NV5600, Check Your Oil, Check All Fluids!

[GCroyle]

I was in AZ last week and a trans shop had an NV5600 apart for some serious repair that they stated was due to low oil. The case had about 1 quart in it and they also stated that it did not have any exterior visible leak stains to account for the loss or low oil. Truck was one owner and about 77,000 miles. The major damage was to 1st gear bearing if I'm remembering correctly. The one image shows the remains of the bearing needles.



Looks like they need to find a more through shop for their regular service, but I'm just armchair speculating.



Nope, I'm not recommending anything other that keep your eye on fluid levels.

 

[JCasper]

Wow, that's ugly.

 

[klenger]

Was the transmission ever serviced before the failure?

 

[GCroyle]

Service records?

Klenger, I don't know. The owner is a rancher and has owned a series of handshakers over the years, ain't his first Rodeo.



One of my questions that is unanswered is the following:



This truck just got a clutch installation about 6 months back, now it is down for a transmission rebuild. Did the installer check the gearbox for oil level as a normal service for this procedure? I sorta doubt it, but thats my opinion. Everyone stated that it did not show any visible external signs of leak and in AZ they stated that it would have shown up as caked on dirt,etc. If they would have checked it, he might not be looking at this major repair.



If we would all check those out of sight fluids on a regular basis, talk about long term payback!

 

[jelag]

I used to use a local lube service until I personally was there 2x's and didn't see the guy grab a wrench and check the boxes... As I own several trucks and can't afford (read, don't care for out of town breakdowns) problems we trained one of our guys to check each truck when we do oil changes... .

We have not had problems since..... we now chart these checks on a board... . it costs more to do these in house but its cheaper than a transmission or other failure out of town.....

 

[Midnight]

I'll bet that since there were no leaks, and the clutch was done just 6mths prior, who ever did the job drained the trans down thinking they won't make a mess when pulling the trans down.

 

[GCroyle]

I have no further information without contacting the shop for a follow up.



Maybe the owner needs to have a man to man with the shop that installed the clutch, cause my bet is that they didn't drain it, its a 2WD, so no t-case, I think they just didn't check it, period.



I am sure going to add that point to my Clutch Clinic presentations. An I bet Jelag will add it to his HD classes too, right Jim?



I bought some for our 1997 today so I can check it this weekend.



Happy thanksgiving everyone.

 

[nickleinonen]

hmm. . i guess i should have checked mine when i serviced my truck on sunday... [front/rear diffs, engine oil & filter]

 

[HCannon]

Dont know where it goes. You had better check it on a regular bases. My transmission man said most of rebuilts are from no oil ar wrong oil. Just wish the check point wasnt on the bottom side.

 

[steved]

hmm. . i guess i should have checked mine when i serviced my truck on sunday... [front/rear diffs, engine oil & filter]

I need to change mine, so I'm in the same boat. My only thing with this mysterious loss is that either it happened all at once (not evident on the trans) or it happened really slow (which should have been caught in routine maintenance)??



One bit of advice, watch your tailgate (if you have one). If you spring even a slight drip, it will end up on the tailgate in the form of wet spots. I found a slightly cracked trans line in Grants, NM one day watching the tailgate.



steved