Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission rattle/noise, plus big play in drive shaft

[FATCAT]

Well, the old truck has been having a hard time these days, and the winter was not too kind to it.



I have a rattle in the 5-speed when sitting still and in neutral with the clutch engaged. Sounds like springs rattleing or somthing. When I put in the clutch peddle, the noise goes away. This is most pronounced after a long trip of 70 miles or more. This has been going on for some time now, but is just getting worse.



Also, I have at least 1/2" or more of play in the drive shaft. I can turn it by hand either way and "clunk!". Not sure if its the Transfer case or the rear end.



I have 192,000 and everything is original in the drive line except for the Southbend Con-O clutch and Kevelar through-out bearing.



My regular maint. machanic friend says that the whole drive line is loosend up do to the power mods and probably will need to rebuild everything at some point in the near future :{

Just thinking of what it might cost for a remany 4500 with the upgrades and a NV241HD? Would Standard Transmission be the best bet? Anyone have anything good/bad to say about them? What am I looking at $$$ wise?

I gotta keep this old truck running till Dodge comes out with a 5500.

 

[FATCAT]

So, anyone have an idea what that 'rattle' could be ... broken spring in clutch plate?



Also, any info on dealing with Standard transmission? Good/Bad?

 

[JoshPeters]

Sounds like it could be a couple of things. It could be the Throw out bearing on the shaft is loose. Why... I donno... The other bearing it could be is the front bearing for the input shaft. I would lean more towards that bearing than the throw out bearing. The throw out bearing, I would think, would make more noise when you put the pedal in.



As far as driveline slack goes. I have some as well. I think mine is in the T-case. I'm guessing that the chain in the T-case has loostened up over time.



Being I have an Auto, I don't know the best company to go through... . but I have heard of Standard Transmission.



Good luck!



Josh

 

[98rammer]

have you had a drive train whine? i had one ever since i bought the 98. it wore the ring so bad that it spun the left bearing and finally broke a tooth off the pinion. got an axle from that big salvage place in candia. i had excessive play in the driveshaft, also felt the lash everytime i got in and out of the throttle.



the chain the t-case could have stretched too.



i believe that when the pilot bearing is going out, it only does it when you push the clutch in.



Tom

 

[FATCAT]

As for noise or whine, in the drivetrain when driving, I have a good rattle primaraly in 4th gear when excellerating in the 1400 - 1800 rpm range ... especially when I have something in tow like my dump trailer.

When I had the Con-O clutch put in about 60K+ miles ago, I did have the SB Kevelar throw out baring put in. I would be supprised that that thing is on the way out.



I'm really leaning towards having a remanufactured NV4500 and NP241HD installed this summer. My only other concern would be the ring gear in the rearend ... do the ring gears tend to get busted up or are they pretty much bullet proof?

 

[98rammer]

my guess with your dana 80 is that the rear end should be real strong and hold up unless you're abusing it. my 70 was just severly worn from the bad tolerences (pervious owner also towed a travel trailer with it).



what about doing a 6 speed conversion?

 

[FATCAT]

my guess with your dana 80 is that the rear end should be real strong and hold up unless you're abusing it. my 70 was just severly worn from the bad tolerences (pervious owner also towed a travel trailer with it).



what about doing a 6 speed conversion?

A 6 speed NV5600 would be nice, but probably at more than twice the price of rebuilding the NV4500 and NP241. I do have almost 200K on the truck and don't want to put too much $$$ into it. I figure to get another 2 to 3 years out of it (and it will need a paint job to fight the rust). Also, since the NV5600 is not being made any more, parts would be hard to get in the future. (I see at the Quad 4X4 .com site that the NV4500 is still being made for the GM trucks since the New Venture plant was taken back over by GM) ... unless you think 5600 parts will be around for many years to come. But I would think you would need to upgrade the NP241HD to the NP271 ... or am I wrong?

I don't abuse the truck ... only when pulling a load or the backhoe.

So hopfully the rear end is OK.

 

[98rammer]

i wouldn't think that you would need to upgrade the transfer case. i only have the 241 light duty, haven't had any problems.



the bank has been taking forever with the loan situation, but your more than welcome to drive my 6 speed after i pick it up tomorrow night (hopefully) if you want to try it out.

 

[FATCAT]

i wouldn't think that you would need to upgrade the transfer case. i only have the 241 light duty, haven't had any problems.



the bank has been taking forever with the loan situation, but your more than welcome to drive my 6 speed after i pick it up tomorrow night (hopefully) if you want to try it out.

Ahhh a tempting offer, but I don't want to "taste the fruit of a new truck" or else I'll get the FEVER as reported in the latest TDR magazine ... trying to justify the "need" for a new truck and running all the senarios in my mind trying to convince myself I will save $$$ in the long run. In reality I'm holding out for a 5500 dually or may just go with a IH 4300 with Dt466 and 7-speed. (My racing and/or BOMBing days are over).



So your going with the new G56 Duel Mass Flywheel transmission ... hope DC did a far better design than Ford did with their DMF transmission.



In another post I ask about Quad 4X4's new Torque King mian shaft upgrade to the NV4500, so I guess I'll see who responds.



Hate to get rid of the old girl for a new truck anyhow.



Good luck 98rammer with the new toy ... and remember a clean shinny truck is good for at least 10 more hp and 20 lbft :-laf

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Bringing this one back up.



I just put an SBC clutch in mine and noticed this for the first time. Took a trip to Ohio over the 4th. Since this is my first 2nd gen, I was beginning to think this transmission was just noisy. Doesn't seem to be any slop in the gears and the trans was replaced 50k before I bought the truck.



Do you have any shuddering under WOT in 4th/5th?