Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Lost 5th gear!

[WMonroe]

I was cruising down the highway today and the truck seemed to go to neutral. I coasted off to the side and realized it was still in 5th gear just that nothing was happening. I guess the nut and gear backed off? I drove it about 75 miles back home and parked it. Haven't had a chance to look at anything yet. I have a few questions hopefully someone can answer.

Did it hurt anything to drive it home?

Where is the best place to get the parts to fix it?

How difficult is it to fix?

Thanks

Will

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by WMonroe

I was cruising down the highway today and the truck seemed to go to neutral. I coasted off to the side and realized it was still in 5th gear just that nothing was happening. I guess the nut and gear backed off? I drove it about 75 miles back home and parked it. Haven't had a chance to look at anything yet. I have a few questions hopefully someone can answer.

Did it hurt anything to drive it home?

Where is the best place to get the parts to fix it?

How difficult is it to fix?

Thanks

Will

Speaking only from what I've read on here...



#1 no it did not hurt to drive home, in fact I've seen one or two members post that they drove for a while (few days) before actually repairing 5th gear.



#2 www.standardtransmission.com seems to be the place to get the best prices on the parts to fix it.



#3 I hear that its not that hard of a fix. Just do a search for 5th gear nut and you will come up with PLENTY of reading material.



I was fortunate that my first truck never had ANY 5th gear related probs. I purchased it with 122K miles on it and sold it with 196K miles on it. My new (to me) truck has 142K miles on it and I was informed by the previous owner that it has already had the 5th gear fix done. I suppose it probably just the nut, but its re-assuring to say the least.



Good luck!

 

[RT66DOC]

I agree with everything Mark said above. Std. Trans is the place to call. They have everything you need. Don't be concerned about driving your truck 75 miles. I speak from experience here. My 5th gear blew off a year and 12K miles ago and I'm still driving it like that. I think I'm the poster-boy for driving a with a crippled 4500. As a matter of fact, if there's anybody out there in TDR-Land who's got my record beat - 1 year and >12,000 miles - let me know and I'll send you a check for a case of cold ones.



Disclaimer: I don't recommend this. My excuse is two-fold. First, I'm a formidable procrastinator and second, I'm going to replace the 5spd with a 6spd so I don't care much about what else may or may not be going on inside that gearbox. So far no metal chunks or shavings in the trans lube and no new noises or strange shifting behavior.

 

[WMonroe]

Thanks for the replys. I was at the standard transmission website and saw they have a upgraded mainshaft. Is that what I need or do I just need a new fifth gear and nut?

I'm going to call them Monday morning to get everything ordered.

Will

 

[RT66DOC]

Best to get the fully splined mainshaft. Dramatically reduce your odds of it happening again. All the rebuilds from Std Trans come with the upgraded mainshaft. Ask 'em about it.

 

[chrleb1]

You don't even need a new nut. On my transmission we just dented the nut with a punch right where the keyway is at. By doing this, you can take the dent out and take it off if necessary. You can get a fully splined shaft, but that is a lot of work. They also have a different type of gear for the back there also.

 

[plangone]

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I haven't fixed it yet, but will soon. I have been driving it when I need to, but not as much as normal. I got the upgraded nut and a gallon of syntorque from standard transmission, and got the special tool from spx miller.

 

[pwknapp]

If you plan on keeping it for a while go ahead and get the fully splined shaft and be done with it. Before knowing about TDR and going through all the "upgraded nuts" I replaced mine 11 times on two different trannies. Finally got the exchange transmission from Standard and it has been great. Sure wish I could have waited till the 6-speed conversions were out but oh well.

 

[WMonroe]

What is different about the upgraded nut? Just buying the nut would be alot easier on the finances right now.

Will

 

[pwknapp]

The updated nut has a couple of set screws to bite into the threads on the main shaft. Make sure it is very clean and use locktite. You can also use a punch and set the flange of the nut on the main shaft for added protection. Call Standard Transmission or any of the other reputable shops spoken of on here.