Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stiff Shifting Six Speed

[THartfield]

I have a 2001 HO six speed with about 40K on it. It has always been a little stiff shifting up into third and fourth - especially down into third. It seems to be getting worse over the last few months.



Has anyone encountered this with their transmission? Any addidtives, etc that could be used? Anyone had master cylinder problems?



Thanks.

 

[dan_gilson]

My 5 speed got better with an oil change. If you have missed any shifts this is especially true.

 

[Mundgyver]

I started with Amsoil in the transmission and then switched to Redline which helped out. I got the best benifit when I installed my short shift kit. . Thats my experience I also have a twin set of fast coolers installed with a huge bar magnet on the inside of the left one.

 

[CRSmith]

THIS is a good read on the subject.

 

[lkuykendall]

The 6-speed in my 2001 H. O. did the exact same thing. It was very stiff, especially going into 3rd. I guess I got used to it but when someone else would drive my pickup, they would always complain so I took it to the dealer. The mechanic test drove it and was back in less than 5 minutes. His comment was "order a transmission for the pickup, it's a workout trying to drive that truck". McKinney Dodge ordered a transmission and had it installed 2 days later. The pickup had 13,511 miles on it at the time. I now have 32,000 miles with no problems.





Len

 

[klenger]

I think there was a TSB for the early 6 speeds for this problem. I've never had any problems with mine.



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/21-009-01.htm

 

[RustyJC]

Mine was a little "notchy" early, but either I've gotten used to it or it's gotten better. No complaints at 16,000 miles.



Rusty

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by lkuykendall

The 6-speed in my 2001 H. O. did the exact same thing. It was very stiff, especially going into 3rd. I guess I got used to it but when someone else would drive my pickup, they would always complain so I took it to the dealer. The mechanic test drove it and was back in less than 5 minutes. His comment was "order a transmission for the pickup, it's a workout trying to drive that truck". McKinney Dodge ordered a transmission and had it installed 2 days later. The pickup had 13,511 miles on it at the time. I now have 32,000 miles with no problems.





Len

I agree with Len, take it to the dealer. You have a 7/70 warranty on the drive train. Use it. Don't put anything in your transmission that will void the warranty, until it is out of warranty. JMHO

 

[Dane]

If you have not changed transmission oil, try that 1st. Mine gets easier to shift every time I change it. I use the factory recommended lube oil. Regardless of what anyone tells you, the transmission in not "lubed for life" with the oil from the factory.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I tried to get my dealer to change my 6 speed fluid at 15,000 miles. The said that the fluid in there is good for 100,000 miles and they would advise against changing it. I was floored. No fluid is good in a HD trans for that long. I wanted it changed to get the break-in fluid out. Then they said that it is sealed and isn't drained easily.



How do you REALLY drain the fluid on this trans, and how hard is it? Is my dealer blowing smoke up my a**? They should do it if I'm willing to pay for it, right? Even if their Dodge Bible tells them otherwise. I can't be nailed for voiding warranty for having my dealer change it with factory approved fluid early, right?



Now at 23,000 miles and original fluid. Shifts fine, I just don't like knowing the original fluid is in there, especially with winter approaching in northern Minnesota.



What should I do?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Duluth Diesel



How do you REALLY drain the fluid on this trans, and how hard is it?

Do a search on the 6 speed and you will find threads on changing the fluid. I plan on changing mine at 50K miles. But I don't haul or tow very often. I would advise you use the Mopar fluid to keep from voiding your warranty. There are members that have over 100K miles on their 6 speed and never have changed the fluid with no problem.

 

[dan_gilson]

I don't have a 6 speed but your owners manual should state what the interval is for fluid change. On the 5 speeds it is 30K or ?2years?.



I have not seen a 6 speed up close. If it has a side cover just pull the bottom most bolt and the oil will drain. There should be a fill hole ~1/2 way up. You will need a pump.

 

[tpruitt]

Heres a question for you. i have posed a couple times on this topic. I have a 6 speed and about 25% of the time it will not go into gear from a standstill. this mainly happens when you are at a stop light and you go to put it into gear and it just wont go. Is not that it is grinding, it just wont go. also sometime when you stop it is hard to get out of gear. this does not happen as often but it does happen. Also when you are letting out on the clutch It has gotten really grabby not a smooth engagement. this is mainly from a second gear start. Hope fully i will be pulling the trans out next weekend to see what is going on. have any of you had these symptoms.





Trey

 

[dan_gilson]

tpruitt, I am not a tranmission guy but what I suspect is that you have left the clutch in when you took it out of gear and left the clutch in. In this case I believe that all the syncros have stopped spinning. It the gears do not line up they just will not go in. What I suggest is to pop the clutch out and then push it back to the floor. It should drop into gear then.



