NV-5600 Shift Tower

[CROW]

Getting ready to change fluid on my NV-5600 again and will overfill this time through the shift tower. Have never had it off before. Does it have a gasket where it mates to the transmission or do I use RTV to make a gasket seal? If it doesn't have a gasket, would it hurt to make one or would the presence of a gasket cause a clearance issue with the shifter. Thanks for any responses.

 

[RBridenbaugh]

How much were you planning on overfilling the NV5600? Specified volume is 9. 5 pints. I use 12 pints of Pennzoil Syncromesh Manual Transmission Fluid 3501.



Instead of going in through the shift tower, I just remove one upper bolt from the power takeoff cover just to the left of the transmission fill plug and add the last 2. 5 pints through the bolt hole. Much easier than removing the shift tower. I adapted a piece of tubing that will fit into the hole and connected it to the larger tubing on the pump that I use to fill the transmission / differentials / transfer case.



Procedure for the removal and installation of the shift tower is below. I imagine most people try not to disturb the isolator plate and don't deal with the sealant.



If I wanted to add more (13-14 pints was the max volume I'd seen in threads on this forum), I'd try adding it through the PTO bolt hole first. If part of the last bit runs out prior to getting the bolt back in, I'd call it good for this change, and think about putting the left wheels up on a curb the next time ...





REMOVAL

1. Shift transmission into Neutral.

2. Unscrew and remove the shift lever extension from the shift

3. Remove screws attaching shift boot to floorpan. Then slide boot upward on the shift lever.

4. Remove the bolts holding the shift tower to the isolator plate and transmission gear case.

5. Remove the shift tower and isolator plate from the transmission.



INSTALLATION

1. Shift transmission into third gear.

2. Clean the mating surfaces of shift tower, isolator plate and transmission gear case with suitable wax and grease remover.

3. Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to the sealing surface of the transmission. Do not over apply sealant.

4. Install isolator plate onto the transmission, metal side down.

5. Install shift tower onto the isolator plate. No sealant is necessary between the shift tower and isolator plate.

6. Verify shift tower, isolator plate and shift tower bushings are properly aligned.

7. Install shift tower bolts and tighten the shift tower bolts to 8-10 N·m (7-9 ft. lbs. ).

8. Install shift lever extension, shift boot and bezel

 

[RSchwarzli]

If you do the shift tower method, yes I believe it was just RTV is memory serves...

 

[04blackcherry]

I was able to just get 6 quarts into mine by parking the truck on a sidehill and filling thru the normal fill hole. I probably had a 1 1/2' to 2' elevation difference from side to side. Seal the plug when you put it back in or it will weep fluid. Mine didn't weep with 5 quarts but it does with 6.

 

[AH64ID]

I have used both the PTO bolt and my fast coolers. I have no issues weeping with 7 qts in the trans, it starts to come out the fill hole at about 6.

 

[steved]

Seal the plug when you put it back in or it will weep fluid. Mine didn't weep with 5 quarts but it does with 6.

Weeping isn't necessarily bad as long as it doesn't drip... it will help prevent the plug from seizing into the bore.



I have only ever overfilled through the OE fill port initially, and the Fast Coolers later on. Keep in mind that your trans will likely show higher operating temps if you overfill (and have a gauge to read temps installed).