Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard shifting

[RolandJ]

Im having trouble shifting. I have a south bend clutch and i have read and heard some where about the upgrade hydraulic kit and heard that helps fix it . will that fix the problem I hope ? also is it fairly simple to install and anyone know cost. sorry for so many questions.

 

[kenny61]

Have you checked the oil level in your transmission?

 

[RolandJ]

havent checked it in about a month. I dont think its that cuz it was hard then its just getting harder .

 

[hsmith]

Check south bend's site. It's listed there.

 

[RolandJ]

no ones ever had this problem

 

[Bob Cochran]

Have not had a reason to change my clutch yet from OEM. I have used their hydraulics's changing both the master and slave. Without looking I think it was around $350 and well worth the price. A lot more heavy duty and adjustable as well.

 

[RolandJ]

Have not had a reason to change my clutch yet from OEM. I have used their hydraulics's changing both the master and slave. Without looking I think it was around $350 and well worth the price. A lot more heavy duty and adjustable as well.

was the install simple to do?

 

[Bob Cochran]

It was easy much more than a lot of things on the truck. Only problem I had was the clip on the rod to clutch pedal. I messed up the original clip in a major way when taking off. Luckily South Bend sent another one with the master and slave. It takes a little more left leg but you quickly get used to it.

 

[randrade]

hyd upgrade

I recently had to install new hydraulics as the old unit had quite working. The south bend unit went in pretty easy and works like a champ. Mine had started shifting hard and only got worse. wish i had done earlier

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

There are different causes for hard shifting of the NV5600. One can be the hydraulics. Another can be the synchronizers getting gunked up which a fluid change with 6. 5 qts of new oil can help. Also, the pilot bearing can cause problems with shifting. If you have a South Bend flywheel with the upgraded pilot bearing then it is probably NOT the cause.

Changed to Royal Purple Synchro Mesh and my shifting immediately improved and was perfect again in 10,000 miles.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[DLangford]

Is it hard to shift all the time, or just when you are sitting still?

My shifting problem was when I was stopped and trying to get in gear... it turned out that my clutch slave was worn out.

I replaced it and it fixed the problem. However, replacing just the slave is a little tricky and it helps to have two people, I found out.

Chrysler sells a complete clutch master with slave kit where you don't need to bleed, etc. Also South Bend has a heavy duty kit better? than the Chrysler.

 

[RolandJ]

Is it hard to shift all the time, or just when you are sitting still?
My shifting problem was when I was stopped and trying to get in gear... it turned out that my clutch slave was worn out.
I replaced it and it fixed the problem. However, replacing just the slave is a little tricky and it helps to have two people, I found out.
Chrysler sells a complete clutch master with slave kit where you don't need to bleed, etc. Also South Bend has a heavy duty kit better? than the Chrysler.

Mine is hard to shift from a stop. when truck is moving it works as if nothing is wrong . I just dont wanna change parts that dont need to be changed. I was looking into the south bend kit. . :-laf

 

[RolandJ]

Good news. UPS is dropping mine off today. got a project for weekend. besides the little plug is there anthing else to be aware of? Im assuming I can do the install my self?

 

[RolandJ]

I installed it this am. straight forward and know about that plug really helped, took me maybe an hr. when I got done started it up seemed ok then pulled out of garage and it still seems hard do I need to adjust it more? any thoughts

 

[RolandJ]

should I tighten it up more possibly?

 

[Bob Cochran]

I honestly doubt adjusting it again will help as I think you probably done it correct the first time. Now we are down to different transmission oil, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing. A note mine had been a lil hard shifting when cold first then ever since new. When you say hard do you mean grinding or just sorta waht I call notchy like you can feel it snagging a gear before going in?

 

[RolandJ]

I honestly doubt adjusting it again will help as I think you probably done it correct the first time. Now we are down to different transmission oil, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing. A note mine had been a lil hard shifting when cold first then ever since new. When you say hard do you mean grinding or just sorta waht I call notchy like you can feel it snagging a gear before going in?

Should I adjust it in though a lil maybe its out too far? I could try oil. whats a good trans oil and do you know what it holds? Its like hard going in only from a stop

 

[Bob Cochran]

You can try adjusting in a little sure cannot hurt to try. You will get all kinds of answers as to the brand of oil to use. I use Amsoil, but there is Royal Purple(a lot seem to use this also) and if you want closer to OEM Pennsoil Syncromesh can fit that bill. The 5600 holds 9. 5 pints but some have overfilled and from the top by taking of gear shift and boot. Some say this helps I personally worry it will ultimately cause rear transmission seal to leak as I think it is vented at the seal but you can try this anyhow it might help as well. I also read of a few putting rear diff friction fluid for limited slip in the trans I guess makes it more slippery and slid in. Sometimes on mine when cold mostly and does not want go in pull on shifter into 2nd gear and slowly let out clutch and it goes in. I think perhaps this causes the synchro's to help it slid into gear. That is all I can think of at the moment but after it warms up it seems to work better.

The 5600 finicky it seems to identical trucks sitting side by side one will work with a particular trany oil and the other will not as well. Kind of trail and error on which one to use.

I think about time for some others with perhaps more knowledge kick in some more ideas. If this does not work I am afraid we are into throw-out bearing or pilot bear(more likely pilot bearing as all throw-out bearing for me made a racket when bad). Parts cheap labor expensive unless you do yourself.