Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lost 5th Gear in Transmission on '99 2500

[Jeddi]

Hi All,



I know I have seen several threads on this issue, but what I haven't found is why Dodge isn't doing a recall on the problem? It seems to me that this is a problem they should be paying to fix since it was their engineering that caused it. Anybody had them fix this problem? BTW mine has over a 100,000 on it.



Thanks... . Jeff

 

[moparguy]

I agree, DC should take care of the 5th gear problem. However, you only see recalls when a safety issue is involved. And while we can conjure up a situation where loss of 5h could cause an accident, in the real world, accidents and loss of life aren't part of the poorly engineered NV4500 problems. Thankfully.



RJR

 

[fj40charles]

DC being the cheap bast@rd is probably betting that the 5th gear nut will not come loose until after 100K.

 

[Fast 1]

New Venture Gear says thier warranty repair rate is less than 1 percent, but this is only up to 36,000 miles. I wonder what their repair rate is at with 100,000 miles? I'm sure replacements and rebuilds are a big part of thier business.



That 5th gear nut was a huge problem and still is. I know that it's due to the gear starting to wobble and working the nut loose on the main shaft especially at low rpms. but I have always thought that it is also heat related. Meaning heat / stress / fatigue all go together, making it easier for the nut to come loose and most of the time when 5th gear has been a problem, towing has been involved. I'm sure vibrations are felt more when towing through the transmission but heat / stress / fatigue is also more evident when towing in overdrive when your actually using that 5th gear. !!!



Fast Coolers



Verlyn

 

[RCapehart]

I lost my 5th gear at 80,000 miles. After all of the research and the people I talked to 3 things seemed to be linked to the problem. A bombed engine, High heat and low rpm's.



My engine is not bombed but I have towed at low rpm's which probably caused high heat.



I decided not to replace the mainshaft because it showed no wear at all neither did the gear. But the gear fit loose. I replaced the gear with a press fit 5th gear and used the nut kit. I also added fast coolers and a temp gauge.



I plan to keep rpm's up when towing and see how this works.



Ron

 

[John Berger]

I'm at 82K plus on my transmission. I've towed about 25% of those miles. So far so good. I always try to keep the RPM's at or above 2000 when I'm in 5th gear. If mine goes, I hope it goes prior to the warranty expiring. Personally, I hope it never goes.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

5th gear nut

Mine went out at 72k miles while traveling down I-5 near Vancover, Wash. pulling a 5th. whl. It happened at 11AM and by 4:30PM I was on the road again with a factory repair kit installed, under warranty.

I now have 95k and no problem yet. It worries me but what can you do except drive it until it fails again.

Anyone have any comment on how the factory repair kit holds up?

 

[Deezul1]

Re: 5th gear nut

Anyone have any comment on how the factory repair kit holds up?





Jack in Alaska

It doesnt. Best fix is a fully splined mainshaft like Standard Transmission sells

 

[RCapehart]

I talked to the dealer about mine and what bothered me was that my 5th gear would wobble on the shaft. They wre going to leave it it that way and put a new nut on it. My shaft showed no signs of wear and the gear did not either but it wobbled. I ordered from Blumenthal's a press fit gear and nut kit.



I had to drive this gear on the shaft. I know the new mainshaft would be the best fix but I decided to try this. My engine is not bombed and Blumenthal's felt this would work for me.



Ron

 

[Steve Campbell]

RCapehart...

that is an interesting "fix". How much of a press fit was this gear? How does one get ahold of Blumenthals to aquire such a gear?

 

[RCapehart]

Steve,



It is a snug fit no play in it. I used a piece of pipe capped on one end to drive it on. The nut kit has loctite, cone washer, brass tabs with set screws. I also staked it to the mainshaft in 4 places.



My mainshaft and factory gear looked perfect the gear just had a wobble in it. I just could no see putting it back like that.



Here is there web page:

http://www.blumenthalmfg.com/



Gear $60. 00 / nut kit $31. 13



Ron

 

[1lawnman]

STEVE

I PULL A TRAILER ALL THE TIME , MOST LOADS RANGE AROUND 18000LBS MINE WENT OUT AT 75000

HAD A DEALER FIX IT WHICH INCLUDED A NEW NUT WITH SET SCREWS IN IT. WELL... ..... AT 101000 IT WENT OUT AGAIN IAM SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THE DEALER SAID

NOW I SOLD THIS TRUCK TO MY SON AND HE TOOK IT IN FOR THE REPAIRS BOY DID HE COME HOME MADD!!!!

WELL IT ONLY TOOK ONE TRIP TO THE DEALER FOR GOOD OLD DAD

I CALMLY TOLD THEM YOUALL KNOW I HAVE 6 DODGE TRUCKS AND IF YOU CANT FIX THIS AT THE DEALERS EXPENCE THER COULD BE 6 FORDS IN MY DRIVE BY THE END OF THE WEEK

I LOVE MY DODGE TRUCKS BUT IF FORDPUTS THAT CUMMINS IN A PICKUP I

AM GONE BABY

I SAW A 2003 4 DOOR , I WOULD LOVE TO GET THOSE GUYS IN THE BACK SEAT AND RIDE !!! JUST ONE TANK FULL NO STOPS NO BREAKS UNTILL I RAN OUT OF FUEL I BET WE HAVE LEG ROOM THEN

BY THE WAY MY TRUCK WITH THE 5 GEAR PROBLEM WAS ONLY DROVE BY ME AND WAS NEVER LUG AT LOW RPMS THAT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT I SAW IT FRIST HAND IT IS A FACTORY ... ... UP