Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV 4500 going south

[flexyxj]

We are in Rapid City SD pulling a fifth wheel. About 80 miles east of here the transmission started to sound odd in fifth gear. An annoying vibration that gradually got worse to the point that I dropped down into fourth gear and it was quiet and came into Rapid City. I found an Amsoil dealer and changed the oil in it. The oil was dark and shiny...with filings in it. What are my options? Do I dare nurse it back home without the camper or do I find a shop ?

 

[Killer223]

tow it home in 4th.

sounds like the 5th gear nut came loose. google search the 5th gear nut issue.

 

[flexyxj]

tow it home in 4th.

sounds like the 5th gear nut came loose. google search the 5th gear nut issue.

I know about the fifth gear deal but it's noisy in second and especially third as well...

 

[moparguy]

I know I-90 and it's a pretty easy drive from where you are to the east side of the state. I "MIGHT" pull a camper the 350 or so miles. Depending of course on just how serious the bad transmission sounds were. Once in 4th the load is off the countershaft gears and bearings so if one was careful and lucky and only ran 4th it might be a no problem drive.

If concerned, I'd call a bud and have him tow the camper then try and drive home. transmission has to come out for sure and the more miles it's driven, the more dollars to fix.

Good Luck

 

[flexyxj]

I know I-90 and it's a pretty easy drive from where you are to the east side of the state. I "MIGHT" pull a camper the 350 or so miles. Depending of course on just how serious the bad transmission sounds were. Once in 4th the load is off the countershaft gears and bearings so if one was careful and lucky and only ran 4th it might be a no problem drive.

If concerned, I'd call a bud and have him tow the camper then try and drive home. transmission has to come out for sure and the more miles it's driver, the more dollars to fix.

Good Luck

I found a place to drop the camper. I might have attempted pulling it home but the traffic from Sturgis eastbound is nuts already this morning. Fingers crossed....

 

[moparguy]

I know I-90 and it's a pretty easy drive from where you are to the east side of the state. I "MIGHT" pull a camper the 350 or so miles. Depending of course on just how serious the bad transmission sounds were. Once in 4th the load is off the countershaft gears and bearings so if one was careful and lucky and only ran 4th once underway it might be a no problem drive.

If concerned, I'd call a bud and have him tow the camper then try and drive home. transmission has to come out for sure and the more miles it's driven, the more dollars to fix.

Good Luck

 

[GAmes]

I agree with moparguy, you have a countershaft problem. Been there, done that. I once drove from Salt Lake City to Ft. Worth with only 4th gear after dropping the trailer that I had in tow. Sometime later I had another NV4500 fail while in eastern OR but kept the trailer (about 10,000 lbs) hooked up and proceeded to Eugene, OR. After delivering the trailer I mad my way to Salem to a shop who was willing to wait for a replacement from Standard Transmission. Removing a FAST cooler from the PTO cover location I could scoop metal from the inside with my hand. 4th gear was intact.

 

[RBeard]

+1 on the countershaft. Just had to pull 10k lbs. from Louisiana line to Austin, TX in 4th. 4th gear is direct drive, all others use countershaft to propel truck(hence the noise in all other gears). Limped home and R&R'd the transmission and out to Standard Trans. for total rebuild $1200

 

[flexyxj]

We made it home without the camper. 4th gear 62 mph non-stop. When we got off the interstate and had to go through the gears, it didn't sound any better or worse. It still shifts nice and smooth, just noisy....I'm getting quotes of 1750$ to 1850$ to rebuild it. Is there any other options for a transmission? What's the point of having an overdrive gear if you can't tow with it?

 

[GAmes]

That is why I have a G56. I got tired of replacing NV4500s. I suggest you contact Standard Transmission in Ft. worth for a rebuild.

 

[flexyxj]

That is why I have a G56. I got tired of replacing NV4500s. I suggest you contact Standard Transmission in Ft. worth for a rebuild.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge but is the G56 a direct swap?

