Symptoms of loose fifth gear ?? I think I got it ??

[zzman]

Ol Big Reds been making a little rattling noise in fifth gear lately.

I suppose it is the loose nut syndrome.



What does someone need to expect when this happens?

Been hearing bout this for awhile but this ol hard head hasn't

been listening too well. Guess I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me.



Are "97" models exempt? That would be nice.



So far that's all I noticed is the rattling sound. Thought maybe

it was the throw out bearing. But only makes noise in 5th gear.



OK fellas, give me the bad news. What do ya think here???



Thanks

Ron

 

[Don M]

My 97 squirted the 5th gear twice before I decided to do the standard transmission fix with the fully splined mainshaft and gear.



Mine made that noise after I started throwing about 350 HP to it. About three weeks later the thing came off.



Prolly the 5th gear.



Don~

 

[Turbo Thom]

Mine makes that little ringing rattle now. I have the ST transmission installed. I might be making a trip to Texas to have Charlie take a look at it.



Every time I lost fifth gear there was not any warning at all. I t just let go. One time I was passing another truck on a 2 lane road , got beside him and it let go. Nover heard anything.



. . Preston. .

 

[rhoads]

fifth gear

not knowing the date of Nv's modification of the main shaft, --they cut a keyway down the lenght of same,--and the use of the " long- nose'd" thicker /more threads (castle styled nut w/o the slots) they then staked the nut into the keyway... ... . now say you bought this rig new(you know no one has been in there) ---AND the sound comming from the shifter lever sounds like it is full of B B's that could be the case... ... Depending on your build date.

How do i know this,my 96 failed at 36 k aprox a month and a half out of the box. 1k from the house ,got it up and apart (rented shop hoist and a owners employee) reused old nut and 5th gear-red loc tite-cranked it down some where around 300 guess/ chin up on breaker bar with pipe over handle!!

The last touch was to use a 3 lb hammer and a 3/16 center punch and stake'ed about 5 times . it was just to get home. . stayed on the shaft for 168k but the B B sound started about 15 k before failure. i but a light shirt on the sifter to kill the noise knowing it should wipe evere thread off the shaft $$$ and nut.

I have both in the shop the nut can be put on just by sliding it in place,the shaft threads look to be un harmed. .

I talked to NV (how i found out the the key shaft repair) and got a the to be released split nut to test in the real world,and heart about the extended spline theory.

The test of the split nut failed,aprox 50k 70% under tow. reported the results, Installed the superceeded split which is nv part # 1875 - loc tite-and a big hammer and center punch-aprox ten stakes with deadly blows and it is still secrue over 400 k later do you need an extended shaft or new 5 th gear?????

I didnt??????? Oh also told STD how i kept the first nut in place,back in early 97 and if you read the tdr issue what do they do to the nut after tighting it down?????

MOST important If the B B noise is "NOT " gone in 1 thru 4 th something else is the cause. . What i'd have to rack my brain because with out abuse(speed shifts--dumping massive torque under heavy weight/hi rpm) I chang the lube every 100k (not on d/c list but the same mfg,oem bearings and sync's an clutches in place.

I did install one option--3' mag to pto cover to attract anything that might float around. always been clean. . Good luck!!

 

[SOOT]

I lsot mine on the 97 3 times , and each time with NO warning. I then bought the replacement nut from Dodge and have no problems since.

 

[rhoads]

New Nut

Hope it works ,But i all ready know the out come,question is what milage,and date.

Do your self a great favor,hit print on my post put it in the glove box , order the nut from STD, as i remember back in 98 when i repaired one for a friend it was around $20 incl. shipping , tx-In . cheap insurance for you or next owner ,Or other thought if you travel across country and you run across another owner with the problem ad 5 to the cost of the nut give him a copy of the print and he will remember you for life- and you have made 24% put i'd get my hands on a nother nut. .

one of these days I'm going to copy and have #1 edit it and send it to TDR along with the picture thats been waiting for 3 years!!!! On strike with it waiting on a 5-6-7-800000 k milage decal,I remember a issue suggesting to apply multi decals,nowwhat would that look on my #2 pride and joy????

 

[pwknapp]

staked it

Help me understand where you "stake it".

 

[Tim1]

Hey pwknapp, when tdrram talks about staking the nut, he's saying take a 3\ 16 centerpunch and on the earlier nut there is a taper down close to the threads about 1\2" in width, Hit the Nut damn hard about 8 places around the nut with the punch. You want to drive the threads of the nut into the threads of the shaft. Be sure and use Locktite #242 Red. I did this on a bench and supported the shaft underneath and really hit it, it will stay put as tdram has posted. To tighten the nut, I cut and lenghted the front axle nut wrench for the front bearings, its the same size. I had a hard time finding the earlier nut but was sucessfull. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. Tim

 

[WDaniels]

shaft nut

I lost mine on my 96 3500 fresh out of the gate at 14k. Didn't make a sound. Was going up a hill pulling a trailer and zing, all r's and no go. Dodge repalce it and was problem free until I sold it. My 97 has yet to squirt. Just replaced the clutch and should have done it when it was out but didn't due to time. Don't feel like taking that big ole xmission out again.

 

[pwknapp]

Tim1, sure 'preciate the info. Have to pull the rear cover and stake it soon.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

What would happen if you welded that nut on? I would like to see it come off then!!

 

[SOOT]

Welding!

I tried that with no success I could not seem to get the welder hot enough That suggestion was givin to me by the shop supervisor at a Dodge dealer, he said that a rancher did the same thing and has had no problems with it. Guess I need a bigger welder

 

[rhoads]

Weld your nut????

Most likely you have not read any of my post!! DO NOT WELD. .

for back up research,call sdt tran --1 800 --in front of that and ask what will happen some point in /time /miles??? If you get it hot enough to stick the nut to the shaft some time /miles to come -shaft will shear into like you cut it with a laser. . WHIch is like having a hot date and junping into 33 deg water... . Get the picture Yet????

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

 

[LarryB]

Are you talking about ... ... ... ... ... SHRINKAGE ????

 

[Tim1]

Wow, I guess Dealer supervisors aren't any different than supervisors in general! Welding on a gear shaft??????????? Tim

 

[C Schomer]

The only warning I had was jumping out of 5th at 27k, towing uphill.