Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) nv 5600 transmission rebuild

[SeanM]

Well it looks like its time to rebuild my nv5600. I know how to build manual trannys but I don't have access to the press I need to do it, so that forces me to have someone do it for me. I found a shop that will build it for $500 dollars (bench labor only) and priced the parts from different companys for around $750 (I need a new input shat as well as bearings and seals). But now I am hearing from different companys that if I don't have it "updated" that it will be usless to rebuild it. They said that fluid doesnt reach one of the rear bearings on the mainshaft and that causes it to burn up. They said when they "update" them they some how re-route fluid to the bearing. But to have them update and rebuild my transmission it cost $3000 plus the shipping. My question is should I actually send it out and have them update and rebuild it for $3000 or just have my local shop rebuild it with the parts I want and run it a quart over full for $1200 to $1300?

 

[MMeier]

Well it looks like its time to rebuild my nv5600. I know how to build manual trannys but I don't have access to the press I need to do it, so that forces me to have someone do it for me. I found a shop that will build it for $500 dollars (bench labor only) and priced the parts from different companys for around $750 (I need a new input shat as well as bearings and seals). But now I am hearing from different companys that if I don't have it "updated" that it will be usless to rebuild it. They said that fluid doesnt reach one of the rear bearings on the mainshaft and that causes it to burn up. They said when they "update" them they some how re-route fluid to the bearing. But to have them update and rebuild my transmission it cost $3000 plus the shipping. My question is should I actually send it out and have them update and rebuild it for $3000 or just have my local shop rebuild it with the parts I want and run it a quart over full for $1200 to $1300?

My experience with a 5600 rebuild is no one can get them right the first time around... or the second... or the third... or the fourth! #@$%! getting the picture here? NV stopped making these 3. 5 years ago and all you have for "parts" is overseas garbage, regardless of where your shop tells you they come from. Have to drop off my getrag core at Blumenthals in OKC this Friday morning, was going to take my "spare" 5600 back to have them look at also, but I'm waiting to see how a conversion to a "real" 6 speed turns out. that is covered in another thread on this site. And if that "update" is what I think it is, all it involves is drilling a couple of holes in the case in a certain area to allow the lube to reach that rear bearing. Running a quart over helps to lube the front 'pocket" bearing in the front of the unit. , especially when going up hill. I'm sure others will chime in here also.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

nv4500 is probably the best performance transmission, people want more gears so they gave it to them, they didn't get rid of it because it was a bad transmission. The only thing I ever hear go bad on them is the 5th gear nut. Got a buddy with a 2001 5speed and we are gonna go though it this winter so that its ready for pulling next year (dual disk, input shaft). I will have to do some searching on the fluid deal, the only time I heard of anything was on the newer trucks where they found out that it needed a quart more than what they were putting in it.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yup, I'm a 4500 fan! if the 5600 in my '04 starts giving me grief, I'll be rounding up swap parts for a 4500 install

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Blumenthal's is having the parts for the 5600 made in Italy, so new parts are available.

There is no "update" to the transmission. Last I knew Blumenthal's was "thinking" about drilling holes above the rear main bearing so the gears in the back section of the housing will "hopefully" sling oil up on the housing and as it drains back down some of it will run through the holes and lube the bearing. As far as I know they have not tried it yet but I haven't talked to them for a while.

I do know that I put 12 qts in my 5600 reman with the blessing of Blumenthal. They had a 5600 ready to go on the dyno so I asked them to fill it up to the bottom of the rear main bearing and 12 qts is what it took. I had to pour the 12 qts in through the shifter housing. While driving up and down hills some of the oil came out the rear seal and was slung on the exhaust creating another unique odor from my truck. After enough oil came out the seal the oil level got to the point it doesn't do it anymore. How much came out? Don't know but I will be changing the oil at the 100,000 mile mark next month and will measure how much comes out. The amount will go back in but it will be Royal Purple this time as I had good results with it last time I used it. Currently it has Blumenthal's oil per the warranty.

Sean,

Why are you rebuilding? Do you KNOW the parts are bad? I would not let just any ole' shop work on a 5600 as it is a unique transmission to say the least. Make sure to put oil in that is specifically for this transmission. Have you called Blumenthal's to see what rebuilding your transmission with only the parts it need would cost? Talk with Alan and tell him I sent you.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[MMeier]

Trent, I'll be beating up on Alan Friday morning when I drop off my getrag core from the '93. Just got it back this evening, also have to see why my guys had to redrill 2 holes and shorten my rear shaft 5/8". Man, the 4500 in the '93 shifts pretty slick, if only my 5600 shifted 1/4 as good!:{ wanted to take the '93 back, but don't want to use this 2300 mile trip as a one way road test either. have to be back here with a customers trailer from Shawnee Saturday morning.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

wow did i read the topic way wrong, thought this was a 4500 topic, my bad.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Way to go mopartech! No harm done!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Blumenthal's is having the parts for the 5600 made in Italy, so new parts are available.



There is no "update" to the transmission. Last I knew Blumenthal's was "thinking" about drilling holes above the rear main bearing so the gears in the back section of the housing will "hopefully" sling oil up on the housing and as it drains back down some of it will run through the holes and lube the bearing. As far as I know they have not tried it yet but I haven't talked to them for a while.



