Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What Socket Is Needed for 5th Gear Nut

[TPlasek]

I am installing the fifth gear fix this weekend before it falls off. My question, what sort of socket and size do I need to purchase to get the old nut off and tighten the new one down.



Also, anyone know the torque spec, or is a 1000ft/lbs good enough ??? (maybe even a little AC 6011 loctite to keep it in place)



Thanks

Tim Plasek

Houston,Tx

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

It's a special tool that you'll have to buy. You can buy it through http://www.spxmiller.com - it's part number MLR-6743 (I think it was around $30). You may also need the splined socket to hold the shaft while you tighten it (not sure of the part number). Another option for that if you are taking your transmission out to do the job is to pull the top cover and put it into two gears at once and then tighten it down. Torque is put as much on it as possible - I think the spec was in the 300 ft/lb range but I was told recently by an NV engineer that they put about 500 on it at the factory. If your 5th gear is already loose on the shaft (which it probably will be - it should be a press fit) then putting the updated nut on will most likely be a temporary repair. I put the updated nut on my transmission at 60,000 miles as preventative maintenance and 5th gear came off at 100,070 miles. Make sure you degrease the shaft and gear real well and use plenty of lock tite. I just recently went through this so if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Just use a hammer and a piece of metal. I did it that way and put 50k towing miles on with no problem.



Clean the shaft with brake parts cleaner, this will strip away any oil so the loctite will hold well.

 

[cmckinney]

So if the 5th gear nut is such an issue why hasn't there been a TSB issued for the NV4500? Is DC just trying to sidestep this issue?



-CM

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Because it doesn't usually go out until after the warranty does.

 

[TPlasek]

I am also installing the fully splined shaft at the same time... The nut looks like the same nut that is in a 1980's chevy Dana 60 front axle. I have one for my jeep, but it doesn fit...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Ahh, good thinking. You also want to install a new 5th gear if you weren't already planning to. The old gear will be loose on the shaft and won't be a press fit like it should be. Since you'll have the transmission out then you can just put it in two gears at once with the cover off you hold the shaft still while you tighten it down. The new gear will be a VERY tight fit on the shaft, it's hard to get it on there.