TheNeckasaurus

Ok, I know there are tons of threads out there about this but I came across this on the internet: http://fifthgearrepair.com/nv4500repair.html. I know its the mainshaft thats the culprit but I dont have too much money right now thanks to FSU. So has anyone used that nut retainer and what do you have to say about it? And when my nut is loose does it make a real tinny sound? Cause if so its been loose since the day I bought it.

patdaly

Mine has been off for almost 20K miles now, and can't say I have heard it at all.

Funny you should mention this repair though, I just ordered 2 of them from Ebay ( got the other one for the NV going behind my 4BT ), 145 bucks ea. One of the reasons I hadn't torn into mine was because I didn't like any of the fixes other than to put the updated mainshaft in, which I really didn't want to do. I see no reason why this will not be as good a fix as anything else. They just shipped mine yesterday from Cali, so if I get them before thanksgiving, I will probably fix mine the Friday after.

98fargo

Mine never made a sound either before or after it fell off.

infidel

If you can't afford to replace the shaft right now and take care of the problem the permanent way you're better off to have the nut welded on till you can replace the shaft.
Not sure how much the device you linked to costs but my bet is welding would be cheaper.

TheNeckasaurus

Holy *****, $145?! For a stinking retainer? Talk about bending ya over the barrel. I just emailed the 5thgearrepair guys for pricing so im waiting on them.
@ infidel, does it require any special type of welding? Or just a few tacks? Thanks alot guys, guess Ill have to search around and find out what the crud is making that noise.

patdaly

Neck, it is a rather substantial part, between the material cost, the lathe/milling operations and then broaching the spline, I doubt the profit margin is as high as you think. I am an incurable cheapskate and I sprang for 2............

Welding is an option, but one associated with risks. Many have welded it only to lose the mainshaft a short time later. No matter how you do it, you create a heat affected zone, and that in turn starts a fracture.

I personally will not do such a thing, because my luck with Murphy has not been the best, YMMV.

98fargo

After I welded mine and the nut broke taking out the driven and drive gears for fifth, I replaced the gears and put a new nut on, just a matter of time till it falls off again but I will not weld another one, it is getting an overhaul in the spring complete with mainshaft.

Diesel Dave2

I don't know if this would fix the problem or not...I drilled and taped my orginal nut with 3 set screws..Locktite and torque to spec...I got another nut and did the same...Then I miged both nuts together with four spot welds...Will it hold...Have no idea..I can't remember off hand, but I think the torque on the nut is 285 FT/lbs...You have to confirm that..

patdaly

Dave, Yours was what I was going to do after I saw your fix, I even have 2 new nuts setting here waiting for my lazy tail to do it, until I saw the retainer idea at least.

I would say yours has the best shot of staying on other than the retainer.

Pretty good memory, book calls for 250-350 Lb./Ft.

infidel

It's been awhile since I fixed mine the right way.
I remember it was more than $145, more like $300.
Link> http://quad4x4.com/NV4500%205th%20Ge...tm#Torque_King

Purplezr2

Don't be surprised if the shaft fails if you weld it. I personally thinking welding a shaft like that is a horrible idea.

scjfly

What is the preferred method of torquing the nut? Will I need to buy a special socket?

Thanks,

Clark

rmk4x4

i just did the the 5th gear nut reatainer and the biggest pain was getting the nut clocked to fit it. other than that i think it is a great fix my main shaft was worn at bit so i put on a new gear with the wear i think that it could fail agin but time was not on my side so this fix worked well for me have not put manny miles on it but did just get done with a 600 mile hay trip and i grossed 33k with no issues. i used large torque wrench was about 4 feet long to do mine and i built a socket out of a old hub socket and some pipe worked well. i do notice that i get a bit more gear noise with the new gear on it.

patdaly

You need something resembling a higgins nut wrench to get it tight. I drew up a copy of the Miller tool and had one water jetted out of S7 tool steel, others have said they used a front end nut socket, not sure I would trust it, but hey, there are usually some laying around.

If you buy the Miller wrench, be aware there are 2 sizes, and you need the bogger one, I think the other is for the gasser mainshaft. I know for sure the Miller 6443 is the wrong one, because that is what I bought before finding out there were 2 different sizes. You theoretically need a socket for the mainshaft to keep it from turning, but many people just lock then in 2 gears at once, just make sure you take it back out before you button it up......

infidel

I personally feel any fix besides a new shaft is a horrible short term bandaid fix.
The problem is the shaft, not the nut.
If you depend on your truck fix it the right way.
Otherwise just weld it. Welding will work just as good as the other temporary fixes.