I do know that I put 12 qts in my 5600 reman with the blessing of Blumenthal. They had a 5600 ready to go on the dyno so I asked them to fill it up to the bottom of the rear main bearing and 12 qts is what it took. I had to pour the 12 qts in through the shifter housing. While driving up and down hills some of the oil came out the rear seal and was slung on the exhaust creating another unique odor from my truck. After enough oil came out the seal the oil level got to the point it doesn't do it anymore. How much came out? Don't know but I will be changing the oil at the 100,000 mile mark next month and will measure how much comes out. The amount will go back in but it will be Royal Purple this time as I had good results with it last time I used it. Currently it has Blumenthal's oil per the warranty.



Sean,



Why are you rebuilding? Do you KNOW the parts are bad? I would not let just any ole' shop work on a 5600 as it is a unique transmission to say the least. Make sure to put oil in that is specifically for this transmission. Have you called Blumenthal's to see what rebuilding your transmission with only the parts it need would cost? Talk with Alan and tell him I sent you.



Godspeed,

Trent

I thought the three holes worked in conjunction with the overfilling technique. Learn something new everyday. The case I saw had three holes drilled.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

ThrottleJockey,

If three holes were drilled in the case AND it was filled with 10 to 11 qts of oil I would say it certainly won't hurt anything and MIGHT very well help lube the bearing. Certainly worth trying. As I said, Blumenthal hadn't got to the point of actually drilling the holes yet when I picked up my reman so it certainly isn't happening for me at the moment. Hopefully there will not be another reman in my future!

Where ya live, TJ?

BTW,

It has been awhile since I watched the "kid's" 5600 video but if I remember correctly he shows the rear main bearing plainly and all the damage done to it which is a great illustration of the need for "oil, Oil, OIL!!!!"

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[MMeier]

blacksheep

... met Alan yesterday when I dropped off the getrag out of the '93. Pretty cool guy! Man, these guys have 5600's coming out their ears back there!!! Might wait a few weeks and go get one for the dually... . $2995 for the trans . $1000 core charge!

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

MMeier,

Did you ask Alan about his son the football player?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

While there was clear damage to the rollers seen in the pics on the 5600 rebuild, I didn't see any significant evidence of heat, which I would expect if lack of lube was the issue:



#ad




- looked more like pitting from lube debris contamination from other shed particles in the transmission - but I'm certainly no bearing/transmission expert...



Sure was a well done piece tho'...



OH, by the way, I've added another quart of lube to my transmission - 8. 5 quarts now, with cooler and filter assembly installed - no real impressions yet as to benefits...

 

[MMeier]

MMeier,



Did you ask Alan about his son the football player?



Godspeed,

Trent

Ummm, no, was I supposed to?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

MMeier,

When I was there Alan had a picture of his son in football garb so I asked him about it. His face lights up and he starts talking about one of his favorite things in life. One of the best ways to get somebody comfortable with you, ask about something they have in their office and then shut up and listen attentively.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[ThrottleJockey]

ThrottleJockey,



If three holes were drilled in the case AND it was filled with 10 to 11 qts of oil I would say it certainly won't hurt anything and MIGHT very well help lube the bearing. Certainly worth trying. As I said, Blumenthal hadn't got to the point of actually drilling the holes yet when I picked up my reman so it certainly isn't happening for me at the moment. Hopefully there will not be another reman in my future!



Where ya live, TJ?



BTW,



It has been awhile since I watched the "kid's" 5600 video but if I remember correctly he shows the rear main bearing plainly and all the damage done to it which is a great illustration of the need for "oil, Oil, OIL!!!!"



Godspeed,

Trent

Fort Wayne.



Yeah, I'm with you, I'd like to try it, too. Like you said, can't hurt nuthin. (We hope!)

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Gary,

I agree there appears to be no heat issue with that particular bearing but if the transmission had been lubed better (more oil to do the job, reach more parts) could the pitting be greatly reduced or eliminated?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

ThrottleJockey,



If three holes were drilled in the case AND it was filled with 10 to 11 qts of oil I would say it certainly won't hurt anything and MIGHT very well help lube the bearing. Certainly worth trying. As I said, Blumenthal hadn't got to the point of actually drilling the holes yet when I picked up my reman so it certainly isn't happening for me at the moment. Hopefully there will not be another reman in my future!



Where ya live, TJ?



BTW,



It has been awhile since I watched the "kid's" 5600 video but if I remember correctly he shows the rear main bearing plainly and all the damage done to it which is a great illustration of the need for "oil, Oil, OIL!!!!"



Godspeed,

Trent

What is exactly is the "kids" video? Did someone record themselves rpairong their 5600? If so, where could I view this thing? I am already sick of jamming mine into 3rd downshifting... pulling a trailer is so nice if I can use the engine/transmission to slow myself along with pacbrake and trailer brakes.

Also, could I get a # for Blumenthal's? I'm not positive I want to rebuild the thing myself but perhaps I could get some good advice from them or something... . at least get some parts prices.



thanks guys

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

What is exactly is the "kids" video? Did someone record themselves rpairong their 5600? If so, where could I view this thing? I am already sick of jamming mine into 3rd downshifting... pulling a trailer is so nice if I can use the engine/transmission to slow myself along with pacbrake and trailer brakes.

Also, could I get a # for Blumenthal's? I'm not positive I want to rebuild the thing myself but perhaps I could get some good advice from them or something... . at least get some parts prices.



thanks guys

Here ya go:



DIY: Transmission Work NV5600

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

WyBoy,

The Blumenthal Companies - Transmissions, Engines, Drivelines and all Powertrain Products

Godspeed,
Trent