Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV4500 clutch question

[SRehberg]

This is my first 5spd in a '96 3500 w/49,000mi. The clutch pedal feels real soft and takes almost all of the travel to shift. I bought the truck used so I have no idea what normal is. It doesn't clash shifting but feels more like it catches the synchros rather than a nice no nonsense shift. The pedal has to be almost to the floor to shift smoothly, does this sound right? No signs of leakage from hydraulic fluid, and the reservoir is full. Thanks

 

[Matthug]

Hmm, yeah the pressure plate is definitely not disengaging all the way. It's not normal I can tell you that. Maybe someone else can help, there might be a pedal adjustment but I don't think so. Maybe a bent fork or possibly something wrong with the throwout bearing?

 

[Dr.Bob]

might be wrong trany oil.

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the replies. When I first got the truck, I changed the trans oil to be on the safe side. I bought the Castrol Syntorq from Quad 4 X 4 I think it was. Pricey, but wanted to have the correct stuff.



What should the pedal feel like? I know it's difficult to describe, but this just doesn't seem right. No chatter, slipping etc, it just doesn't seem to release as soon as I think it should. i. e. a long ways down on the pedal travel.

 

[Matthug]

Mine will release slighty past the brake pedal, not quite half of the pedal travel.

 

[rubberneck]

It could either be the pressure plate taking a dump on you or the hydraulics. I just replaced the clutch master/slave cylinder on mine and it was doing exactly what you describe. No signs of leakage, and level was ok. It progressively got worse until clutch would not disengage at all. New units come as a set pre-bled about 180 bucks from the dealer. Or you can call peter at southbend, he can hook you up. if the hydraulics dont fix it, definitely call peter and he will steer you towards the replacement that will fit your needs.

 

[MLee]

Thanks for the replies. When I first got the truck, I changed the trans oil to be on the safe side. I bought the Castrol Syntorq from Quad 4 X 4 I think it was. Pricey, but wanted to have the correct stuff.

You bought the stuff off the shelf. This oil is not recommended for these transmissions. The oil you should have got was Castrol Syntorq. This oil is made for these Transmissions and is a GL-4. oil can be bought from the Dodge dealer, or a GM dealer. You think that what you bought was pricey, check out the dealer.

You can order from Standard Transmission and get a gallon for around $55. 00, gal. or find a dealer close by and use Red Line or Royal Purple, or your friendly Amzoil dealer. Just a suggestion. And the dealer can and does charge what ever he wants for the Hydraulic set up for the clutch. I was in florida last year and payed $375. 00 for it, St Augustine, in Jacksonville it was $25. 00 cheaper, and they both had to over-nite it from Orlando, with there regular order. So see Peter or Piers.

Marv.

 

[Dr.Bob]

I ran redline for about a year and it was fine and then it went south. I was driving from Montana to Ohio and it froze up in Iowa would not shift between frist and second. I babyed to Ohio and chaned to RP same problem for about thirty miles then it just starting working again. Been doing just fine ever since.

 

[WDixon27]

i just replaced the god knows what that was in my transmission with royal purple a couple days ago and it shifts much better now

I ran redline for about a year and it was fine and then it went south. I was driving from Montana to Ohio and it froze up in Iowa would not shift between frist and second. I babyed to Ohio and chaned to RP same problem for about thirty miles then it just starting working again. Been doing just fine ever since.

 

[SRehberg]

I bought the right oil for the trans, it's kind of a lemonade color. It came in 2qt containers. It might have been from Standard Transmission, but it's been awhile. It ran $60+ to get it to my front door. It says Castrol Syntorq with the D/C and GM part no. GL-4. I couldn't find it locally. Next time though, I think Royal Purple may go back.



Rubberneck, thanks for the tip on the hydraulics, it sounds like something is going south. It is 10yrs old so it seems reasonable things are aging. From the sounds of yours mine must need some work. I looked at the slave and where it bolts up to the bell housing, things are dry as well as the master.



Thanks everyone.

 

[Matthug]

i just replaced the god knows what that was in my transmission with royal purple a couple days ago and it shifts much better now

Haha, yeah same here. The stuff that came out looked like 10w30 motor oil that has been in there for 100K+ miles, it was nasty and very thin. Shifts WAY better now, I was getting grinding into 3rd sometimes 5th but it's gone now.