Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Whining about..oops I mean in 5th

[M Campbell]

Hi All,



I'm having a problem with 5th in my '99 5spd 4x4 still. It started whining on accel about 4k miles ago, and now is getting louder on accel and has started whining on decel as well. Yesterday for the first time I was unable to get it into 5th on the way to work. It took about 10 tries and then went in. That is the only time it hasn't gone in. I'm trying to figure out if this is the infamous 5th gear nut problem. It hasn't made the "gravel crunch" sound that others have described, just the whine. I only have 45k on the truck, and mostly empty at that. I guess my warranty was up at 36k, so I'm going to have to try and fix this myself. If there is anyone that's done this in the central VA area and wants to help for pizza and beer, I'd welcome the assistance. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have the tools (except the special ones and the 350ft-lb torque wrench), but the thought of tearing into the trans on my "new" baby is more than a little daunting. Especially since I'm not sure it is the 5th gear nut.



Thanks for any advice you can give!

Mike

 

[SMorneau]

I have had the nut come off twice and it was not noisy except for the lurch as the drivetrain unloaded. Never heard it coming.



The last failure was 5th gear syncro and it was so quiet I didn't know if failed until I tried to downshift and it wouldn't come out of 5th gear.



Hope this helps, I know what you're feeling. I was at a Dodge dealer today and had to admit to a woman in the waiting room I wouldn't buy another Dodge (at least not new). I love my truck but I find in inexcusable that DC doesn't fix their problems with the little things like TRANSMISSIONS. Thank God for the aftermarket! Shame on DC!

 

[Deezul1]

My 5th gear came off twice in 6 months and never made a sound either time, just like shifting into nuetral. I bet its something else.

 

[turbo torque]

Mine is 98. 5 and just started Whining in 5th at almost 60k. Sounds like the infamous nut. Guess we have to deal with it! DC SUCKS.

 

[Jeddi]

5th Gear Issue

When mine went out it was quiet, just felt like it went into nuetral and started coasting. There are several posts out there on the subject, just do a search. I followed one of the procedures I found to do mine, and it wasn't that hard to do. So far, so good. I've only put a couple hundred miles on it, but it shifts a lot better than it did before. That might be due to the oil I put in the transmission, and not the nut kit, but I'm happy. Just hope it holds for a while. Good luck.....