MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 - SERVICE INFORMATION
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
A low transmission lubricant level is generally the result of a leak, inadequate lubricant fill or an incorrect lubricant level check. A correct lubricant level check can only be made when the vehicle is level. Also allow the lubricant to settle for a minute or so before checking. These recommendations will ensure an accurate check and avoid an underfill or overfill condition. Always check the lubricant level after any addition of fluid to avoid an incorrect lubricant level condition.
Dodge Ram Truck Leaks can occur at the mating surfaces of the gear case, adaptor or extension housing, or from the front/rear seals. A suspected leak could also be the result of an overfill condition. Leaks at the rear of the extension or adapter housing will be from the housing oil seals. Leaks at component mating surfaces will probably be the result of inadequate sealer, gaps in the sealer, incorrect bolt tightening or use of a non-recommended sealer. A leak at the front of the transmission will be from either the front bearing retainer or retainer seal. Lubricant may be seen dripping from the clutch housing after extended operation. If the leak is severe, it may also contaminate the clutch disc causing the disc to slip, grab and or chatter.
HARD SHIFTING
Dodge Ram Truck Service Manual Hard shifting is usually caused by a low lubricant level, improper or contaminated lubricants. The consequence of using non-recommended lubricants is noise, excessive wear, internal bind and hard shifting. Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear, shift rail, synchro, and bearing damage. If a leak goes undetected for an extended period, the first indications of component damage are usually hard shifting and noise.
Dodge Ram Truck Transmission and Transfer Case Component damage, incorrect clutch adjustment or damaged clutch pressure plate or disc are additional probable causes of increased shift effort. Incorrect adjustment or a worn/damaged pressure plate or disc can cause incorrect release. If clutch problem is advanced, gear clash during shifts can result. Worn or damaged synchro rings can cause gear clash when shifting into any forward gear. In some new or rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most cases this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.
TRANSMISSION NOISE
Most manual transmissions make some noise during normal operation. Rotating gears generate a mild whine that is audible, but generally only at extreme speeds. Severe highly audible transmission noise is generally the initial indicator of a lubricant problem. Insufficient, improper or contaminated lubricant will promote rapid wear of gears, synchros, shift rails, forks and bearings. The overheating caused by a lubricant problem, can also lead to gear breakage.
REMOVAL
- Shift transmission into Neutral.
- Remove shift boot screws from floorpan and slide boot upward on the shift lever.
- Remove shift lever extension from shift tower and lever assembly.
- Remove shift tower (1) bolts (3).