NV 5600 and Reverse

[1tuffram]

I finally took delivery of my 2002 6sp . I'm embarrassed to ask, but what is the trick to easily get the dang thing in reverse. I'm having a heck of a time. Almost always I end up in 5th. I try pushing the shift lever further over (to the point I'm afraid of bending or breaking something) and still can not find reverse 75% of the time. This is getting to be very embarrasing when trying to park in public. I had success one time by very firmly pressing the shift over while moving it between 5th and 6th, found the "spot" for the shift lever to slide over far enough so I could shove it up into reverse. Not sure if its me needing to adjust or not. Anyone else had problems finding reverse when learning the 6sp?? The transmission is still very tight and a little hard to shift, takes me awhile to get her in gear between shifts and the people following me are almost rear-ending me. Don't notice any 3rd or 4th gear clash some experience. I'm also trying to adjust to the "softer" clutch pedal pressure and the sluggish throttle response over my '95 5 speed. Is the electronic throttle the reason I don't have the crisp/snappy throttle response like my 12 valve??



Any help or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Alan Reagan]

You shouldn't be having that problem going into reverse. It should just be over and up. As far as the snappy response, that will begin improving at about 5K miles. Add a VA, Edge, or any other type of box and it will improve immediately. I would take it in to the dealer and document the problem going into Reverse. That doesn't sound like a break in problem. Before you go, though, slide under your truck and make sure you don't have lube seeping down the transmission from the top. That would indicate a loose shifter plate which could cause the problem you are having overall with shifting.

 

[RedRam1]

tuffram,



It's not you. Before I bought my truck, I test drove a used Y2K 6 speed that was dam near impossible to get into reverse. I really wanted the 6 speed, but thought after after driving that one that I was going to have to settle for a 5 speed. My wife uses the truck a good bit, and I had to get something she could drive. There is no way that she, or any other 115 lb. woman could have shifted that thing into reverse, it was that bad.

I ordered a 6 speed only after driving another truck at the dealer that shifted fine. I was sweating it while waiting for the truck to come in, just knew with my luck I'd get a "bad" one. I got lucky though, the truck has 19K miles now, and has shifted as easy/smooth as the wife's Maxima from day one. Don't settle for a hard to shift NV5600, even if you eventually get used to it, because they are not all that way, and on a 35K truck you should not have to put up with it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

When they replaced my 5600 it would almost not go into reverse at all. I complained immediately but agreed to put a few miles on it anyway. Within a couple thousand is was / is shifting perfectly, so dont feel like you have to live with it. Do what was suggested, take it to the dealer and document the problem, if it doesnt get better let them replace it.

 

[1tuffram]

Thanks for the input guys. I test drove 2 other 6sp before and had a little difficulty with them also, but not like this. I will see if things improve in the next week. I'm really hoping it's a combo of me needing to adjust and the new transmission being so tight/stiff. If not you can bet I will be all over this. I learned from my '95 all the tricks dealers pull when it comes to warranty issues (I ate the cost of a transfer case rebuild for a problem I complained about for 3 yrs/ 36,000 miles, but was always blown-off. 10K past warranty guess what happened, and DC's response was "to bad, so sad"). I have used info from the TDR to better arm myself against this type of stuff happening the second time around. I have read and taken notes on the posts related to the arbitraion process, have bookmarked the Better Business Bureau web site on my computer, plus have a print-out (to show the dealer I mean business) of how I can contact my local BBB if need be. About the only thing I do not have is a name and phone number for my local zone rep ( Which I almost asked for when my saleman introduced me to the Service manger and his staff after signing the paper work, but decided no need to start rocking the boat unless necessary). Don't know if any of this will make one bit of difference, but at least I feel it will indicate I won't go down without putting up a fight

 

[kiwi bird]

My 6 speed was the same when new, darn near impossible to get reverse. I sort of had to go to the right and then wiggle it down and then up in to reverse.



It got better the more miles I put on it and now with 10K it shifts without problems.

 

[mikeg135]

Maybe it is just a force of habit. I have always owned manuals. On the traditional 5 speed always told me to put it in 4th first then reverse. On my last truck if I did not do this... . I would get a slight grind going straight into reverse.





So on my 6 speed just out of habit, I put it in 5th first then move it over to reverse. Try it... . it may help.





Mike

 

[rubberneck]

Mine was the same way when new. hard as heck some times to get in reverse, i remember right after i got the truck some goof decided he was going to back out of the left turn lane and proceed straight, Guess he couldnt see that big huge red sport bumper and grill in his rearview, so he kept on coming back. I was honking the whole time trying to get it in reverse. Luckily he bothered to look at the last minute, cause i never did get it in reverse. You think dodge would have paid for the paint work Any way i have 20k on it now and it is smooth as glass. Guess its better to have it tight when new than to be about right and have it get sloppy with time.

 

[Wiz]

Mike,

I totally agree with you. I originally had a hard time going into reverse,especially from neutral. Now as a matter of habit, I go into 5 before going into reverse. Works every time.

 

[Ethdee]

I just let the clutch out in neutral, and then depress it and try again. It is synchromesh, after all.



Jim

 

[rkressg]

Tricks from Real transmission's

Depress the clutch then put it in the top gear for that range. Next, attempt to put into reverse. If it catches half way into reverse, but will not go in slowly begin to lift your foot off the clutch. Continue to apply pressure to the stick. It will either pop in or, if you miss, grid like crazy. This is what I have to do with my larger trucks and sometimes even my truck :-{}

 

[ISB RAMBO]

tuffram;

I have almost 30K miles on my 6 speed and it still only goes directly into reverse maybe 50% of the time. What works everytime for me is is pushing the shifter towards reverse and slightly letting out the clutch til the gears start turning. Slips right in everytime.

If you have a radar detector and the day/night mirror (with the cable to it), here is something that may help. Wire the 12V radar detector to the 12V and ground wires at the mirror plug (test with a meter). What happens is that when the truck is running and you shift into reverse, the +12V is shut off - therefore the radar detector will shut off letting you know that you are already in reverse. Got this tip from one of our members a couple of years ago and it works great. Hope this helps

Stan

 

[1tuffram]

Well I tried the put it in 5th or 6th gear then reverse trick without luck, in fact most everytime I think it's in reverse it ends up being in 5th. I have also tried the double clutching method and even letting the truck roll slightly when in neutral in hopes things would "syncromesh" or the gears change position enough to line up. This morning I had some luck when pushing the shift lever over as I applied a little downward force, I could feel it "bump" along the 2nd, 4th, and 6th gear slots. When all the way over I could then find the slot for reverse with a little wiggling and force on the shift lever (don't know if this makes any sense). It is almost as if the slot for reverse is not straight over but kind of like over and down just a hair. I'll play around with it some more before getting worried.

 

[Dane]

1tuffram - Mine was difficult also when new but after changing the transmission oil at 10K miles it's like butter



My method - let the stick go where it wants in neutral, clutch it to the floor (not always easy with us big footed folks) Push the stick straight up to 3rd then one notch over to 5th then one more notch over to reverse.



Works every time for me, I've gotten so used to doing it it's real fast now. Good luck, the six speed is a blast behind the Cummins when you get used to it

 

[CUMAPART]

Mine has gone into reverse and any other gear w/o a problem. Out of habbit I put mine into second then reverse. I'm used to the ol SM420 where it's nonsynchroed so the 5600 is a dream.