G56 fluid level

[Mark.Smith]

I just did a search on checking the fluid levels in the G56 trans. I have about 3500 on the clock and I am going to drive to the east coast and back with 24' enclosed car trailer and I want to check all the fluids before I start out. I have read that there is about a quart extra above the fill hole of the G56. If this is the case, how would you check the fluid level without losing the additional fluid? Does anyone know if DC fixed the overfilling problems on the differentials between 2004 and 2005? Any help would be appriciated.

 

[REndres]

I would also like to know.

 

[Chaw]

I changed the fluid in mine 10K ago. With the truck sitting level, fluid poured out of the fill plug. I jacked up the right side until no fluid came out (2 2x4's under the right front and rear tires)



I refilled the same way.

 

[jandr]

I changed the fluid in mine 10K ago. With the truck sitting level, fluid poured out of the fill plug. I jacked up the right side until no fluid came out (2 2x4's under the right front and rear tires)



I refilled the same way.

I don't have a truck with this transmission but am seriously considering getting one. What type of fluid does it use and what brand did you use. Anyone use Lucas or any additives in these trannies or is that a no no. I have a friend who is a big rig pusher and he told me when he added Lucas, his transmission temps dropped. He owns his own trucking company so I know he wouldn't take a chance on reducing life span.

 

[TowPro]

Wonder if they fixed the fill plug level for the 06 versions?

 

[amsoilman]

What type of fluid does it use and what brand did you use. [QUOTE]

The G-56 transmission calls for ATF+4.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[jandr]

What type of fluid does it use and what brand did you use. [QUOTE]

The G-56 transmission calls for ATF+4.



Wayne

amsoilman

Really, thats it? No synthetics? Does Amsoil have anything for them? How about the NV5600, what did it use? The last manual trans I messed with used gear oil... ... ..... that was a long time ago.

 

[amsoilman]

Really, thats it? No synthetics? Does Amsoil have anything for them? How about the NV5600, what did it use? The last manual trans I messed with used gear oil... ... ..... that was a long time ago.

The G-56 requires the ATF+4 which is considered a synthetic, altho it is a hydroprocessed mineral oil” (a Group III base stock). The Amsoil ATF+4 is a Group IV base stock.

The NV-5600 uses a 5W-30 fluid, which is considered a GL-1 lube. In the Amsoil brand, it is called (MTF) Manual Transmission Fluid.



Hope this helps,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[jandr]

The G-56 requires the ATF+4 which is considered a synthetic, altho it is a hydroprocessed mineral oil” (a Group III base stock). The Amsoil ATF+4 is a Group IV base stock.

The NV-5600 uses a 5W-30 fluid, which is considered a GL-1 lube. In the Amsoil brand, it is called (MTF) Manual Transmission Fluid.



Hope this helps,



Wayne

amsoilman

Thanks for the response. It does help. I am assuming then that the "Group IV base stock" is better and therefore would be better in the G56? Is it a true synthetic then? I'm sorry for the stupid questions but I don't have any knowledge of the inner workings of these oils. Would the Amsoil ATF+4 give better lubrication and less wear? I guess I could go to Amsoils site and snoop around.

I have another question for you since you are knowledgable about this. My current truck has a 47RE trans. It called for ATF+3. I have always used Valvoline ATF+3 at regular intervals. I asked the dealer once if the AFT+4 could be put in that transmission since they stopped carrying +3 after +4 came out. They said yes and the +4 would mix ok with any left over +3 in there. Is this right and would the +4 be better for the transmission? If so, I have a local Amsoil dealer here.

 

[amsoilman]

Thanks for the response. It does help. I am assuming then that the "Group IV base stock" is better and therefore would be better in the G56? Is it a true synthetic then? I'm sorry for the stupid questions but I don't have any knowledge of the inner workings of these oils. Would the Amsoil ATF+4 give better lubrication and less wear? I guess I could go to Amsoils site and snoop around.

I have another question for you since you are knowledgable about this. My current truck has a 47RE trans. It called for ATF+3. I have always used Valvoline ATF+3 at regular intervals. I asked the dealer once if the AFT+4 could be put in that transmission since they stopped carrying +3 after +4 came out. They said yes and the +4 would mix ok with any left over +3 in there. Is this right and would the +4 be better for the transmission? If so, I have a local Amsoil dealer here.

Is a Group IV synthetic a true synthetic? Yes it is. Can ATF+4 be used in a +3 application? Yes, it most certainly can, as your dealer stated. The Amsoil ATF has a Chrysler performance specification of ATF+ thru ATF+4.



