Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV 4500 and clutch appear OK, and I'm not happy.

[moparguy]

I've have a super loud transmission/drivetrain noise when the truck is really working hard, pulling the backhoe, or Monarc Pass in Co. with a loaded hunting trailer (what it was doing when this started last fall). Have to be making 30 or so lbs. of boost. Doesn't matter if in 5th or 4th, same deal. You don't know if you're gonna make it another 100 feet.



No load, drive normal, no problem.



Well Peter sent me a new ConO, pilot shaft bearing, and throwout bearing. I had convinced myself that the pilotshaft bearing was bad, causing the input shaft bearing to start to fail.



If not the possibility listed above I expected to find some other easy to spot issues when I tore into things.



Well, I pulled it down today, the pilot shaft bearing is still good at 150k still has grease, could reuse the stock clutch assembly if I needed to. Everything looks great, the input shaft is tight with no undue slop.



I haven't pulled down the tailshaft to check things back there yet, so I may find a problem that I can fix yet. I haven't had any issues with 5th gear coming off, still the factory nut. Oh, the front u-joint was a little rough on one axis.



So, if anyone has any advise on what to check, I'm all ears (eyes?).



Thanks

 

[SRadke]

I had a run in with a 92 that had worn the turbo bearings/bushings bad enough the compressor would rub the housing under high boost. It made a lot of noise. If you don't find a prob in the trans that's my only idea



-Scott

 

[cksh8me]

I had a problem that sounds like yours

I had a baring going out in the transfer case. Good luck

 

[Howard Durand]

Pull the tail shaft cover off the transfer case and check the lock ring that holds the bearing in place.

 

[moparguy]

Howard, the snapring is still in place and doing fine on the transfer case output shaft.



I checked the 5th gear nut, doesn't appeared to have moved in 150,000 miles, all the bolts are still tight on the plate behind 5th gear.



Also checked the clearances on at the backend of the mainshaft and countershaft.



mainshaft; . 001



countershaft . 003



No debris in the bottom of the trans case, just a small amount of metal crud on the sidecover magnet.



Checked the rearend, everything looks good, no metal on the drainplug magnet, carrier bolts tight, look great in there.



I'm starting to wonder if the front u-joint with its small amount of roughness on one axis could be the problem when things are under load. Naw, that can't be it.



I have for the most part treated this transmission with care, shifting it like a truck transmission, not a sports car. Kept rpm up when in 5th, and when necessary dropped down to 4th rather than using 5th at 1500rpm.



I'm on the verge of installing the new ConO, putting it back together with a new u-joint and driving on.



Or, packing the transmission up and shipping it Standard Transmission for a mainshaft and general freshing up.



Still open to suggestions though.



Thanks RJR

 

[ALeavitt]

I need 4th/5th gear shifting guidelines

Comment about not running in 5th gear below 1500 rpm's begs the question (I'm new owner of a '97 5 spd, 4:10 gears): what are recommended shift points/rpm guidelines for these rigs? Do the 4th/5th gear recommendations hold, period, or are they based on whether or not I'm pulling a load?

 

[K5IP]

Mopar,

I am with you. I just pulled the transmission today. (95 5spd 4wd). It was noisy comming home from Alaska this year, mostly on deceleratiion, not acceleration, all gears using the countershaft.

My countershaft seems tight (. 002 endplay).

Mainshaft less tight but still in spec (. 005 endplay).

The second gear seems to have too much lateral play however.

I was planning to do this myself but I can't find the special tools easily.



Think I'll send it to Standard transmission.



Also, This transmision has had easy use. No power upgrades, light 4500 lb trailer, only 100K miles. Can't believe it gave this soon. Think I'll go for the fully splined main shaft. I met several fellow travelers who lost 5th gear and much of the joy of Alaska.

Rog

 

[jimk]

noise

I've have a super loud transmission/drivetrain noise when the truck is really working hard, pulling the backhoe, or Monarc Pass in Co. with a loaded hunting trailer (what it was doing when this started last fall). Have to be making 30 or so lbs. of boost. Doesn't matter if in 5th or 4th, same deal. You don't know if you're gonna make it another 100 feet.



No load, drive normal, no problem.



Well Peter sent me a new ConO, pilot shaft bearing, and throwout bearing. I had convinced myself that the pilotshaft bearing was bad, causing the input shaft bearing to start to fail.



If not the possibility listed above I expected to find some other easy to spot issues when I tore into things.



Well, I pulled it down today, the pilot shaft bearing is still good at 150k still has grease, could reuse the stock clutch assembly if I needed to. Everything looks great, the input shaft is tight with no undue slop.



I haven't pulled down the tailshaft to check things back there yet, so I may find a problem that I can fix yet. I haven't had any issues with 5th gear coming off, still the factory nut. Oh, the front u-joint was a little rough on one axis.



So, if anyone has any advise on what to check, I'm all ears (eyes?).



Thanks

Have you checked the center support bearing and the slip yokes? I have seen vibration that is caused by a worn yoke. The fan is not locking up either. If you dont have any issues with the transmission and I would look else where.

My friend who has a 24 vavle and he said that the fan was going out but could not find out a problem with it an it was a guttless wonder or some thing like that, a 350 chev had more power. He had taked it to the dealer to check it out and had a reflash to help with the power issues. I stoped by the check it out. The hose clamp where about to fall off the innercooler. NO more fan clutch roar and power problems. Good luck Jim

 

[jimk]

transmission

Mopar,

I am with you. I just pulled the transmission today. (95 5spd 4wd). It was noisy comming home from Alaska this year, mostly on deceleratiion, not acceleration, all gears using the countershaft.

My countershaft seems tight (. 002 endplay).

Mainshaft less tight but still in spec (. 005 endplay).

The second gear seems to have too much lateral play however.

I was planning to do this myself but I can't find the special tools easily.



Think I'll send it to Standard transmission.



Also, This transmision has had easy use. No power upgrades, light 4500 lb trailer, only 100K miles. Can't believe it gave this soon. Think I'll go for the fully splined main shaft. I met several fellow travelers who lost 5th gear and much of the joy of Alaska.

Rog

What about a six speed transmission? If you dont mind the investment/ I m going to try install one in my 95 4x4 automatic that has 104k miles on it now. good luck Jim

 

[moparguy]

ALeavitt, welcome aboard. On the rpm/shifting thing, I believe the best thing you can do to make 5th gear stay on (prior to installing a upgrade shaft or nut) is to keep rpm up in 5th. I do my best to stay above 2000 rpm in 5th and to keep boost levels below 10 lbs untill I'm over 2000rpm. I use 4th more than most.



I feel that besides keeping the rpm up, the other thing that has helped 5th live in my truck is the 4. 10s, I do lots of 2 lane 55/60mph driving and the wifes truck with a 5spd and 3. 55s is not as happy at slower speeds as mine with it's 4. 10s. 4th is to low and 5th is to high on these slower secondary roads.



Best advise is to not cruse up hills at 1400 or so rpm in 5th.



Good luck, RJR

 

[Dull Pain]

K5IP - I was planning to do this myself but I can't find the special tools easily.



Try www.quad4x4.com - Dan sells all the tools & parts