NV-5600 Tight/not smooth after 11,000 miles

[WM-300]

I have a 2003 HO/6 speed. The transmission has never shifted smooth and easy. It simply feels tight in shifting. DOes not go into reverse easily at times. I also have a NV-4500 which is a dream to shift. Smooth, positive shifting. Is this tight nature of my NV-5600 typical ? Anyone else have a NV-5600 and a NV-4500 that can gve a comparison between the shifting ease of the two ?



Thanks

WM-300

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

All I can tell you in regards to the 5600, is that after 27,000 miles, mine is BETTER, but still a tad on the stiff side - no problems or concern, I'd be MORE concerned if it settled in TOO fast - things that wear IN fast might also wear OUT fast!



It helps to get in the habit of shifting at a slightly slower pace, not reving the engine excessively, and make sure the clutch is ALL the way in. These are rugged TRUCK trannies - and sure don't shift like the 6-speed in my '98 Camaro SS...



BUT then, that Camaro sure wouldn't tow 13K lbs at 65 mph over the Sierra, either!

 

[klenger]

I have a 2001. 5 5 speed for abut 5 months before I traded it for a 6 speed. The 5 speed definitely shifts easier than the 6 speed, but the 6 speed sure is nice.

 

[RM]

i had a five speed in my 96 for 160k and it always shifted nice my 03 with 26k shifts good too but its a lot stiffer than the 96 and i see why when i took the cover off to put on filter and change oil the thing is massive. the five speed was a nice size trans but the six speed is one fine piece of machinery the shift forks are on rails it looks like it could last forever may give the cummins a run for its money. take youre time shifting theres a lot to be moved

 

[jackcaptjr]

Still own the 99 5spd and the 04 6spd. Both 4X4. Agree with all the posts so far. 15K on the 04 and it shifts much better than when new but the 5spd shifts smooth as glass. 6spd shifts fine just can't rush things. Some big stuff moving down there and it takes a little more effort.

 

[WM-300]

Thanks Guys for the replies. Guess my NV-5600 is normal. Its just feels like it has a gear lube to heavy in coolder weather. It shifts ok, never a problem with it going into gear or missing shifts.



Ok, so now that I know it is not going to shift like my NV-4500, I will get it out of my mind and get on with life ha ha



Thanks

WM-300

 

[HOCummins04]

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Joe Donnelly wrote an article in last The Register (I think) about changing the fluid on his 04 NV5600 at 5,000 miles. His experience was that changing the fluid smoothed up shifting.



I found the same on my 01. 5 HO 6spd. When I went to change the fluid at something like 25,000 miles, the oil started running back out of the hole before I was close to putting the amount of fluid spec'd in Service Manual back in. Ended up jacking the truck way up to allow the rest of the fluid to go in. Substantially smoothed up shifting. Probably put 1. 5 pints more in, after jacking it up. Never hurt anything. Shifted great till I sold it with 34,000 miles.



My 04. 5 has 3900 miles on it, and when it gets to 5K I am going to change it also. I am also planning on putting one of the filter kits on from Genos when I do it. I know it is supposed to be a lifetime never change fluid, but it makes a difference.

 

[bulabula]

An oil change @ 18k in my 6 speed made a world of difference.

 

[mberry]

That would be the first thing I would do is change the fluid to see if that helps. I'm going to put Redline MTL in mine when I get it. Seems the people that use it have good results.

 

[WM-300]

Does the NV-5600 require a special oil ? I know the NV-4500 reuires a special synthetic ?



WM-300

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I tried MTL and it worked well, about the same as the stock fluid. New fluid helps a lot especially if the old stuff has a lot of powdered brass in it (synchro wear). You can get stock stuff from Standard Trans or from Autozone (Pennzoil replacement) for around $5-6 per qt.

 

[ReevesRacing]

I've changed the oil in my 5600 once and also added the Geno's filter kit. It did help shifting a little bit, and I used the stock Mopar stuff. $10. 56 a qt... ouch!



I plan on changing it again with Redline MTL to see if it makes any difference.



Problem is, Jeg's screwed up my first order and only send me 1 qt. of MTL. Then, when I ordered the other 4 qts, they send me Lightweight Shockproof Gear oil. Now I'm wondering which is better. Looks like the shockproof stuff might be the better choice?



Experience? Comments?

 

[mberry]

I sent an email a while ago to Redline. They said to use the MTL in the in the 5600. They didn't recommend anything else.

 

[ReevesRacing]

I guess I will send the other back then.



Thanks!

 

[amsoilman]

My 03' with the NV-5600 is very smooth, and it shifts nice, especially since I changed the fluid to a high quality Synthetic. (Amsoil) I changed it at 8,500 miles, and it now has 33,000 plus.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[WM-300]

Amsoilman;

What is the Amsoil number or name for the high quality synthetic you used in the NV-5600 ? What do you use in the differentials ?

What about Engine oil and at how many miles before you switch from Dyno to Synthetic ?



Thanks

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[amsoilman]

WM-300

I used the Series 3000 5W-30 in NV-5600 in accordance with the Amsoil recommendations. I use the Series 2000 75W-90 in the gear boxes, and ATF in the Xfer Case, and the HDD & Marine 15W-40 in the Engine with a "single" remote (BMK-11 & BE-100 filter element) By-Pass system.

My recommendation on changing to Synthetic oil in Engine is somewhere between 8-10,000 miles. I put mine in at 8,500 miles.



Hope this answers your ???'s.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[WM-300]

Amsoilman;

Thanks Wayne, I appreciate your help



WM-300