Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) I lost 5th gear again !!!!!!!!!

[cray]

1997 3500 4 x 4... ..... First time I lost 5th gear was August 2001, 30,000 miles later I lose it again. Dealer did the upgrade last year and before I take it back I'd like to get the skinny on what is going wrong... ..... I'm a newbie so take it easy on me.



Thanks,



Christian Ray

 

[TPlasek]

I made a some comments on this a few days ago in the 24V forum... I had the same problem and fixed it myself so I have a good understanding of what is going on...



http://216.235.147.117/forums/showthread.php?threadid=58849



Feel free to ask me questions...

 

[C. Harlan]

Hey, ,mine went out last week... FOR THE 5TH TIME THIS YEAR!!! dont expect to pay more than $300 Max for the fix... the first time, I got taken to the Cleaners, and it was by a place here called GENE BROWN TRANSMISSIONS... They are dishonest, scamming people... when I took it to another place, they pulled the old 5th gear nut out which they claimed to have replaced. . The place I send everyone to here in San Antonio, TX is DAVID COLBATH TRANSMISSION... He does a majority of the 5th gear fixes in this area, and can have it done in a day. . What it is, from my understanding, and correct me if I am wrong, y'all, is the 5th gear is on the back of the transmission, seperate from all the other gears. . There is a little bit of play, and over time, when you gas on it, and let off, just driving normal, its almost like hammering away at the nut. Eventually it will come loose, and let the gear slide down the mainshaft. Nothing majorly wrong, but frustrating when only able to go 65-70 tops. . I have heard of people drilling holes through the mainshaft and putting a cotter pin in there, though I would recommend the proper fix, which would be switching to a fully splined mainshaft. There is a place in Dallas I have heard of, Standard Transmission of Dallas , and I understand they have some of the cheapest prices around... PM Me if you have anymore questions. .





-Chris-

 

[BWilson]

I put the standard transmission fix in my truck about 150K miles ago and still no problems!!!! There are also some other shops that offer pretty much the same thing (Blumenthal Mfg is another I think). Defintiely do the fix with the main shaft and the lock nut. I have heard of shops even trying to weld the nut on and it didn't work for long.

 

[pwknapp]

Eleven 5th gear nuts gone, two transmissions, three rebuilds and finally Standard Transmission in Ft Worth did the fix on an exchange unit. No worries so far after 80k miles and some tough pulling. Lasted way longer than any other shops fix I used. Do yourself a favor and get the fully splined main shaft and be done with it. JM. 02

 

[Boomer II]

I've lost mine twice, when I did the clutch at around 97K I had him replace the nut with the Dodge fix, the pinch bolt nut. Holding on so far but now I guess I can be paranoid about that and the KDP.

 

[Deezul1]

Check around and find a good trans shop that is familiar with the 5th gear problem and knows about the full splined mainshaft fix. Mine came off twice in 6 mos and I went to darn near every shop in town before finding one that knew about the full splined shaft and after market nut that has to be way better than DCs miserable attempt at a fix. My complete job including R+R, new bearings and seals and new shaft, 5th gear and nut was about $950. 00 so shop around.

 

[BWilson]

None of the shops I called knew anything about a fully splined main shaft and lock nut so I bought it myself from Standard Transmission and took it to a transmission shop near me. Since then tney have used it on many other peoples trucks and actually have given me some really sweet deals for helping them out (like free labor on a transmission rebuild). Just because they don't know about this fix doesn't necessarily make them a bad shop.

 

[Sled Puller]

www.enterpriseengine.com in Southern Ohio, is really good with these transmissions.





STOP LUGGING IN 5th GEAR!!!

 

[cray]

Thanks ya'll... ..... I appreciate the help.

 

[Champane Flight]

Nope

I have 89000 miles and no fifth problems. From what I understand is that if the transmission is in fifth gear at a lower RPM under 1700, it set up a low frequency vibration that shakes the nut loose. I do not use fifth gear under 55 mph 3:53s . If it goes, I am thinking serious about a NV5600.....

 

[JWaters]

My truck only has 57,000 on it but, my friends dodge has 248,000 on it and it has never had a 5 gear nut problem and he pulls a 36 foot triple axel trailer with it. maybe it's the driving habits or maybe some was built better.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Mine fell off at 91K. I fixed it with the updated nut from Standard Transmission. This is a band-aid fix so I am now in the process of buying an NV5600 to set on until I can afford a clutch and the other items needed for the swap. Here are pictures of my 5th gear for anyone who has not seen what the problem is: http://www.pbase.com/mark1974/truck



Mark

 

[Kalaehina]

Hey guys, I have a 96 5 speed, and I have always knew this was a possibility with my truck, but I have no idea what the procedure for this 5th gear fix is if I ever have to do it. Not to start a new subject, but quick summary, how do you fix the 5th gear? Does the whole trans have to come out? Thanks for the education.

 

[rdrose]

5th gear fix

just bought a new clutch and went and got a fully splined shaft will be here anytime now. any pic on the procedure on how to replace the old shaft with the new one. any advice would be very helpful. FINALLY A COLD FRONT DOWN HERE,VERY COLD MUST BE IN THE 70'S. WHERE'S MY LONG JOHNS????

 

[Deezul1]

The transmission has to come completely apart to get the mainshaft out, I had new bearings and seals put in mine at the same time. The bearing kit was about $200 extra and it was all apart anyway.

 

[TXram1]

Does anyone have the part# for the seals and bearing for the NV-4500. It may be possible to have those numbers cross referenced at a bearing supply house, making it a little less expensive for someone



Greg