Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission (5spd) Noise?

[BDeBoer]

Anyone out there have any experience with odd noises coming from their NV4500’s? I’ve got a rhythmic chatter/grinding noise that just developed and is getting progressively worse in the last 500-1000 miles. At first, it was exclusively in 5th, and only when the clutch was engaged, both on and off the throttle. If you depress the clutch, the noise goes away. Last night, I noticed a similar noise when downshifting into 3rd as I was letting out the clutch. Any guesses out there as to what the problem could be?







The truck is a stock 98 12-valve with 87,000 miles on it that has led a cream-puff life compared to a lot of your vehicles out there. I don’t tow terribly often, and when I do, it’s typically a ~2500lb snowmobile trailer. Aside from that, it’s mostly driven empty, with a single motorcycle in the back, or hauling firewood – nothing too extreme. I haven’t checked the fluid level in a while, but there’s no sign of any leakage in the transmission area, and there has never been so much as a drop in my driveway.



So, it definitely needs to get dropped out of the truck for some medical attention. Can anyone out there tell me if any special tools are needed for working on the transmission (yes, I know I need a transmission jack – I’m more interested in what’s needed once it’s out)? I’m still trying to decide whether I’m going to tackle it myself or let a shop do it.



This truck is killing me, I just got done putting $800 worth of parts in the front end (brakes and wheel bearings) two weeks ago...

 

[Extreme1]

A friend of mine had the same thing with his '95. It was the 5th gear walking on the splined shaft (it finaly popped the clip and he had no 5th). Now that it is doing it with the clutch out, the bearings are shot. You'll need: 5th gear, output shaft and a bearing kit. The 5th synchro was bad too.

 

[markdixon]

Try checkin the gear oil in the trans. Mine would make noise when it was about a quart low. Seal went out between the trans and the transfer case.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

If your doing it yourself,check out page 165 of the latest TDR magazine. This kit has the upgraded mainshaft,bearings etc etc plus an instructional video and the tools..... Quadkit is the name.

 

[Matt42]

Don't Wait!

Originally posted by markdixon

Try checkin the gear oil in the trans. Mine would make noise when it was about a quart low. Seal went out between the trans and the transfer case.

I've encountered this phenomenon with the Chebby application of the NV-4500. The transmission fluid leaks out the rear seal into the transfer case. Not a drop is spilled or visible. About a quart, more or less, gets left in the transmission, but it'll still self-destruct. If you catch it soon enough, you can minimize the damage.

 

[WDaniels]

BDeboer,

Mine is making exactly the same sound. Lots of noise in fifth gear and when your in third down shifting, before you let the clutch out it sounds like a roller bearing is out of round? I just came in from the garage 20 minutes ago from pulling the transmission. I thought that it might be the fifth gear coming off. So I this afternoon I pulled the transfer g/b and the tail housing and found that the main output shaft bearing retaining plate that is held on with 4 bolts, 2 of the bolt heads were broken off and the bearing had shifted and the gear had eaten into the retaining plate a few thousands. That would explain the key cutter sound I heard the other day. So I dropped the transmission and pulled it completely apart and am going to rebuild it this week. If you do not have the upgraded fifth gear nut you should replace it with the new one. If you are going to rebuild it yourself a bearing splitter would be nice and you will need a press to seperate the one gear off of the main shaft. It is a close tolerance fit. Other than that I don't see anything else special.

Pumperdude,

I haven't got my magazine yet. We are not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here and everything by mail takes a long time. Any wise, can you PM me about the new mainshaft and stuff. While I have it apart I might as well put good stuff back in.

WD