Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 Syncros?

[DSeamans]

My world has gone to hell in a handbasket lately. Other threads show how much I've had to fix recently. Father-in-law had heart surgery and didn't wake up for 3 days and looks like he had a major stroke. Now this. I've had the 4-3 shift grinding problems. I've used factory, amsoil, and currently Royale Purple. After 5k miles it came back. Now the 2-3 is doing the same thing and getting bad in a hurry. I have less than 10k on the RP. Is there much of a chance a fluid change will help again? Or with the 2-3 grinding am I needing a rebuild?#@$%! When it warms up its better, but I still have wait for the rpm's to drop to near idle to go up to third. I have tried the LSD additive and it hasn't helped. I have to fix this quick, Please help.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Sageair]

Can't help you with the transmission problem but I hope your father-in-law recovers back to perfect.

 

[rkressg]

I am sorry to hear about your rather-in-law. I wish for a speedy full recovery.

On the transmission, once it starts grinding like that, there is not much you can do. Getting a rebuilt 6-speed is the best option. That transmission is a major PITA to rebuild (many large and special tools/pullers) and parts are getting hard to find.

The bad part, a rebuilt unit will run about $3,000 just for the transmission. While you are in there, you will want to change the clutch also, not to mention the labor to install if you do not do it your self.

-Rich

 

[FLynes]

Dave,



Sorry to hear about your father-in-law... I'll keep him in my thoughts.



As for your transmission, if it's been less than 10K on the rebuild, take it back to whoever did it and tell them to do it right this time or get your money back and take it to a reputable shop, hell even a good Dodge dealer. I had problems with my intermediate shaft bearing and needed a rebuild. It took three weeks to get it done, because parts are getting hard to find.



From what you describe, it sounds like your synchros are the culprit, and I wonder if they even replaced them, when you got it rebuilt. I would ask them for a list of parts they used, if you don't already have that on your invoice.



I had my trusted Dodge dealer do my NV5600 at 95,000. I now have 123,600 and everything is still as it should be.



Good luck with everything.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Just out of curiosity, how are you guys tearing up your trannies?

 

[FLynes]

Mine was torn up, when I bought it... . torn up is a bit harsh of a word... . it would whine, until I depressed the clutch. I spoke to both the original owner and the second owner (I'm the third)... the first owner towed a 35' 5er and the second owner didn't really tell me what he did with it, but the holes in the bed (on the wheel wells and the four holes in the bed itself) tell me enough... . he was towing too much.



Since I've had it rebuilt, I've towed a 31' Airstream, a 26' Thoroughbred horse trailer and an 18' Bass Tracker. When I hit a hill, the truck goes in 5th gear, but I do keep it in 6th on flat ground... . I can't deal with keeping it in 5th the whole time... sounds like the motor is going to blow up!



I have been toying with the idea of FAST coolers, but I don't know enough about them, and I really haven't seen enough threads about it.

 

[DSeamans]

ROYAL PURPLE sucks!

The good news is my father-in-law came out of the coma. The bad news is the transmission is junk. #@$%! 7000 miles ago, I put royal purple synchromax in. Whe I changed it, the only issue was a slight 4-3 problem when cold and the temp was below freezing. As soon as transmission temp was above 50* it was fine. The gears looked brand new - there was no wear at all. Tonight I drained the oil and it looked like high metallic paint. The synchro rings are so sloppy you can see them wiggle through the pto hole while turning the gears by hand. Third gear teeth have cracks in them. The best part is that since I put the stuff in, I have been driving for mileage and haven't towed anything. I guess I should have stayed with the amsoil and a SLIGHT 4-3 issue! Use RP with care and check it often!



Dave



p. s. Where is the best place to pick up a 5600?

 

[FLynes]

... p. s. Where is the best place to pick up a 5600?

Try Blumenthal Heavy Duty, Inc. Welcome to Blumenthal Manufacturing



Their other website should get you what you need: The Blumenthal Companies - Transmissions, Engines, Drivelines and all Powertrain Products



Their number is (888) 236-4800.



