Archived Lost Transmission enroute Alaska

[Alaskaskiff]

Lost my transmission (rebuild from Standard Transmission) this morning in Southern New Jersey. Got a bad rumble in 3rd 4th and 5th. Haven't pulled transmission yet, so maybe the clutch ? Hurts to see the truck on a rollback.



Any good suppliers in the nearby region for parts/Castrol, etc?



Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[M Barnett]

I would get it out and find out what happened, then give Standard transmission a call. They sound like a stand up company and maybe they will send you another transmission if it was something they did wrong. They could also supply the castrol the cheapest, otherwise go to Chevy or Dodge to get it. Let us know what happened to it.

Michael

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Any chance this is the result of the snap ring in the xfer case going?

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Well, the transfer case was not the problem. The snap ring is intact. Pulled the shifter off the transmission and the fluid smells burned. Thinking a bad transmission bearing. BTW have only used the 'approved' Castrol as provided by Standard Transmission.

 

[M Barnett]

Have you drained the oil into a clean container and checked for any metal?

 

[Bud Fox]

Where in NJ are you located???

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Pulled the transmission today. Clutch is good. Drained transmission oil. Looked pretty bad, with lots of shiny metal particles in it. Pulled the PTO cover and did not find any pieces in the bottom of the case. The oil has only been in the transmission for 700 miles. Looks way worse than previous oil run for 30,000+ miles. I suspect bearing failure at this point.



I am currently located in Mullica Hill, NJ. I was towing my boat enroute Alaska when all went bad. GCVW was only 13,700.



I need a transmission and fast. I am in the military and doing a permanent change of station from Rhode Island to Alaska.

 

[M Barnett]

Have you called Standard transmission yet? How many miles on the rebuild?

They should be able to get one to you in a day or two. I would talk to them soon and see if you can't ship yours to them so they can inspect it and make whatever adjustment they need too, to you.

Michael

 

[Alaskaskiff]

G-D'ed long weekend. Standard is not open, already tried. Probably no luck until Tuesday... They will get their chance to deal with the issue before I disclose the mileage on the board or any further details on the board.

 

[MikeR]

Auto Wurks Diesel is in Caldwell NJ. (973)226-7800

I don't know how far that is to where you are at in Mullica Hill, but these are probably your only hope in finding a replacement 5spd trans fast.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Cause of failure is clear... Broken fifth gear. Looks like a manufacturing defect in the gear. Surprised it ran as long as it did. Lost most of about 7 teeth on fifth and the associated gear. One tooth on fifth had a defect that has been there a long time. Transmission was 12,000/10 months (warranty is 10,000/6 months) down the road from a Standard Transmission rebuild. The offer from Standard to repair was reasonable but, I chose to go with Enterprise instead because they could help me faster being closer. I have only towed 350 miles (last 350 before failure) on the transmission and have not run the truck hard at all. Fifth has been noisy since the rebuild, but all transmissions are slightly different and it was a swap for the one I had.



Oil has been analyzed for viscosity (bulk Castrol from Standard Transmission) and has (under the D445-3 test) a 40 deg C viscosity of 71. 55 Centistokes and (under the D445-5 test) at 100 deg C viscosity of 12. 18 Centistokes. I don't remember for sure but these sound to be right for the Syntorq oil. It is definitely not the 6 speed oil, which was a real concern for me.



Thanx for the suggestions from the members who answered up.



I have learned that it is hard to get a NVG4500 fast while on the road, particularly a full spline one.



With any luck will be on the road by Friday.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Bummer about the transmission. Figures it has to break when you have to been somewhere fast. Will you still be able to make it t Alaska in time?





Jeff

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Jeff,



Getting a new gearbox tomorrow morning. Should be in the truck by lunchtime and on the road (after a little testing) the next morning.



You know what they say about Murphy and his D... ed Law.



So far we just have lost visit opportunities. We are not totally screwed yet.

 

[JR2]

Alaskaskif-

Where in Alaska are you moving?? If you are in the Southcentral area look me up. We have a small (but growing) club here.



John