Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Well, it wasn't 5th gear this time

[gitchesum]

This is a new one for me.

I had the 5th gear and 5th gear nut in a box ready to go in when I pulled the tail section of my NV4500.

I was actually disappointed to see 5th gear in place and tight. The truck lost 5th gear a while back and I was 100% sure the nut has come off again.



Turns out, the "5th syncro clutch gear" (that's what the manual called it) innards were ripped out.

Apparently, the snap ring holding the 5th gear syncro assembly came off and the assembly was traveling further back than it should have, allowing the clutch gear to ride further back on the countershaft and it eventually tore the teeth out of the center.



Easily fixed, just have to wait on parts because Dodge wanted almost $500 for a part I can get for less than $250



A few pictures

http://www.lstdr.org/Events/ETPerformance/html/MVC-554S.JPG.html

http://www.lstdr.org/Events/ETPerformance/html/MVC-555S.JPG.html

http://www.lstdr.org/Events/ETPerformance/html/MVC-556S.JPG.html

 

[DSiemens]

I was wondering. Did this occur with a new fifth gear and the old/original 5th syncro clutch gear? I was thinking that this might occur with one old part and one new. I just freshened up my NV4500 and install the fully splined mainshaft with new 5th gear but reused 5th syncro clutch gear.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Curtis,

That's interesting, I just traded for an unseen NV4500 that supposedly stripped the 5th gear splines on the shaft. This '96 transmission had 125,000 miles and a month ago busted the input shaft and took out the Centerforce clutch. He replaced the clutch with a Mitchell dual disc and put a billet1 3/8 input shaft in. The truck has never sled pulled and is around 450hp. After seeing your pic's I'm anxious to tear into the core and see what I traded for. Larry

 

[gitchesum]

The 5h gear in this transmission is the original, the nut is the only thing that has been replaced. It is the split nut with the set screws in it. I was suprised to see that it has held up to the torture I've been putting it through over the past 40,00 miles. I'm running aver 400 HP through this transmission and I have a lead foot.



The thing that kept the syncro from falling off the shaft was the tail section. The tail section stopped the assembly from coming off and just let it ride further back than it should have.



Well, off to order new parts.

 

[RHARVEY]

What did all the chunks of steel go????



Rick

 

[gitchesum]

I would imagine when I get the PTO covers off, I'll find some metal in the bottom.



When I called Blumenthals and ordered the part(whick BTW was less than $40 as opposed to $500 the dealer wanted) they told me that they have seen this a few times, the ols snap ring that hold the syncro assembly just lets go and things go downhill from there.

 

[fbadmaev]

Interesting. One more thing to worry about. I just spent $550 at the dealer putting nut back on.



I'm thinking of buying the parts from Blumenthal that I'll need for the permanent fix. Can you give us the part numbers and name of what you ordered?



Thanks

 

[JohnG]

NV4500 dry and shot

Had oil and filtr change, all fluids checked (ha. . ha) at a Jiffy Lube and 2 days later on way home from Portland to Calif. , the transmission let loose. . Real loud and real grindy. . Trans shop says less than 1 qt of fluid in the box, (should be 4qts?). . and no leaks found and no plugs missing. . Costing me about $2600 (incl. 4qts of $25 a qt. trans fluid) A 'regional' rep is on his way to the transmission shop to inspect the damage. Can't wait to hear why it's my fault. . I'll keep you posted on the carnage. . JG

 

[Deezul1]

JohnG

I think you will come out OK on this, I have a friend that used to work for Jiffy Lube and the stories he told of them paying off on stuff that wasnt even close to their fault are amazing.

Good Luck

 

[JohnG]

Cooked transmission/ Jiffy Lube outcome

Well, as promised I'm gonna tell ya what happened w/ Jiffy Lube Small Claims suit. . (My transmission, 5spd, cooked 4 days after having full service @ Jiffy Lube and no fluid in transmission and no apreciable leakage), They fought it all the way. Sent a very young fellow to court, (Feb. 2 '04), who used every tactic he could think of to make excuses about how it was my fault. BUT the judge saw right thru him. Also I brought the owner of the Trans shop as a witness to confirm that the trans wasn't leaking nearly enough to explain loss of 3 1/2 qts in 4 days. Best part was when the judge asked the Jiffy Lube guy where was the fellow who worked on my truck. He had to tell the judge (and the whole court room), that he didn't work for them any more!! (Chuckle). . (Now I'm wondering how long this dope they sent to court will be working for them). You'd think that when we finally got to the trial and he saw that I had brought a witness, he woulda offered me a settlement right there. Dumb. There was a point earlier in the process that I would have considered a 'reasonable' offer to offset the cost. . but NO. . They wanted to fight it, so they lost a total of about $3000. Bottom line is, They were not willing to admit their mistake, wouldn't accept the obvious and fought me all the way. I can only assume they are willing to risk the bad publicity as a normal course of action. They will NEVER get my business again!!! Please tell your friends! This kind of behavior should have consequences! JohnG