Hope this helps,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Trent]

So how full should it officially be and what did you use to get the fluid in there a pump?

 

[amsoilman]

So how full should it officially be and what did you use to get the fluid in there a pump?

I would fill it until the fluid starts running out the fill hole located on the passenger side of the transmission. You can purchase small hand pumps at your local parts stores, or you can buy one from Amsoil that screw on to the bottles, which are very inexpensive.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[TowPro]

correct me if I am wrong, but when this trans first came out they put them on hold because they found they did not hold enough fluid. I thought they added a quart from above which would have filled it up past the fill hole? That is what I was wondering when I asked if they moved the fill hole for the 06 versions.

I would fill it until the fluid starts running out the fill hole located on the passenger side of the transmission. You can purchase small hand pumps at your local parts stores, or you can buy one from Amsoil that screw on to the bottles, which are very inexpensive.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[67guzzler]

Nope -- That won't cut it. There's an issue with the 2005's and the G56's. The hole is too low on the side of the transmission. They were burning up transmission's before they realized that another quart was necessary from the top where the shifter enters the housing. There's a TSB on it.

I would fill it until the fluid starts running out the fill hole located on the passenger side of the transmission. You can purchase small hand pumps at your local parts stores, or you can buy one from Amsoil that screw on to the bottles, which are very inexpensive.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[amsoilman]

Nope -- That won't cut it. There's an issue with the 2005's and the G56's. The hole is too low on the side of the transmission. They were burning up transmission's before they realized that another quart was necessary from the top where the shifter enters the housing. There's a TSB on it.

As I understand, the original issue with the G-56 transmission had to do with the "original" fill at the Transmission Factory. It seems there was not enough fluid being installed at that time. After they discovered the problem, there has not been any issues. The Fill hole is located on the passenger side of the transmission, and it is still in its original spot. It was never moved!



I may be wrong, but that is what I have been told by a very good source.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[67guzzler]

Nope -- There is a TSB that actually tells the dealers how to add the extra quart through the top of the transmission. Simply filling up to the hole on 05's won't cut it. I read the TSB at the dealer myself when I took delivery.



Ask your source about the TSB for early 05's with G-56's and what it says for the dealer to do. It specifically mentions adding an additional quart through the shift tower.

As I understand, the original issue with the G-56 transmission had to do with the "original" fill at the Transmission Factory. It seems there was not enough fluid being installed at that time. After they discovered the problem, there has not been any issues. The Fill hole is located on the passenger side of the transmission, and it is still in its original spot. It was never moved!



I may be wrong, but that is what I have been told by a very good source.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Fast 1]

Normally the fill plugs on the nv4500 nv5600 trans are about an inch below the top of the pto cover. This makes adding an extra quart of oil to the trans really easy with a fastcooler hint hint.



What is the fill plug height on the G56 compared to the cover. Did they really put it to low for some reason. How does the G56 compare to the placements on the nv4500 / nv5600



Verlyn

Fast Coolers

 

[tsi_2baad4u]

Just so I understand this right since I own an early G56 model, is this TSB in print somewhere? When checking the TSB site http://dodgeram.info/tsb/index.html there is no mention of any TSB for 2004-2005-2006 on transmission fluid level or anything for a G56 transmission.



When I ordered my truck it was during the hold on production. A guy I knew at the dealer said the problem was a batch of bad bearings. Since the G56's that had problems seemed to happen with less than 1000miles (some less than 500miles) in my opinion there is no way simply being 1qt low will cause that unless you hooked up to 20,000lbs at 5miles and towed continuously until it broke. The shop manual says the G56 holds 12pts, it seems very hard to believe that simply being 16% low on fluid will cause catastophic failure in less than 1000mi.

 

[67guzzler]

Rather than trusting me OR debating it, just go to the dealer and ask them if there was a TSB or emergency bulletin about adding 1 quart through the shift tower on early G-56 units to avoid catastrophic failure. Don't trust me. Find out for yourself!

 

[Rob_r]

Because I do as much of my own maintenance as possible, I am very interested to find out what the "official" word is on the fluid level of these G56 trannys. With all of the posts I have seen about low fluid level, I have not seen any reference to a factory TSB or other bulletin on the subject.



Before I change the fluid in my trans, I will go to a couple of dealer service departments and inquire about any irregularities with the fluid level.



I am particulary sensitive to this question because my 1st G56 bought the farm at 400 miles. I was never given any reason for the failure.



Robert