Can I prevent 5th gear nut problem

[BigMike]

I keep reading about the 5th Gear Nut problem, but being of non-mechanical mentality, I haven't totally sorted out the issue. My question is: Is there anything I can do right now to prevent the problem or minimize the seriousness when it occurs?



Thanks for all your help!

 

[FCrawford]

Mine made it to about 135,000 before going out. I pull heavy loads for a living. I was told to make sure and keep the rpms up and drop back to 4th gear. There are other post on this subject. I never get below 1800 rpm in 5th gear now. My new rebuilt transmission has a longer splined section on the 5th gear shaft and should be a good fix for the problem. There was a real good article on this in the TDR a few months back. A company in Fort Worth, TX builds this transmission and I got mine from Bluemental's here in Oklahoma City who supplies the parts for the company in Fort Worth (or so I was told). There are numerous posts about other means of fixing the nut. Have about 35,000 on the new unit.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Keep your RPM up in 5th. It is the "hammering" from the engine firing pulses that loosen the nut. This is from what I have read about the problem and was confirmed by a DC mechanic. I agree that 1800 or above is best in 5th.