Nv5600

[rkressg]

trouble with 6speed

Hey, be glad you get anything done. My dealer ship claims that it (NV-5600) is normal to get some gear clash. I have stated that it is so bad, I can not get it into reverse with out putting it into 6 first, pressing next against reverse, and then letting off the clutch to pop it in. If I do not put it in 6 first, it will not go into reverse, first, or second. According to my dealer, this is normal and there is nothing to fix. The only way I can shift with out grinding while driving, is to shift like I have a RoadRanger (Not to use the clutch). After 40,000 miles on the truck, the transmission has only become tighter. It shifts like a stick in a 5 gal. bucket of 3a river rock. :{



Thanks for the quality products and service D/C:-{}

 

[rspinks]

Hmmm...

I didn't notice it was under the 360 V8 menu. Maybe DC service techs have problems finding it as well, I known my dealer wasn't familiar with it off-hand. I think the following combination has resulted in poor awareness of this problem:



1. Requirements for cold weather and cold transmission

2. Over 2500RPM shifting

3. Can't find TSB



At least this thread is generating some awareness, too bad some service guys still think the internet is full of BS! I wish more of them were TDR members.



Jtisdale, I'm not encouraged by your trend from good to bad shifting. How has it deteriorated? Grinding, notchy shifts, can't find a gear from neutral?



RS

 

[jtisdale]

Re: Hmmm...

Jtisdale, I'm not encouraged by your trend from good to bad shifting. How has it deteriorated? Grinding, notchy shifts, can't find a gear from neutral?



RS

It has always had a 2-3 shift cold grind. When it warms up, the grind goes away, no big deal there. But since 4300-4500miles it has been real notchy. Like it catches on something when I am shifting into the next gear. It does it in all gears, but 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and reverse are the worst. It doesnt matter if I am up or down shifting, at idle or 1500-3000rpm. Now, just yesterday it was really hard to get it into 1st, and THEN, I had to shut the truck off to get it into reverse. It goes to the dealer Thursday for new batteries, the LSD too loose, and the shifting problems.

I have 11,000 on it now. I seldom tow, and I never race. Abuse is not an issue, but patience wearing thin is.

Happy motoring-

 

[rspinks]

Good luck on Thursday

Let us know what happens at the stealership regarding the transmission. Hopefully they come up with some useful feedback on your shifting problems.



Not to hide the transmission problems with the NV5600 but your symptoms make me wonder if maybe the clutch started dragging.



RS

 

[JHansen]

Rich-did I email you back about fixing your transmission? I've been fighting off a cold/flu since around Monday last week and it seems to be affecting my brain. If I didn't-sorry..... they would probably fix it as opposed to replace it-yours wouldn't be the first they've touched I'm pretty sure as I know they had parts sitting around for a 3500 that the guy wanted fixed and then couldn't be bothered to bring the truck in..... I think they'd do a good job-if you want a phone # and contact name drop me a line and I'll get it to ya... ...



J

 

[yogibear]

Bad pilot brg. comes to mind... .

 

[rspinks]

transmission work

Jason, if your guys in Hanna have done this transmission TSB then I will talk to them. Southside didn't sound like they had done it yet and I don't want them learning how with mine. Send me a PM with the contact there and I'll call them tomorrow.



Rich

 

[JHansen]

Consider it done-they may not know of the TSB either as the truck I'm thinking about had the repairs authorized by the DSM... ... . but I'm sure they've been into them. Worth a call anyways.....



J

 

[rspinks]

Friction modifier!

Yep, that's what Hanna Chrysler said they used to solve the gear grind - LSD friction modifier. Only done one customers truck but said it worked fine. I'd also like to talk to this willing/unknowing guinea pig himself to discuss the before and after, I'll see if they'll give me his name tomorrow.



Jason BTW they are still waiting for the guy to drop his 3500 off for the TSB work, so they haven't been into one of the NV5600's yet.



RS

 

[JHansen]

Yeah I asked Troy tonight and got the same story... ... . let's just say they wouldn't be putting modifier in mine-although that track came from DC. Sorry man-I thought they'd done that truck already. I'm still trying to think of somewhere that's done one-I can tell you lots of places to stay away from-namely Drumheller.....