I get the same thing with the 5 speed.



If this is what is happening, it is best not to leave the clutch in. Eventually the throwout bearing will get hot and sieze.

 

[EricBu12]

The 6 speed is EASY to change the fluid.



The bottom bolt of the PTO plate is the drain for the transmission. I did both sides... .



There is a side bolt about halfway up the drivers side for the fill. See specs for fill quantity

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

My 6 speed was a little stiff when new. Nothing that really bothered me still easier than my old 93 that had a good shifting getrag, the main thing was it was a little hard getting into reverse, it seemed to wanna go into 5th most of the time this was when new. maybe I have just gotten used to it but no probs here. after 30k miles I must say this trans is the smoothest shifting trans I have ever drivin in a p/u It really does well. only thing that is very rarly a problem is downshifting from say 6th to 3rd or from 5th to 4th sometimes I miss the gate and end up in the wrong grear, prolly more my fault if any thing

 

[THartfield]

I went ahead and changed the fluid out with the stock stuff and it didn't make an instant change. I now have another 600 miles on it and the transmission has freed up quite a bit.



My transmission, like tpruit's wouldn't go into gear from a stop about as often. It goes in all the time now.



Thanks for all the help.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by dan_gilson

tpruitt, I am not a tranmission guy but what I suspect is that you have left the clutch in when you took it out of gear and left the clutch in. In this case I believe that all the syncros have stopped spinning. It the gears do not line up they just will not go in. What I suggest is to pop the clutch out and then push it back to the floor. It should drop into gear then.



I get the same thing with the 5 speed.



If this is what is happening, it is best not to leave the clutch in. Eventually the throwout bearing will get hot and sieze.

Dan is right on here! You should only use your clutch when you are shifting or starting, if possible. If you aren't moving, put it in neutral and let the clutch out.



If I sit in neutral, and THEN shift into gear when I am about to go, I noticed that it goes into gear much more easily. I also start in first gear all the time, so it's sometimes a little harder to get into gear. The only time when it just won't go is when I goof in my driving technique.



I noticed a considerable improvement in overall shifting after I switched to Redline MTL, though that was quite a few months ago and I can't say whether it is still as much of an improvement. It seems to have tapered off a little, though still better than stock. I am at 20K now, and I will do my next change at 30K. I might try redline MT90 or the RP Synchromax products. The MTL has proven to be pretty good stuff.



BTW-- I would recommend you always start in 1st gear. It does wonders for clutch life. I believe that you should always start in 1st because are trucks are pretty heavy. Imagine if you had a 5K pound truck pulling a 2K trailer instead of just a 7K pound truck. would you still start in second??



My stock clutch is still not slipping with DD2s and an EZ. I believe that my 1st gear starts are part of the reason why.



My $0. 02



Justin

 

[AC]

tpruitt, I have had similar issues with my truck. I never had problems shifting until I put in my Con OFE. I would call Peter at SBC and see if he has any ideas. As far as the chattering while starting in second, I have the same complaint. I usually start in first but sometimes when I need to merge with traffic I have to start in second. More times than not it will chatter. If I had it to do it again I would try the Con O. If you can live with a sub 420 hp truck I'm told by Peter that it is a more forgiving clutch to drive.

AC

 

[tpruitt]

When i come to a stop light i am in neutral. I never had this problem when i had the stock clutch but it seemed like overnight it started up with the OFE.



Now The whole thing about starting in 2nd gear. The owners manual (p. 130) states that you can start out in 2nd when you are not loaded. It does state that you should start in first if you are loaded. The manual also states that 1st is a creeper gear. Many people on this board do think that DC does not recommend but this is the one thing that they say is alright to do. Yes the whole theory of the clutch lasting longer if you start in 1 is more than likely true but you are using the clutch more to shift. It depends on my mood weather i start in 1st or 2nd if i fell like running through 5 gears before i get to 50 then i will start in first if not i will start in second. When i am not at school i drive Mack's and Western Stars i know that when i am not loaded in one of those i do not start in the very first gear. depending on what Trans and what engine it has you could start in 6 and still pull off fine when EMPTY.



I cant speak for every one on TDR but i know why i bought the clutch i did. I got it to hold the hold the HP of my truck. The clutch holds the power great but it wont hold the power if i cant get it in gear in the first place. I Baby the He!! out of my truck but when things happen for unexplainable reason i have to wonder if people have experienced the same problems. I think that the more this topic comes up the more people you are going to see with this same problem.





Also i am not trying to bash SBC they are good clutch and they are very well designed with a man to stand behind them. I have talked to Peter many times about this problem that i am having. he recommended that I change my fluid to RED LINE MTL which i am doing this Friday. I will give the RED LINE its time to work and if it does not solve the problem then i will pull the trans out.



Trey