NV5600 question / slight problem?

[APersondek]

Hello,



I recently mentioned in another post that my 6 speed has really loosened up in the past year and 22k miles. (Which I don’t think is a bad thing) In that time I can honestly say that I have only grinded the gear train 3 times. Once when it was two days old when I was still learning how to operate it. A second time when someone cut me off and on the 4 to 5 shift I started to go into 7th (Reverse) and once in a parking lot recently when I think the gear train was still moving when I when to back into a parking spot.



With that being said, I found that every couple thousand mile or so when I shift from 2nd to 3rd taking off from a stop I can feel gear clash or grinding as it goes into 3rd. (again feel it in the stick but not hear it) so there I was recently showing off for a friend of mine and I decided to rev out in 2nd and shift to 4th (truck really starts to move quick when you do that ) and the very next time I went to shift from 2nd to 3rd the shift completed was smooth as silk.



So the question for the experts out there is: can someone tell me what I am experiencing? Do I need to worry about? Or just I just power shift it once and a while to keep things smooth.



Questions, comments, opinions are welcomed.

 

[Sherman]

I'm no expert on the matter but once in a while I will brain fart and loose my way with the 6sd and try and go from 6 to 3,I always catch the problem before letting out the clutch,I often shift 2to4 and 3to5 and 4to6 when empty,depends on the mood,have not had the grind that you talk about on the 2to3 shift.

 

[DHess]

My '03 has been grinding going into 3rd (most of the time) since it was new. And feels notchy going into the other gears. Had two dealerships repeat and note the grind. Putting miles on to see what happens - 26K now. Last trip to Montana, dealer (Dee Motors in Anaconda - great folks) wanted to replace the transmission but star said no. They can replace the cluster and I just may let them do it the next trip up.

 

[DPelletier]

On another note, I just don't believe in the lifetime fill. My 6spd is shifting perfectly and I have only ground the gears a few times (mostly in the first 2 weeks). I plan on changing the fluid with the Pennzoil approved fluid next week (20,000 mi).



Cheers,

Dave

 

[rbattelle]

With that being said, I found that every couple thousand mile or so when I shift from 2nd to 3rd taking off from a stop I can feel gear clash or grinding as it goes into 3rd. (again feel it in the stick but not hear it)

I occasionally notice similar things. I believe your transmission is perfectly fine. It's a big heavy unit, and was never designed with smooth shifting in mind. As such, some clunkiness and occasional grinding might be expected.



It's funny, I too have kept a count of the number of times I've grinded a gear: 3 times. But I can't recall the circumstances of each time.

 

[muddyduck]

transmission

I took my truck to the dealer this morning with the problem of the transmission not shifting into second while stopped at a light. The problem began to worsen as time went on and now it will not go into sixth and sometimes reverse. The dealer test drove it and told me they had to tear down the transmission to see what is going on but suspected that the sychronizer ring was at fault. The truck only has 2200 miles on it, so I am wondering what will go wrong next. I told them flat out new truck, new transmission... period!!!!!! If they wanted to be known from here out as the five star dealership they now are, then take care of the problem. I will call dc if I have too.

 

[realsquash]

I took my truck to the dealer this morning with the problem of the transmission not shifting into second while stopped at a light. The problem began to worsen as time went on and now it will not go into sixth and sometimes reverse. The dealer test drove it and told me they had to tear down the transmission to see what is going on but suspected that the sychronizer ring was at fault. The truck only has 2200 miles on it, so I am wondering what will go wrong next. I told them flat out new truck, new transmission... period!!!!!! If they wanted to be known from here out as the five star dealership they now are, then take care of the problem. I will call dc if I have too.

I've driven an aweful lot of manual transmissions and sometimes the gears just don't line up. Sometimes the gears just stop spinning at the right point and you have to force it hard into gear (or just let up on the clutch a little and push it into gear). Some people don't push the clutch all the way when they shift either and that will make it hard to get into gear, too.



Andy

 

[DPelletier]

Muddyduck,

I don't blame you for being upset. I guess the good news is that after it is repaired (must have been a manufacturing defect since you can't wear anything out in 2200mi), statistically you should be good for an awfully long time. Regardless of the complaints of slow or notchy shifting,(which are mostly caused by the transmission being very heavy duty), the NV-5600 has proven to be a VERY robust unit. Keep in mind that should you jump up and down and demand a new truck and get it, that you might end up with the new Getrag. The Getrag may be a good transmission or it may not be. We don't know yet. Just a thought.



