Lost 5th gear TWICE!

[UPSER76]

Just lost 5th gear coming home from work not pulling anything. I only an 8,000 lb 5th wheel very seldom (about 1,500 mi. a year). Had it fixed 2 years and 38k miles ago by the local Dodge dealership for $420, which included the new nut package (they reused the old oil). Was reimbursed by Dogde after learning of the 5th gear problem. Stopped at the dealership yesterday and was told it is not covered as it is over 12 months and 12 k miles. Estimated cost would be $950, which would include a new 5th gear and nut package. (they quoted $360 for the gear and $67 for nut package. ) Sounds like $500 labor! My question is, has any members got any assitance through the factory reps? I've been reading up on the fixes on the posts. Do you feel that these prices are within reason?

 

[BCFAST]

Outlandish!

Go look under the thread titled, "Lost 5th gear" and look at the fixes suggested. You are yet another prime example that DC's fix doesnt work. Personally, when mine takes a dump I'll be making a phone call to Texas.



BC

 

[Forrest]

Has anyone bought the parts from Tx. & taken them to their favorite transmission shop for installation? I would like to know what they paid.



Thanks

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Too many $'s.

JGewand,

$500 labor is very high, if your signature is correct. A 2wl. drive is easy to do the split nut procedure. I'd guess that a dealership would charge 2 hours labor which would be $100 in my area. After you have done one it takes less then the two hours. I will probably get flamed for not insisting on the Standard Transmission fix and must say that it is great, the best, etc. However with a 2wl. trans being so easy and inexpensive for the split nut, I would suggest that you get the special tools to hold the shaft and nut, carefully read the instructions and fix it yourself. I've reused the fifth gear in most cases without problems.



The Loctite adhesive is seriously strong stuff, so pay attention to the cleaning and to backing out the locking bolt on the split nut. Most of the sockets will not allow the locking bolt to be backed out properly when installing the nut, this causes the Loctite adhesive to be pushed out of the threads.

I grind away part of the torx head so that the socket will slip over. Also I recommend modifying the tool to fit a 3/4 drive ratchet/breaker bar.

Even a name brand 3/4 to 1/2 reducer will not take the torque I put on the nut. I use cheater bars and my number 12 tennis shoes to "torque" the nut. Stake the nut for additional insurance. A local Dodge dealer and another independant shop have told me that they have had a couple come back out of many, but agree that proper prep and torque are the key. If I had the trans out for other repairs I would definately put in the new Standard Trans. shaft and gear for parts cost of <$500. Oh yes, alway change the trans lube. The excessive end play (and nut binding) on fifth gear causes metal to flake off. HTH

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

For $560 or so you can get the mainshaft, nut, gear, and a gallon of Castrol from 1-800-std-tran in Texas. Installation of the whole thing here in 'Vegas runs about $300. Just putting on a new nut and gear won't solve the problem because it is not properly supported on the mainshaft. It will cock on the shaft from torque loading, and then rock. This will spit off the nut eventually. If you have run for a while with oil that has metal particles in it from stripping threads off a nut, your trans could in a world of hurt, and getting a rebuilt unit from standard Trans could be the best approach. That will cost around 2 large plus whatever it costs to install it locally, probably about $200.