O.K. Gentlemen, I had a surprise this morning, maybe you can help me out with this. My pickup started up and everything was perfect...until I went into 5th gear. It was just like I put it into neutral. What would cause this, and how easy is it to fix? The only thing I have done to this recently is to take the back drums off to check the shoes yesterday. I drove it after that with no problems at all. Please give me your best guess.

Thanks,
Rick

 

You lost your 5th gear nut. They are known for backing off!
Not a hard fix if it didnt damage anything else in the trans.

 

Yup, Sounds like the nut fell off. You will have to pull the tranny to put a new one on.

 

I don't suppose there are step-by-step instructions on how to do this? Do I have to buy a new part, or is the old one usable (was it destroyed when this happened? Should I go and put a double nut on this to keep it from happening again (seen this in another thread)?

Thanks for all your help,
Rick

 

Do some research! The proper fix is a new upgraded shaft and nut and you tear apart the trans.

 

The the TSB & upgraded nut that Chrysler sells doesn't have a shaft, neither does the one from Peirs Diesel. You don't have to pull the tranny to replace the nut.

but if you get a kit with a shaft too you'll have to pull the tranny to replace the shaft.


TSB for NV4500 loss of 5th gear

 

Maybe I'm dreaming, but wasn't there a fix for this that involved welding the nut so it can't back off??

 

You are not dreaming.....some have attempted welding the nut in place.....the dreaming only starts when you think that the weld will solve the problem as a permanent fix. If the 5th gear has started to wear on the shaft it will work itself loose no matter what. No more interference fit means one loosey goosey gear....

Look here for all the info you need : 5th gear problems and fixes