let the motor idle down to 1000 rpm before shifting. The service department said he was full of carp until they had it for a while, then called an said that the costomer was right for a change. #ad
They say DC is aware of the problem but doesn't have a fix for it. Does anyone have any info that might help with this problem, The guy is not happy driving a loaner car when he paid the money for a TRUCK. Thanks

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1998. 5 QC 2500 4X4 24 VALVE, INTENSE BLUE, 235-85 MICHELIN, BANKS STINGER,DD Stage1 injectors, BD ebrake, PE-EZ to replace the Banks ottomind box ,5 Sp, 3. 54

 

[joesoot]

Wood, you are scaring the dookie out of me!
I've had my 6spd for a week, and I've ground it once trying to shift into 5th. Does take some getting used to for me though coming from the 5spd truck.
I wish I had something helpful to say other than i've got my fingers crossed for your buddy.

 

[Motorhead]

My Brother bought a 2001. 5 HO 6 spd 4x4 about two months ago. When I was in L. A. to see my folks, he came over and I got to drive it. I was startled when it ground into third gear unless you took it nice and slow. I said to him that this is not normal. Sorry to hear about this problem with the 6 speed. In the 24 years that I have slammed gears in UPS trucks #ad
,when they started to grind alot, they were on their death bed. Chris

 

[ARARAR]

It's probably one of those recall trannys that have been holding up delivery of a lot of trucks at the assembly line. 150 bad transmission from what I've read an some of the other postings about delays on shipments of factory ordered trucks. CHECK IT OUT!

 

[sheepdip]

What did DC do, change the manufacturing of the 6 speed or Jobbers? I got mine in 2000 about July and it seems to work pretty well so far. It hasn't ground once since I've had it.

[This message has been edited by sheepdip (edited 03-03-2001). ]

 

[Kevin Dionne]

I've had mine two weeks short of one year, and I've managed to get a short grind I think twice going into 5th, but I think it was because I had the front edge of the seat up too high, and I was slouched, and I just did'nt push the clutch all the way down. Other than that, she runs like a clock. Wish you luck.

 

[CWade]

Just got my truck back from the dealer for the grinding problem. Only has 880 miles on it and it was grinding bad when downshifting from 6th to 5th. They called DC and were told to change the fluid and to let me know that some grinding was normal when cold. I have a copy of the repair order that makes that statement and 35 months left on my warranty. Will drive it till it either breaks in or breaks.

Not worried,
Charlie Wade

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2001. 5 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel,Reese digital brake controller, Isspro pyro & boost gauges, Snap-On tool box

 

[Pete Peterson]

I had my transmission replaced with about 400 miles on it. Only problem was in the morning when it was cold for the first 12 to 15 miles it would grind on the up shift to 4th, after that it was fine. New transmission is working great with 2000 miles on it. Even if it breaks again I don't want an auto, this shifting thing is just to much fun!!! Pete

 

[Ross 01]

I have A 2001 dualie, 6spd . Took a while to find the shifting slots but have never ground gears. Does take some skill tho. I've raced too so have shifted very fast & never missed but I must watch it close.

 

[Barry]

The only thing mine does that bothers me is: After I have made a hard pull up a mountain pass with a big Fiver behind me, the trannie makes a raspy, grinding sound for about 30 minutes or so of normal driving. Then it goes back to running quiet. It's their trannie to 100K and I'll not keep it that long soooooo... ... ... ... ...

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI)Stage 1 injectors from Carl, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 29,000 Miles on 02/20/01(RV Dealer)

 

[joel]

I went to test drive a 6 speed and it would grind every time going into 3rd unless I either let the engine get all the way down to idle or tried a double clutch (but that more than likely just let the engine slow rather than matched up the 2 parts). Told the salesperson when I gave the keys back. Decided - not for this reason - to keep my 98. 5 'till I can order a PowerWagon.

 

[Koa Man]

I don't know why they can't make a stick shift like Toyota or Nissan does. If any of you drove one of their sticks you know what I'm talking about. Shifts like hot knife thru butter.

[This message has been edited by Koa Man (edited 03-04-2001). ]

 

[TomGolden]

Well, I picked up Godzilla on Sept. 29, 2000 and he just passed 10,000 miles last week. Have never had the slightest transmission grind, or any other problems at all with him. Except that d@rn oil filter being tight as a drum on first oil change.

