Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) NV4500 shifting issue

[JGK]

I replaced my clutch last month with a dual-disk and upgraded the input shaft to the 1-3/8" version. Everything went back togther just fine. After installing the new shaft I made sure there was no binding or resistance in the transmission by rotating the shaft by hand.



However, right from the get-go after doing the install, the transmission has been difficult to shift, particularly at a stop. 2nd gear can be tough to shift into. Reverse often takes a shift to 5th or 3rd before I can get it into gear. For the most part, all other shifting is pretty much as it was before except the shift from 2nd to 3rd while rolling. Its not as smooth as before and takes more effort so it slows the shift process.



Anyway, as I was driving it yesterday, I was wiggling the stick while in gear and it seems to me there is a bit more play there than I remember prior to the clutch/input shaft replacement. I'm wondering if my problem is that I didn't get the shifter back into the tower correctly. I'm going to check this weekend.



Can anyone provide some help? I can't imagine that it suddenly needs a rebuild from just a clutch/input shaft install. The truck has 102K miles. I replaced the trans lube w/Castrol Syntorq at about 60K miles and added a filter system from Geno's Garage. A week or two after the clutch/shaft install I replaced the ball-of-string filter and put in new lube from Dodge (same price as ordering Syntorq!). The old lube was surprisingly clean with only a little darkening - guess the filter works!



Anyway, any ideas, particularly with respect to the shifter re-install?



TIA,

-Jay

 

[WDaniels]

I have exactly the same problem. Cept mine was an OFE clutch. After I installed the clutch it worked perfectly for 2 weeks. (approx 1000 miles) Then it started doing the hard to shift and when the clutch was pushed in all the way the truck still moved a little, telling me that the clutch wasn't totally uncoupled with the pressure plate. If I pushed the clutch in and then let it out it wouldn't go into gear at all. I would have to turn off the engine, shift into gear and start the engine. I changed the hydraulic conponents for the clutch and nada. The pilot bearing was in and not tight and after about 8,9,10 months it quit that but still is hard to get into gear. I have to shift into 3rd or 5th to get into most any other gear. If I jockey it up and down with a little force it will go into 2nd after 3 or 4 jockeys. I can't find anyone who can find the problem. I know that this no help to you but, you aren't alone.

WD

 

[JGK]

WD,



Check the "NV4500 worries" thread in the 24-valve forum. The replies by SRadke sound like he's got it figured.



-Jay

 

[WDaniels]

JGK,

Unless that brand new southbend OFE broke some springs, I've checked everything else in the 24V posts plus a couple of other. Oh well, life goes on.

WD