If they don't have em, I got nothing else.



Good luck.

 

[DSeamans]

Blumenthal was the place! Great prices and gave me a deal on a con OFE kit. I had never heard of them and they didn't come up when I googled "reman transmissions". I found out my brother lives near them and has used them a few times. They have a great reputation in the area.



Thanks,

Dave

 

[FLynes]

Blumenthal did the rebuild on your crapped out NV5600?????

 

[DSeamans]

Blumenthal did the rebuild on your crapped out NV5600?????

Not the dead one, They just gave me a heck of a price on a reman with complete clutch kit. Alan was the guy I talked to and seemed super to deal with. His reman price was cheaper than the junk yard specials around here!

 

[DSeamans]

RP backs it up?

I sent a nastygram to RP and they responded in a hurry. It went up the ladder in the company and it was an engineer/manager that contacted me. We discussed the history since new to the current issue. He said if it was related to the oil at all they would take care of it. He also said to have Blumenthals examine it as they rebuild it to see what they thought happened. If it was not just the synchro and showed oil related wear through out, they would go by that. I called blumenthal back to ask if they would analize it. They said no problem and then said 99% of all NV5600 issues are oil related! We'll see what happens in a couple of weeks.



Dave

 

[FLynes]

Dave,



It's good to know that Royal Purple will step up to the plate and take care of you, if the failure is related to their product... . Good on them!!!



Glad to see that Blumenthal's is taking care of you. By the way, how much is a reman'd unit going for? If you don't want to post it on here, PM me.

 

[kscheffler]

What oil does Blumenthals recommend?

 

[ABarrey]

Sounds like you guys are talkin' about what I'm lookin' for.

Sorry to butt in but I've got slight grinding going into 4th and on a steep hill in 4-high I can't hardly get into 1st or reverse. It feels like I'm gonna break it off. I'm guessin' synchros going out but Maybe I should try somethin' else first like a different gear oil?

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Andy

 

[DSeamans]

Fluid

What oil does Blumenthals recommend?

He recommended only mopar/Texaco or the penzoil 3501. He also said to use 7 quarts. The dealer said it called for four qts and he said min is 5. They say 7 to keep the rear bearing wet. That and the synchros are the most common failures. He said if you use the other synthetics, keep a close eye on it.

 

[DSeamans]

Andy, try changing the fluids first. Take the PTO cover off after draining and see how much metal there is. take a flashlight and look at the gears where they mesh. They should be smooth with no visible lines. If it is shot, I highly recommend Blumenthals. I dealt with Alan. 888-236-4800



Dave

If you have to pull it, do the clutch while your at it unless it has very low miles. It is a PITA getting at it and you don't want to do it twice.

 

[ABarrey]

OK, Thanks Dave-so you don't think it could just be syncros? I have 178,000 on it and was thinking about a South Bend Clutch when I did have to replace it. And you reccomend the Royal Purple or?

 

[FLynes]

He recommended only mopar/Texaco or the penzoil 3501. He also said to use 7 quarts. The dealer said it called for four qts and he said min is 5. They say 7 to keep the rear bearing wet. That and the synchros are the most common failures. He said if you use the other synthetics, keep a close eye on it.

7 Quarts? I thought overfilling the NV5600 caused frothing, which destroyed the trans. According to this website, Where to buy NV-5600 transmission fluid , they recommend 4. 75 Quarts.



I would hate to kill my trans, especially after a rebuild.

 

[DSeamans]

I at this time DO NOT recommend Royal Purple. The Penzoil 3501 is the same as factory.



Fred, I just called to ask about about the overfilling. He said 7 qts is not an issue. They have one guy who has been running 3 gal for 6 mos and over 50,000miles and his looks like new. They DO NOT recommend 3 gals but say 7 qts will not hurt, only help. That is not from me but the guys we reman them every day. I think I'll trust them as they are the biggest there is.



Dave