Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard shift 6 speed

[WHITE06]

Having trouble shifting into 2nd gear only, not a clutch problem shifts all other gears ok including reverse, stoped or rolling very hard to shift.

 

[Wiredawg]

How many miles on it? Could be a bad synchronizer. My 02 starts shifting hard into 1st and reverse at 30K miles on the transmission oil.



Wiredawg

 

[WHITE06]

The truck has 116556 miles on it, tranmission oil was changed at 90,000 miles and has not pulled much since then, has the cooler at pto cover,and overdrive spliter.

 

[FLynes]

Mine was rebuilt at 94,000 miles. It's still a son of a dog to shift sometimes, though. I think it's just the nature of the beast. If you check out the past posts on this, you'll find a bunch on it. Good luck.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Mine has issues once in a while shifting into 2nd from a stop. If it won't go I place it in 3rd then back into 2nd and it slides right in. It will be like that for a couple of says then go away for a few months. Strange.

 

[FLynes]

The one thing I have found to make it stop acting stupid is to double clutch. Not exactly ideal, but it does work. My biggest problem is 2nd to 3rd upshift and 5th to 4th downshift from time to time. It's not an everyday occurring problem, but I do notice it every now and then, especially when I'm shifting in a hurry.

 

[V-Metalworx]

your problem is probably a worn syncro ring I rebuilt my 5600 about a year ago and the desine of the rings is pretty poor It is getting really bad to get parts for these trannys so take care of it so hard shifting is just the nature of the beast if you look up 5600 on the threads you'll find all kinds of info about differ'nt oils and such I recomend running only the factory mopar synth oil but I did add a quart of lucas oil stabilizer to my transmission someone on here tried it and said it helped mine shifted hard after being rebuilt and the lucas helped it still shifts a little hard if you try to rush it just remeber its a big truck not a sports car I have a hard time with that one cause they run so good

 

[FLynes]

Like I said, mine was rebuilt about 11,000 miles ago, so my parts are new. I think that these trannies just shift hard sometimes. I always thought the NV5600's were bullettproof too.....

 

[ILIANBG]

I have tried the OEM fluid from the dealer, AMSOIL and now Pennzoil Synchromesh. I like the last one the best. The transmission shifts much easier with it. I was actually surprised. Only first is some times hard to shift into, but that's really rare. Most of my driving is in the city, so a lot of stop and go, traffic... lots of shifting. I would recommend trying the Synchromesh.

Ilian

 

[FLynes]

Do you guys actually use 1st gear, when you're not towing??? I've tried, and I'm in it for 1/2 sec before shifting into 2nd. Normally, I just start off in 2nd, which is what the dealer recommended.

 

[ILIANBG]

I use it. Even when I'm empty. Almost always I carry some weight in the bed. In the beginning I was also starting in second. Starting in first, even for a such a short amount of time, I think is easier on the clutch and on the transmission. It is just enough to make the truck move from a stand still.

I have not had any issues since I started using it. It was also recommended by Southbend clutch in one of the older issues of TDR mag.

Ilian

 

[chazj]

I use a first gear launch about 50% of the time as when in a parking lot or heavy traffic. Otherwise I use second gear with a very slight increase in RPM's to help get the truck going.

 

[GCroyle]

Testing

WHITE06



I am not certain if you have tried this or not.



Vehicle stopped, engine running, release clutch (push to floor) count to 3, then select 2nd, note conditions, able to select, not able, grinding etc. Select neutral, engage (pedal up) clutch, release clutch and repeat spin down and gear selection for all remaining gears, truck never moves, just test ability to select gears after a normal brief spindown.



If it is gear specific, think about transmission problems. If it is hard to select any gear from a standing start, think clutch issues, failure to release.