Dave

 

[muddyduck]

update on transmission problem at 2200 miles

I went back to the dealer today and talked to them about buying back the truck or trading me out of it. They seemed to be very positive towards making me happy, especially when I mentioned their having a five star rating loud enough. I still have to talk to the general sales manager about it, but this time I think I will go with the srw and the auto trans. I plan to get everything else the same, color and long bed. I would be glad to take any and all advice on the auto trans. Will be pulling a fiver rated at max 14,600 and empty at 12,600. I apoligize if this post is in the wrong place. . still new to the web site. . muddyduck :-{}

 

[RankRam]

Muddy I have an 03 with an auto and would kill to be in your shoes.



What I'm trying to say is stay with the six speed!



Also get an E-Brake for the load that you have. Then you can tackle any mountain with a safe and easy speed and never need to worry about hot brakes or panic stops.



Also welcome to the TDR! Oo.

 

[Fred Swanson]

The 6speed issue your having is not normal. Replace the transmission, or fix it. I'd stay with it. For what you want to use it for, I'd stay with the truck you have.



With 2200 miles, makes me think they would replace the unit, if the problem was not a simple fix.

 

[DPelletier]

I went back to the dealer today and talked to them about buying back the truck or trading me out of it. They seemed to be very positive towards making me happy, especially when I mentioned their having a five star rating loud enough. I still have to talk to the general sales manager about it, but this time I think I will go with the srw and the auto trans. I plan to get everything else the same, color and long bed. I would be glad to take any and all advice on the auto trans. Will be pulling a fiver rated at max 14,600 and empty at 12,600. I apoligize if this post is in the wrong place. . still new to the web site. . muddyduck :-{}

If you have decided after driving the truck for 2200mi that you just don't like shifting, then by all means go ahead and trade for the auto, BUT if you're thinking about the auto because you had trouble with the NV5600, I would suggest that you rethink your decision until you change your mind.



For hauling the load you are suggesting, the NV-5600 is the better choice (everything else being equal). Oh, and it sounds like you'd be over GVWR with the SRW as well. No offense, but you're going the wrong way!



Dave

 

[muddyduck]

thanks for the advice

I appreciate the advice that everyone has given. After doing some research on the threads, I believe that I will stay with the six speed. I seems that the syncronizer rings were be chewed up by something and they were only replacing those items. I should be back in business by next Tuesday. I still feel like pressing them to a new transmission at least, but they say it will be good as new. The dealer is a five star dealer and has been in Tulsa for 20 years.

muddyduck (cb handle... walmart driver)

 

[ramtifosi]

After about 2,000 miles added a BD Short Shift and found the upshifts no change and down shifts where toughter than stock, then changed fuild to Redline MTL (10,000 miles) and found the upshifts about the same but the difference was dramatic on the downshifts, still not perfect (as in the sportcar range, but this is not a F1 gearbox or my 928S) but I will never go back! (presently at 20,000 miles). BTW would never give up the short shift either.

 

[amsoilman]

I find that the NV-5600 can be shifted very easily IF it is done by allowing the stick to center to the Neutral position. This transmission is designed so the neutral position is "spring loaded". If you allow the stick to "find" neutral when shifting, it will shift much easier, and smoother! If you have to force the stick at anytime, you are going to grind the gears!



My take on this!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[klenger]

All this talk about manually shifting gears get's me all excited.

 

[DPelletier]

Better take a cold shower Ken!

I'm going outside to change the oil in my sexy NV-5600!



Dave

 

[DanWilson]

Guys, guys- for the life of me there are two things I just can't figure out. ( these trucks are for pullin' stuff- try to keep that in mind) Why would you ever want a limp wristed auto when you intend on tiein' a trailer on behind and 2) why in the world do some of you order one tons (3500) and then downgrade the package with single rear wheels?
Dan

 

[Cattletrkr]

and 2) why in the world do some of you order one tons (3500) and then downgrade the package with single rear wheels?

Dan

Because the 2 extra tires aren't the only 2 "items" the wife's got control of. :-laf I may be single, but at least my truck ain't.

 

[klenger]

Because it fit's in the garage, get's better milage, cost's less for 4 than 6, and it does tne job for me.



I do agree about the xmission.