 

[GAmes]

Not exactly. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/221115-Mission-G56-(pictures)?highlight=mission G56

 

[flexyxj]

Nice write-up!

 

[GAmes]

Thanks. It is also in print, issue #69

 

[flexyxj]

I spent the weekend doing research on transmission options....Although this option is out of my budget at the moment, I'm very intrigued by www.caconversions.com For those of you that have the space to do this conversion, I think it's the best option out there but it isn't cheap. I did call and visit with Dave and his wife KC and they know their stuff since they have been doing this since 1987. It is basically a plug and play conversion for the most part. Check out the testimonials on there website. Why Dodge hasn't worked with Allison makes me wonder what they were thinking....

 

[DVolk]

Thats a simple answer , Alison is owned by Genral Motors !!

 

[GAmes]

Why Dodge hasn't worked with Allison makes me wonder what they were thinking....

When the Duramax/Allison combos first came out I don't think anyone would argue it was the best automatic transmission in the pickup world. However, IMO, they rested on their laurels and now are in third place behind Dodge and Ford for strong, reliable autos. Not that the Allison was that great to start with, the 2nd gen autos were the pits.

 

[GAmes]

Thats a simple answer , Alison is owned by Genral Motors !!

New venture was jointly owned by Dodge and GM. Lots of GM pickups have NV4500s.

 

[moparguy]

I spent the weekend doing research on transmission options....Although this option is out of my budget at the moment, I'm very intrigued by www.caconversions.com For those of you that have the space to do this conversion, I think it's the best option out there but it isn't cheap. I did call and visit with Dave and his wife KC and they know their stuff since they have been doing this since 1987. It is basically a plug and play conversion for the most part. Check out the testimonials on there website. Why Dodge hasn't worked with Allison makes me wonder what they were thinking....

Glad you made it home with no further drama. You likely read this post https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/258185-NV4500-Noise-Yep-another-one-of-those-5-speed-issues about my transmission. I've been happy so far with Standard Transmissions work. I made an appointment to drop the transmission off at noon one day, spent the night in Old Fort Worth at the Stockyards Hotel, enjoyed the evening and picked the rebuilt transmission the next day at about 10am. Cost was $602.00. All I needed was a full bearing kit, new 5th gear shift rail and nut, along with a synchronizes kit. Culprit was front countershaft bearing race (USA made Timken bearing) galled on about a third of its circumference. I trust your's will have more damage and repair cost based on what you've shared on the noise.

Do you have a conversion price on the Allision conversion in the link? I'm definitely intrigued with that conversion.

 

[flexyxj]

Glad you made it home with no further drama. You likely read this post https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/258185-NV4500-Noise-Yep-another-one-of-those-5-speed-issues about my transmission. I've been happy so far with Standard Transmissions work. I made an appointment to drop the transmission off at noon one day, spent the night in Old Fort Worth at the Stockyards Hotel, enjoyed the evening and picked the rebuilt transmission the next day at about 10am. Cost was $602.00. All I needed was a full bearing kit, new 5th gear shift rail and nut, along with a synchronizes kit. Culprit was front countershaft bearing race (USA made Timken bearing) galled on about a third of its circumference. I trust your's will have more damage and repair cost based on what you've shared on the noise.

Do you have a conversion price on the Allision conversion in the link? I'm definitely intrigued with that conversion.

Well....It costs about 5200$ for all of the accessories and then you have the cost of the Allison. They offer a Suncoast rebuilt based on their specs for an additional 3500$. They said it was possible to source a good used Allison for less. They told me if I sent them a serial number of an Allison transmission,they would be glad to decode its serial number and let me know if it would work or not. I think that also has something to do with their programming for the transmission too. All of their wiring harnesses are plug and play. They said that I'd have to hook up a battery power,key on power and a ground. I'd also have to source an Auto steering column and the associated bracketry/linkage from the frame for the auto. The rest is included with their set-up. They are very friendly people to talk to and will gladly answer any questions you have. I'm very intrigued as well....