New Owner.....170k Getrag=Bad??

[MrWinkey]

I just got my first Cummins truck after much prodding from some of my family. The engine runs great and I just checked both axles and there is no problems there.



The truck has 170k on it and I'm worried about that Getrag transmission?



What can I do to extend it's life?



I'm looking to swap in a later NV4500 or a NV5600 but untill then how long can I expect it to last?



Thanks!

 

[Philip]

Welcome to the TDR



Now for your questions. Is the trans making any bearing noises right now?



Some of the members have found that over filling the getrag by one quart of fluid helps in extending the life of the trans. Also syn oil is the prefered oil to.

 

[MrWinkey]

Well it seems to be making a bit of a whine noise I can hear out of the transmission..... just started a little bit ago. It's very hard to hear.



I am unsure if it's a bearing going out in the transmission or normal gear noise as I'm not sure how much noise they make in general.



I've got it overfilled w/ lube right now but it's got a leaky gasket by the T-case so it leaks down to normal levels or slightly above it would seem.

 

[BCaldwell]

Welcome to the site, the whine you hear may be coming from your transfer case or you could be getting some noise from the t case linkage somewhere on the board a fix for the linkage was mentioned take a piece of garden hose and cut it to the length of the linkage rod making for a snug fit then slice the hose down one side and slip over the rod hold in place with two hose clamps one noise down. You say you are running gear lube in your trani better to use syn oil as there are some small oil ports in this trani. bill

 

[Philip]

Drain the fuild and do a refill. Catch the old fluid and check for debris. If you don't see much just refill and keep an ear on the sound and if you hear it getting worse get ready to repair or replace the trans.

 

[dpuckett]

I have 255K on my Getrag (at least there is no tag saying "Remanufactured" anywhere on it); know a guy that has over 500K on his. The main enemy of the Getrags is heat (due to low fluid) and lugging. Keep the RPMs up, esp when towing, (which you should do for EGTs anyway... ), and keep an eye on the fluid level. If you have a leak, regular (dino) oil will work. (remember, synthetice turn a amll leak into a big one; big leak into a seive). Book recommends 5W30, but I have used up to 20W50 for heavy towing in summer. Last synthetic I put in a Getrag (Fall '00) was Castrol Syntec 5W50. Cut down on gear noise a bunch. Overfilling via shifter removal will help, too. CHange the fluid once a year or 15-20K for maximum life.



Daniel

 

[MrWinkey]

Hey thanks alot guys!!!!



I really love this truck. I cant belive I didnt get one sooner w/ all the stuff I tow.



Night and day diffrence between it and the old 70's chevy's I used to tow with.



I'll not worry about it much and just keep using the 5-30w oil and in the meantime look for a NV4500 just in case.

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by OFitzgerald

Hey thanks alot guys!!!!





I'll not worry about it much and just keep using the 5-30w oil and in the meantime look for a NV4500 just in case.

If you get a NV4500, make sure you get teh fully splined mainshaft; 5th gear likes to back off in the older ones. 97 or 98, and DC finally upgraded it.