What's so Bad about the G-56?

[rblomquist]

Thinking about getting a new truck and am seriously considering not buying another truck with an auto after my current trucks horrendous experience with MULTIPLE Dodge automatic transmissions. Just wondering if the G-56 bad mouthing is akin to the moaning about switching from dana to american axles?

 

[Fireman]

No one really knows... ... yet. I think time will tell.



I haven't seen where anyone posting has used one of these for any length of time in another vehicle.



Personally, if it was all that was avalable I would still go with the G56 over the auto. But that's just me.



Fireman

 

[klenger]

The G56 seems to have the same reputation as the 600/610 engine; the people who do not like them are the ones who do not have them. We have not heard of a single problem with the G56 on hte TDR. While it true that there are not very many G56's sold yet, if they were having trouble, we'd have 1st hand experience here. If I was ordering, the G56 is the only transmission I'd consider.

 

[Grizzly]

If you are going to pull anything you are always better off with a standard shift, unless you do upgrades to the automatic. I would still take a G-56 over an upgraded Auto.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"The G56 seems to have the same reputation as the 600/610 engine; the people who do not like them are the ones who do not have them. "





UNHHhhh, well, yeah - but that's sorta like those who badmouth Slick 50 - those who don't like it, don't buy it...



MEANWHILE, early reports HERE, on the TDR *have* focused upon significant oil leakage evident in at least some G56's seen on dealer lots - and of course, we are all quite familiar with the 2-week *total halt* of deliveries of G56 equipped trucks as some mysterious and still unknown problem was dealt with.



So yeah, a new buyer DOES have significant cause for caution - and a tough choice between the auto and manual transmission...

 

[RustyJC]

Frankly, I'd be more concerned with the dual-mess (oops... dual-mass) flywheel that comes as part and parcel with the G56 - especially if I planned any power upgrades down the road.



JMHO.....



Rusty

 

[JCleary]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I would welcome the slicker shifting and lower 6th gear. My Cummins feels like it's wishing for 4. 10's when on the highway. The G56 w/3. 73's is pretty much exactly what my NV5600 would be with 4. 10's.



Sounds to me that the ratios are better, too. Plus, reverse is in a much better spot. No need to worry about hitting reverse when smacking a quick shift from 4th to 5th.



As far as the clutch is concerned, it may have some problems with high power, but if you're going to Bomb your truck, you'll need a new clutch anyway. I'm sure SBC will have something sweet available soon!

 

[RustyJC]

As far as the clutch is concerned, it may have some problems with high power, but if you're going to Bomb your truck, you'll need a new clutch anyway. I'm sure SBC will have something sweet available soon!

I'm not talking about the clutch; I'm talking about the FLYWHEEL. I know about upgrading clutches - check my signature - I'm just bringing to light the possibility that the dual-mass flywheel may have to go as a very early step in any BOMBing program. And, yes, I'm sure Peter can fix you right up!



For what it's worth.....



Rusty

 

[DPKetchum]

Did not Slick Fifty go belly up with Prodo and Duracrud? 48re has given very few problems,NV5600 very few and hopefully the G56.

 

[Buffalo]

The rumor I heard was that the gear oil fill hole was placed too low and you don't get enough gear oil in the trans. for proper lubrication. Apparently, the dealers are adding another quart or so, through the shift tower or there is a plug on the side of the trans. (for the shift fork, I believe) where you can add oil, also.

Don't know how true this is but, it's what I have read about this problem.



You , also, might want to get ahold of Southbend Clutch. I heard they bought one of the new Dual-Mass Flywheels, and were checking it out for potential improvements.



Hope this helps.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"The rumor I heard was that the gear oil fill hole was placed too low and you don't get enough gear oil in the trans. "



Trying to maintain a grip on reality, do any here REALLY believe that story? :-laf :-laf



AND, would you REALLY trust a transmission designed by engineers so STUPID as to not know where to properly locate the fill plug? :-laf



Maybe the extra lube is needed for better cooling of those plastic gears? :-laf



Face it, the "add a quart of oil" bit is pure BANDAID, providing time until the REAL problem can be corrected in later production - and LATER PRODUCTION is ALL that *I* would even consider with that transmission - let the "early birds" do the bleeding on this one!

