Archived NV5600 Cannot get in gear

[GDrury]

2000 3500 4x4 with NV5600. 131388 miles.





It appears that I can move between gears with the engine off but can't select a gear with the truck running. I can feel the slave cylinder moving with my hand and someone pressing the clutch in. Wife was driving and she said she heard a loud squeal while at a stop in 2nd gear with the clutch applied. When she tried to release she heard another squeal then could not get it back in gear. She can't remember if it jumped out or if she moved it to neutral. Did I loose the clutch or maybe the lever broke? I drove the truck yesterday about 100 mile trip and was fine on the first leg and noticed on the way home that it was getting more difficult to engage 2nd gear at a stop. No liquid around the slave cyclinder is visible and the reservoir is full. Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I am not looking forward to dropping the transmission and transfer case with a trip to Florida planned in 3 weeks.

 

[Slow Six]

My guess is the pilot bearing is gone. They tend to go dry and then start to seize so the input shaft keeps turning at engine speed. This happened to me on my 94 2500. Luckily I caught in in time before any damage was done. Bearing is inexpensive but transmission needs to be R & R. My experience with this is it is also time to replace throw out bearing and maybe even clutch while it is all apart. I got a complete clutch and new fly wheel from Southbend last year for my 03. I am glad I went this route as I do not have access to a competent shop to resurface a fly wheel. This way every thing is new a works and I only had to do the job once.

 

[Skydiver]

Sounds like the pilot bearing is gone. Might be good news as you can upgrade the clutch/pressure plate while all is out.



Note: The fastest way to destroy a throwout bearing is allowing your foot to touch (much less rest on it) the clutch pedal while under way.

 

[HBarlow]

Keeping the transmission in gear and the clutch disengaged (pedal down) during traffic light delays contributes to early failure of the throwout bearing. After repairs you may want to avoid this practicce if you and/or other drivers are doing it.

 

[GCroyle]

A clarification about our bearings, pilot and clutch release or throw out bearing.



1. The release bearing is turning if the engine is running. The load applied to the bearing ranges from 15-20 Lbf with the clutch engaged (pedal up) to a peak of about 500 lbf about 1/3 of the way to the floor to 300 lbf at the floorboard. Yes, keeping your foot on the clutch pedal excessively decreases the service life of the release bearing.



2. Pilot bearing, two situations. First, engine running, trans in neutral and clutch engaged (pedal up) this situation does not have a RPM difference between the engine and input shaft, no wear on pilot bearing.

Second situation, think of being stopped at a traffic light for this one. Engine running, clutch released (pedal down) transmission in gear. Now the engine is running but the input shaft is not turning. Pilot bearing is being used, consumed, clock is running.



Like Harvey points out, put it in neutral at a light, take your foot off of the clutch pedal and you have minimized the load and wear time on both bearings.



As to your original problem, the squeal and shifting problem goes along nicely with the pilot bearing diagnosis.

 

[GDrury]

Thanks for the response

That Pilot Bearing does not get a lot of thought until something like this happens. I started the truck in 1st with the clutch engaged, it tried to move the truck on the starter until the pilot bearing broke loose and it did, At least for long enough to move the truck forward a tad. The Wrecker dropped me off to close to the house to unload the Fridge in the bed! I always shift to neutral and let the clutch out at traffic lights. Most of my driving is on the Interstate pulling 13,000 plus fifth wheel. Guess I will place an order with Southbend and replace everything while the transmission is out. Shame for what must be less than a $10. 00 part.

 

[GAmes]

SBC has a roller bearing for the pilot. Haven't had a bit of problem with mine. Has about 160k on it.

 

[Grizzly]

Good lesson to be learned here. Thanks GCroyle.

 

[BDaugherty]

Sounds like the throwout bearing (release bearing) to me. Double check that it isn't in the clutch hydraulics anyway.

 

[Bob V]

Gcroyel, not to be picky but that should be pounds of force if it is in a straight line. ftlbs is is a rotational force .

 

[GCroyle]

Bob V,



I did use Lbf, Pounds / force, I forgot to capitalize the L twice, my bad.



Biggest point we can all use is considering the clutch as a savings account that does not pay interest into itself and each time you use the clutch in any form, you are making a withdrawal.



Spend it wisely or you will be buying a clutch system sooner than later.

 

[GDrury]

New Clutch Installed

Slow Six





Dead on with the diagnosis. Pilot Bearing was almost Dust! New 13" SouthBend upgrade installed yesterday and almost complete. I need to re-install the shafts and add back the lube today but don't expect any issues. Thanx to bunch of folks here with tips concerning the replacement "IE Spread the Frame for the crossmember" things went pretty good and no suprises.