My brother recently had a local shop replace the automatic transmission in his 1995 3500 with a remanufactured NV4500. I drove the truck yesterday and noticed a few odd (to me) patterns in the new transmission's behavior.
1. Often difficult to shift into 1st, 2nd, or Reverse. Seems to shift much more smoothly if the brake is not depressed, and/or the truck is rolling.
2. Often some feedback from tranny while rowing through the gears. Shifts much more smoothly if one shifts the transmission to neutral first, pauses, and then shifts into the next gear. Shifts much more smoothly while downshifting than upshifting.
Should my brother be concerned about the health of this transmission?
Is there any thing in particular that he should look/check for?
I ask these questions because I have owned three first generation Dodge Cummins trucks equipped with the Getrag transmission, and I was under the impression that the NV4500 was an immense upgrade in terms of driving manners, ease of shifting, and overall smoothness. However, this transmission behaves not much better, if at all, than the Getrags I have owned/driven. Am I just paranoid, under the wrong impression, misinformed, or is there a possibility that this remanufactured NV4500 has problems?
Thanks for your advice,
Blackbanshee

 

I have similar problems with my rebuilt 4500. They tell me I'm being too particular, but the original was never this bad. Ive had 4 in this truck. Where did you get this work done at? and who's nv4500 did they use? Lets compare notes.

 

The work was done by a local shop...this shop specializes in restoration of wrecked and/or salvage vehicles. My brother first purchased a 97 12 valve motor from this shop (for a really good price), and while he was picking it up he spoke with the shop owner/manager about swapping the tranny out...the owner had never done such a swap, but had done lots of other swaps, so he told us he would definitely do it. I don't know where he got the transmission, neither does my brother. I consider this a problem. The tranny does have a warranty, and shop owner does have a good reputation. I have seen his work and do not doubt his skill. However, he quoted my brother a price for the job and ended up taking a large loss. He was good enough to stick to the price he quoted, but maybe this affected his work? The shop is Ed's Auto Sales in Anderson, SC. He originally told us he was getting a brand new NV4500, but upon seeing the tranny, I new it was not new. He then told us it was remanufactured. I am unsure, but I bet it was rebuilt rather than remanufactured. The clutch is supposed be new, as is the flywheel and bellhousing...if you turn the truck off, apply the parking brake, and then shift the tranny without the clutch, it shifts flawlessly...is this common or a sign of a problem?
Blackbanshee

 

How many have you guys put on it since the swap....may just need to run it for a little while. If it has 3k or better I would say there is a problem.

 

We have only put about 300 miles on it since the swap. It's kinda odd...sometimes the tranny really shifts well...and then one shift is off....like when shifting into first. I am going to get more info about the tranny shortly. Ed told me he had difficulty finding a nv4500....perhaps I should have ordered one from Blumenthals. This has been quite aggrevating....I was amazed at the difference it made in the truck....but these little problems...hmm...pita. redwake.

 

Logskidder,
I hear ya. I plan to drive it another 200 miles or so and then change tranny fluid. Gonna check the fluid for any bits of metal. Is there any tranny fluid in particular that anyone recommends besides the manufacturer recommended Castrol Syntorque?

 

What kind of clutch did he get for the tranny swap? With my dual disc, its hard to get into reverse, and sometimes first. Seems to be a common issue with this clutch. What fluid is in the tranny? When I did my clutch, I dumped the OEM fluid out of it which was a nice honey colour. Put Redline oil in. Within about 5k km, my third gear synchro was toast. I'm sure the clutch was a big part of that, but I have no doubt the oil contributed to it. When I swapped my tranny out for an even older tranny, the oil in mine was like engine oil, black black black. The fluid in the new to me tranny was still a nice honey colour. The OEM fluid is expensive no doubt, but I'm not gonna put anything but that in there now.

 

Hmmm..
And I thought this was only a double disc clutch issue..

Seriously...
Did you use new or a used set of hydraulics???.If they were new did you use the South Bend Clutch unit or a stocker?.With having some issues on my old style EEP double disc like this I swapped out my hydraulics for SBC's set.When my DD was first installed they used the hydraulics from a 97-back 5spd Dodge due to the slave cylinder size.I was amazed at how much different the pedal feels now and how much smoother it is to shift.I do not downshift below 3rd in mine and have never tried it.

As for fluid...
I have used both Amsoil and Syntorque(factory) in mine and have zero issues with either.Either would be a worthy choice........Andy

 

If he put an nv4500 in and put a new or opened clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder it takes awhile for the air to bleed out of them. The air is bled through usage. When I changed both of mine I had to pump the clutch pedal 50 times everytime I drove it for about 10 days. The more you drive it the faster it will bleed. I called several transmission shops in different states and they all told me the same thing. After pumping it you will notice that it will be fairly stiff immediately upon pushing it. If you drive for awhile without shifting I would recommend pumping it 50 or so times from time to time. It does make it hard to shift. As my original master and slave were going out the first gear I had trouble with was reverse. It seemed difficult to shift. After a longe while 1st and then second started to give me problems. By the time 3rd and fourth started to act up I had made the determination that the problem was the clutch and not the fluid in the tranny. Once the system self bled after 10 days or so after changing the master and slave I was really surprised at how easily I could shift into any gear.

 

What kind/type of oil are you using in this transmission?

It really does make a big difference with these.

 

I do not know if the hydraulics are new or used, but I'm pretty sure he used a stock clutch and hydraulic units. I will find out. I'm fairly certain he used Syntorque transmission fluid. He did mention that there may be air in the slave cylinder. I found out for sure today that the transmission was rebuilt rather than remanufactured. He paid $1800 for a rebuilt transmission...seems alittle high...I could order one new or remanufactured from Blumenthals shipped for $1600-$1700...should I go that route if the tranny doesn't shift more smoothly soon?
Thanks for all the advice...I need it!
BlackBanshee

 

I would drive it around for a while before I got to worked up. Give everything time to seat and all the air worked outta the hyd system. If something really is wrong it will show its ugly face, I hope if there is a problem everyone stands behind their work.

 

Best way to remove air out of a clutch pedal/slave cylinder system and please try not to laugh...

Either jack the rear of the truck up in the air and put it on stands so the rear is higher than the front OR park the truck with the nose downhill and remove the slave cylinder reservoir cap overnight.It will allow the system to bleed off by itself with little or no hassle.I have done this with mine and many others and it has worked each time.Just remember to replace the cap back on the reservoir before you drive it the next day......Andy

 

Thanks to all for the advice. Ed has guaranteed his work and is willing to do whatever is necessary to correct any problems. redwake

 

To me it sounds as though you are not getting quite enough clutch disengagement. I do not know about the stock master cylinder, but the south bend one is adjustable. If it shifts fine with the engine dead I do not think it is the transmission, but this is just my opinion.

Waylan