I have another idea that just popped into my head-lemme do some more research and I'll let you know.



Jason

 

[Kraut67M]

Does anyone have the text to this TSB yet? I have had these symptoms since I picked up the truck and have been 'waiting' for it to break in since then. 50K miles later, it is still doing it. Mine was built in February 00. I do have a service writeup open, but they will not find it I'm sure. Maybe this should be a recall?

Kraut67

 

[Dave Fritz]

OK, it's posted. TSB 21-009-01 NV5600 Countershaft Service Sorry about the delay, this has been a busy semester and I have not been keeping up with this forum or my web site. Dave



Date: October 15, 2001

Models: 2001 BE/BR Ram Truck



NOTE: THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 17,2001 AND EQUIPPED WITH THE NV5600 6-SPEED, HEAVY DUTY TRANSMISSION.



Discussion:



Customers may experience a shifter vibration (commonly referred to as "gear clash") of the shift knob when shifting from one gear to another between 2500 and 3500 RPM after a cold start up. This condition is most evident when ambient temperatures are at or near 0° C (32° F) but can occur at warmer temperatures as well. The condition is most often reported on 3rd to 4th gear shifting, but can occur in the other shift ranges as well. The problem can be verified by assuring the transmission is at ambient temperature, vehicle moving and, with the engine at 2500 to 3500 RPM, shifting into and out of the gear ranges.



Transmission replacements to address this issue have been excessive, partly due to the need for a 20-ton press to disassemble the countershaft assembly. If such a press is available, rebuilding the countershaft assembly is preferred. In the event a press is not available, a new countershaft assembly (PN 05073361AA) has been made available.



Follow the service procedures in the appropriate service manual (2001 BR/BE Ram Truck Service Manual Volume 2 - 81-370-1009) to complete necessary repairs. Follow normal warranty procedures to report the repairs.



CAUTION: THIS REPAIR MAY INCLUDE DISASSEMBLY OF THE COUNTERSHAFT ASSEMBLY, REQUIRING THE USE OF A 20-TON PRESS. ATTEMPTS TO USE LESSER EQUIPMENT TO EFFECT THIS REPAIR COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE OR INJURY.



Policy: Information Only

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Thanks for the post Dave.



Later,

Mark

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by Newf Limo

I am guessing that a synthetic may not be the answer either. I only had a slight hint of a third gear clash with the original oil in the transmission. I put Amsoil 5/30 in it and the next sub 0C. day it ground like crazy! You would have thought I was down shifting an idled engine. There was no finessing it in either. I will be going back to a non-synth. oil in my transmission. One thing it has done since new is not let me have any gear while stopped and at idle Just once in a great while. I remember the first time it happened, rush hour in L. A. Stopped at a red light at the end of the marina freeway. I was just a little late in noticing the light (response time . 872 sec. ) and horns started honking. It wouldn't go in any gear Not even Reverse, which I am really glad about now that I can look back through less angry eyes I never took it in due to the "we must duplicate all complaints or else they don't really exist", service protocols. It has only happened a dozen times inthe last 50k miles. Foot off the brake, a slight neutral roll and I'm back in gear and Rammin'. What can you do.

Nerf, you have all the symptoms of a clutch slave issue. When my truck was new it shifted hard and I replaced the slave with a 1/2T unit, which didn't help much. But when I put my SBC in, it was super hard to shift, ground in every gear and almost impossible to get into gear from a stop. A new, quality clutch slave made the world right. It shifts great now!



Peter at SBC is a good source for the proper clutch slave. It is much cheaper than the Dodge piece and it's only the slave instead of the whole system. It's not very difficult to replace and bleed, mine went in piece of cake.



I have almost 62,000 miles on my '01 built February 2000. It shifted stiff but never has ground unless I'm getting wild with it and racing or something then it'll grind 3-4 a bit.



Downshifts are easy into any gear and I do it constantly. This 6 speed is a joy to drive and feels great.



Vaughn

 

[Kraut67M]

Thank you Dave

Kudos to you

Kraut67m

 

[Pit Bull]

Talked with one of the diesel mechanics at my local dealership about the 6 speed problems. He said that they have replaced over six of them this past year. He said they never fix them that DC just ships them a new one for them to install.