Tom

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Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, K&N RE-0880 & pre-filter, no silencer ring, TDR decal, Jack holiday antenna ball

NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[Koa Man]

Just an addition to my above post, since I received an email from another member stating in effect, that comparing a Toyota mini truck to the Dodge Ram wasn't really comparing apples to apples. I agree, but this was my email reply. "I am well aware of the fact (big truck+big clutch & gears, more mass=harder shifting)since I have owned several med. duty trucks ranging from 16000 to 27500 GVW. One of these was a 1989 Hino FD, 22500 GVW, which is in fact a "big Toyota", since Hinos are made by Toyota. (Toyota calls their trucks over 10K Hinos, Nissan calls theirs UDs) It had a 6 speed trans with a 410 cu. inch in line 6 diesel. I am sure the clutch on it is bigger than the one on the Dodge, I know the transmission is about one and a half times bigger. That truck shifts extremely smoothly. It shifted better than my '85 Ford F250. You didn't need to double clutch it either. I owned that truck 10 years. Also my F700, 5+2 trans, 27500 GVW,
needed to be double clutched if you wanted a smooth and fast shift. Bottom line is, the
Japanese trucks, at least the ones I have experience with, have better shifting transmissions.

 

[ANCIENT WOOD]

Talked to my friend with the bad 6 speed last night. The dealer just ordered a new one for him. I'll let you know how it works out. The friend says thanks for all the info on the website, it gave him some ammo when he talked to the dealership. #ad

 

[David Wheeler]

ANCIENT WOOD... Glad to hear your friend is getting a new transmission. New 6 speed trannys are a bit tough to get into 3rd when new, but grinding is by no means "normal". Another poster mentioned grinding while going into 5th. I've done this several times when shifting and going a little too far to the right #ad
You learn those tight gear patterns real quick #ad


best of luck to your friend with this new transmission!!

David

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2001 Ram 3500 Quad 4x4, ETH/DEE

"REAL TRUCKS RATTLE!!"

[This message has been edited by David Wheeler (edited 03-06-2001). ]

 

[mopars1]

My 6 speed with 1500 miles on it will grind almost all the time going into third but not downshifting into third. It has ground downshifting into fifth but not upshifting to fifth. It has also ground real bad a couple of times when downshifting into second. It almost acted like the clutch was not depressed. I can't make up my mind yet if it is the transmission or the hydraulic clutch not fully releasing the clutch. I have my seat pushed up way too far to make sure I push the clutch in all the way. I also changed the fluid tonight and the original fluid looks like metal flake. I meen a LOT of metal in the oil. I am going to call the STAR Hotline tomorrow and see if they have any suggestions.

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2001. 5 2500 Sport ETH/DEE, 3. 55 Dana 80, std cab, 4x2, Intense Blue, Agate, all options except leather and keyless entry. Dawson 24ft hauling a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger drag car; 360cid auto; runs 10:00 in 1/4 mile. I wish my truck ran this quick!

 

[mopars1]

I talked to the STAR Hotline this morning and they said there where some changes in the stop ring material and the Germans added some anti-slip material to the inside portion of the stop ring. Evidentley the material is too slick and the stop rings are not getting the gears to the same speed as quickly as they should. They are working on new parts now and they should be out in about a month or two. The rep told me to call back every two weeks or so the see when the parts are avaiable.

 

[mopars1]

Just an update. The STAR center sent a complete assembled counter shaft to put in my 6 speed. The transmission is out and apart at this time. Will not know if the fix is complete for a few more days. They stated there are burs on the counter shaft. They also stated when I asked for a new transmission that I had less than a 1 in 3 chance of getting a good one so I have to rebuild mine. I will try to update soon.

David

 

[Paul Willson]

I also found third really hard to shift into at first but after the first 5000 miles it slowly disapeared. This trany is great may be slower off the line with all the extra shifting when empty, and in the back of your mind wondering why we put up with rowing. Then put a 15000lbs trailer off the back, you then realize what you really have. I love my ETH and will never go back to an auto. There is always a few bad apples in the pile with anything put out.