Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 and/or Clutch Issues

[kscheffler]

My 2001 with NV5600 and OEM clutch is acting up. When backing up it I have to use the clutch multiple times in less than a minute I start to loose "throw distance" on the clutch. I only have a couple inches of disengagement distance with the clutch being depressed. I also noticed that the clutch will "let loose" and the tires will spin on gravel surface. It only does this if I push in the clutch multiple times in one backing event. Not sure it might do the the same when moving forward but I only noticed it when backing up. What do you think this is the master cylinder is going bad or is this a symptom of the clutch plate slipping? Thanks guys in advance.

 

[samsonite01]

Is any oil from rear main gettin in there? I point blame on slave cylinder first. How many miles on clutch?

 

[NIsaacs]

Sounds like your hydraulics are bad, I would change them both.

Nick

 

[kscheffler]

Thanks I agree it must have some thing to do with hydraulics. WHen you say change them both is that the slave and the master cylinder? I have 160k on the clutch system and it has never been opened or worked on.

 

[gtwitch]

Make sure you don't have an issue with the pilot bearing/bushing, I had one wad up or start to fail and seize and that acted just like that in both forward and especially in reverse. I ordered a clutch kit from NAPA and received it before I started the replacement tear down and my clutch (119k miles) was still OK but I replaced the OEM with NAPA china chincy kit and had to do it over with Southbend at 160K miles. If I had discovered the pilot bearing, I might have gotten by with just replacing the pilot and probably gone over the 175k mark or more, Who knows.

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[kscheffler]

The transmission shop thinks it is the pilot bearing/bushing also. Does the 2001 NV5600 have a bushing or a bearing? Is it a lot less of a tear down if he only needs to replace the pilot bearing vs. the clutch plate assembly?

 

[gtwitch]

kscheffler, I think that all of the Dodge/Ram Cummins have the roller bearing pilot and most of the clutch kits out there have the replacement roller bearing, but some of the shops and others out there that will say to put the bushing in. I put the bearing in only because I had it in hand and did not want to wait for a bushing to come. I did lube it with a mixture of white lithium grease and my own concoction of moly-Di and it has been over 5 years and 70k miles so far.
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[kscheffler]

Interesting that some think that a bushing is better than a roller bearing wonder why?

 

[GCroyle]

NV4500, NV5600 and G56 DMF OE were all built with an open needle bearing.

Ford, GM and Dodge have used them quite a bit. Back in the points and condenser days, bushings were also choice of the day.

YMMV

 

[HHhuntitall]

The "Oilite" bearings, or bronze impregnated bushings, have their place. I don't think on the nose shaft of my transmission is a place for one. I machine all my flywheels to take the ball bearing used by several mfgs, such as South Bend Clutch.... The stock needle bearings don't hold up very well with additional horsepower and heavy hauling. While it's possible the needle bearing came apart, I'd think there would be a vibration when clutched, as well as a good shudder and growling on take off, as the transmission gear rollover would be fairly noisy without the front shaft supported. I commonly see the slave and master cylinder fail, about as much as the center pilot needle bearings....

 

[NIsaacs]

When backing up it I have to use the clutch multiple times in less than a minute I start to loose "throw distance" on the clutch. I only have a couple inches of disengagement distance with the clutch being depressed. I also noticed that the clutch will "let loose" and the tires will spin on gravel surface. It only does this if I push in the clutch multiple times in one backing event.

The above description points to hydraulics going south. I would replace both units. I am on my third set with the '01, 295k miles.

Nick