 

[MSkajem]

I just took delivery on a 2005 with a G56 last week ... Ordered it in early March... I am pleased with it and yes, only time with tell how durable it will be... . Just like ALL things that are mechanical...

 

[Buffalo]

Gary-K7GLD.



My understanding is that the lack of sufficient lube was the problem with the Getrag that went in the First Gen's. The fix was to add an extra quart through the shifter tower.



I, too, would be surprised if the engineers would design and build a new trans. with similar problems. However, I do recall reading where some people thought the oil level seemed, in their opinions, to be low.



Personally, I hope this new trans. proves to be a good one.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[rblomquist]

Gary-K7GLD.



I, too, would be surprised if the engineers would design and build a new trans. with similar problems. However, I do recall reading where some people thought the oil level seemed, in their opinions, to be low.





Joe F. (Buffalo)

Don't be suprised, it happens. Honda has been the gold standard in motocross bikes for years and years and they did the same exact thing when they designed the brand new 4-stroke MX bike a couple of years back. The oil quantity was listed right on the case but the check hole was placed wrong (no enough oil in it if you went by the weep/check hole) AND they haven't fixed it yet (except for a service bulletin saying not to use the check oil i. e. measure the correct amount of oil/pour instead if using the check hole).



I

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have heard that the gearshift shafts on these trucks is hollow - so maybe a drain hole drilled at the end down inside the transmission, and a shift knob shaped like a funnel will be the next act of re-engineering at DC...



Yeah, I hope it all gets properly sorted out too - I sure hate the constant ridicule about the inability of DC to field a decent transmission that matches the quality of the Cummins.

 

[BHolm]

Dual Mass Flywheel is bound to be trouble. I have seen a bunch of them replaced when Ford tried it in the early 90's. The DMF was also a big problem on mid 90's Porsche 911's. Why wont manufacturers learn?



I also would have NO faith in a trans that needed an extra quart as a fix I've been very happy with my 48re's. My last CTD truck was a first gen, '92 model, that ate up and spit out FIVE Getrag manuals. I'd buy a NV5600 or a 48re. If you really want to join the gineau pig parade you could always just get a 6. 0 Ford



I guess I was a bit of a product tester on the 48re's but they have been WAY better than the older Dodge autos, and better than the two Allison equipped Chevy's I owned as well.

 

[abdiver]

This transmission has been in service in trucks in the old country I imagine the fill level hole is in the same location in those as it is in the new Dodges.

 

[Chaw]

I have owned a NV4500, NV 5600, and now the G56. I love this new transmission so far. I could have bought the 05 I drove with the 5600 but liked the G56 better. With the long warranty, I am not worried. I just sold my Excursion for the Dodge again. This sounds like a 7. 3 vs. 6. 0 thread on TDS. Seems like this is a horrible trans if you own a 5600, but if you actually own one you like it.

 

[bombero]

I was one of the first to buy a 92 with a Gertag. Shifted pretty square and slow but was like a normal truck trans. Then I starting read this forum and all the horror stories about the Gertag. As far as I am concern it was fine. Trans, clutch, liftpump ect were still going strong when I sold it with 145K on the clock. If I was going to buy a new CTD the trans issues I have read on this forum would not be considered.

 

[rblomquist]

You talk about frustrating..... I'm waffling back and forth with the concept of getting a new truck and initially thought how nice it'd be to get a new CTD, this time with a manual trans so I could avoid all the butt-pain I'm going through with these auto trannies. Safe bet, good engine mated to a reliable manual trans, then I start seeing where DC had to go and change. Now it's back to the drawing board for me and the decision on which truck to potentially get.



It shouldn't be this hard (in my mind).