G56 Poll

[RVTRKN]

Their has been some posts pertaining to the G56 Manual transmission failures, mostly due to the DMF. (dual mass flywheel) Although I agree that a DMF is not one of Dodges better decisions, and I personally don't like it, but there has not been a lot failures posted on this site that I'm aware of. So I started this poll to see if their is any validity to the DMF failures, as well as the G56 as a whole. I own one and it has been flawless, but I only have 25K on the truck. So what say ye, out their in TDR land?

 

[Andersonville]

FYI: If frequently towing heavy,get the trans fluid level checked at least monthly by a COMPETENT shop. SOmebody put grease in my G56!! Dodge dealer caught it while replacing the output shaft seal on my G56. I wont use that shop again. I reach down and feel the shift boot and vary my speed towing based on how hot it feels. The G56 gets very noisy the lower the fluid level gets. (It was 2 qts low once) and became hard to shift into reverse and 1st. Good luck. FYI:329K on my G56

 

[CSkal]

I have about 86K on mine with the original clutch and DMF. No problems for me, but I don't really haul anything heavy. Heaviest thing I run is a ton of wood pellets in the bed every so often.

 

[jgillott]

Exactly 26K on my 2007 and so far, no failures with the trans. But, I absolutely hate the way this thing shifts.

 

[EDankievitch]

Over 86,000 miles only thing that has happened is it will slip out of reverse while backing down a hill. Aside from that it has been the best gear box I have ever owned.

 

[RScaletti]

Clutch failed

Around 12-14k miles. Dealer put in a new clutch kit (under warranty) and 9 days later I had my truck back. Currently, I have 30k and have not noticed any slipping. I am nervous to get on it when towing on hills, though.



My truck is bone stock and I don't tow heavy. The clutch is just a piece of garbage and should never have been used on this truck. Why do you think the power output on manual trucks was de-rated??? It's one thing if you abuse it, or add a tuner, but stock no way. Next truck will have the 68RFE. :-laf

 

[AHarris]

12,000 miles and zero problems with mine so far. I wish someone made a short shift kit for it, though. Shift nice, but I wouldn't mind a little shorter throws.

 

[OBayer]

No failures with the trans but it sure shifts tough, 5th gear half the time has a little extra harshness going in and when cold out it's hard to downshift to 2nd.

Running Amsoil ATF right now.



16,000 miles



Would like to get a short shift kit if one ever becomes available.

 

[MRFost]

53k miles and shifts like a wet dream. Well, except when it's smackin' cold out, and then it's stiff as expected. Get it warm and it's a fine shifting transmission. I sure would like to swap for the latest G56 with the higher overdrive, though. I haven't seen where I can get one to swap in yet (keeping my eyes peeled). I've towed 7k lbs twice with mine, so it has never been loaded to design capacity.

 

[CKelley1]

in changing things on our trucks for better fuel milage it added about 300 ft lb torque and the clutch would slip under load got tired of watching it and ordered a kit from south bend that has a solid flywheel disk pressure plate and hydraulics now happy and have a dmf boat anker to boot

 

[AHarris]

For those who have moved on to the South Bend or other aftermarket clutches, how does it drive? I've heard the clutch pedal is a lot stiffer with the aftermarket clutches.



If mine ever gives out I might be giving South Bend a call, after I'll have heard about the stock DMF and clutch. Wonder how much all costs?

 

[hwebster]

Just had the whole unit ( DMF, Pressure Plate... )replaced @29K miles. . Not happy. I SHOULD have look at an after market but by the time I thought about it, the new unit was already in.

 

[CKelley1]

the south bend comes with new hydraulics, feels about the same as stock. parts and freight was about $1200 the pilot bearing is a sealed ball bearing, best set up i have seen

 

[burnin oil]

I have 2 G56 transmissions. I have only put 400 miles on the 08 so far. Shifts great although the gears are a little to far spaced for my liking in comparison to the other truck. Clutch is smooth engauging.

My 95 12v got a used G56 probably 10k miles ago. So far only light hauling of maybe 4k pounds but it was a hot rod. The older ratio trans really lets you keep in the meat of the power band. Combine the short OD with 3. 55s and it is like having a 3. 92 ratio with the new trans gear. Intown MPG is up +1-1. 5 MPG. When doing the conversion I installed a South Bend OFE(3rd gen clutch). Holds every bit on my modded 12v. It rattles at idle and takes some getting used to as it grabs fast!!! Once you figure out to barely accelerate as coming of the clutch pedal she is smooth as silk. Pedal preasure is about the same as stock on this truck. When the truck is wore out this transmission is going into my 04. 5. I am totally happy with it.

As a side thought. Dont forget people complained about breaking NV5600's, weak input and bad OD NV4500s, splitting the cases on Getrags, and we wont even mention the autos. I believe they are like everything else. Take care of it and she will last a long service life.

 

[EDankievitch]

I had used the AMSOIL for a bit found that the transmission was harder to shift seemed like the thinner oil did not allow the syncro's to do their thing. I switched back to MOPAR +4 like the book says and except for whe it's real cold it shifts nice and smooth...

 

[jmorse]

My clutch failed @ 2300 miles. The dealer replaced the flywheel,PPA,Disc, bearings and all hardware. All part numbers were superseded, so Dodge must have changed something. I currently have a little over 25000 miles and have had no issues. The transmission shifts fine. I have no complaints. I tow about 85-90 percent of the time with varying loads from 4000-12000 lbs. . Truck is stock.

 

[RVTRKN]

The DMF failures at 8. 33% is a little high, but what I'm finding alarming is the amount of clutch failures being reported. Question for the members reporting the failures, was there a determination as to the cause?

 

[WOT]

Need a new category:

Transmission OK & no failures - replace Clutch due to BOMBS

 

[Andersonville]

Amember! The 6th gear is OD. Shift down to 5th if you are gonna get on it towing up a hill. I drop mine to 5th and about 55mph towing big heavy 5th wheels up hills. The Ferds and Chebbies blow past me. About half way up I pass them! At 55mph!

 

[richnedbal]

G56 feedback

I upgraded to the South Bend clutch (MU G56 Con OFE) which comes with a new flywheel. The clutch is great although the new throwout bearing was bad and had to be replaced because it made noise. The G56 was always hard to get into 1st and reverse and it still is.