I posted a while back claiming that my synchros were gone and my NV5600 was junk(according to a local transmission shop I should look into having it replaced). Due to the advice from some helpful DTR members and my commonsense finally smacking me upside the head, I decided to just drive the tranny until it started having some "real" problems (other than just notchiness and the occasional tough shift).
I did have the transmission shop replace the old stock fluid w/ redline mtl and it really improved shifting(I didn't start to really notice the improved shiftability until after about 100miles of driving)-so much so that I think the transmission shop may have been "takin' me for a ride" or at least exaggerating the problem (that kind of job would have been big business for a shop of this size). The transmission shop did show me a lot of metal shavings from "my transmission" so I wanted to make sure they got all of it out before putting the new redline fluid in. Anyhow, since I couldn't find the old invoice I called them up and asked if they had cleaned all of the metal shavings out. They claimed that there was no way to flush the NV5600(they siad thats only for automatic trans) and therefor no way to get any metal shavings out other than what came out while draining the old fluid. Sooo....
--Are these guys BSing me? (As you can tell I know absolutely nothing about transmissions)
--If they left metal shavings in my NV5600, will they sink to the bottom and be harmless or float around and cause further damage?
--Whats the best way to get the rest of that crap out of my NV5600?
Any input is greatly appreciated-it already saved me from throwing away a good transmission and a lot of $ (dont fix it if it ain't broke and this 6spd is far from broke) --Did I forget to tell you guys, "I love this truck!!!" ----THANKS, Drew Stuart

 

Maybe a little late for this but if you had a lot of metal in the transmission, you could have drained it and filled it again a few times with conventional gear oil before making the switch to Redline.

That being said, there is a magnet inside the tranny that's supposed to catch the shavings.

 

When I changed mine out just before winter hit, I pulled both PTO covers off after draining it and just let it sit over night after wiping out as much oil as I could.

Sitting over night, it actually had a fair bit of extra oil drool out of it. Was worth the effort if you have the time to let it sit. I'll be doing it again in the next month or so when I change out the oil again.

Will probably go with MTL again but have had a few guys tell me that Amsoil MTF might be worth a try. Still looking into that.

Jeff

 

My trans is stubborn sometimes too. Going into 2nd from neutral from a start, then from 2nd to 3rd. Mainly when I first start driving it after a few miles or so its not as stubborn.

Is redline worth a try? If so what do I need and how may pints quarts?

 

MTL will make a difference, at least in my case it did. Some guys here on the board have noticed no difference.

I have used it for about 3 years now and like it. It is not a fill and forget about it oil. About every 6 months or so, I notice that the shift quality does degrade some, so I just change it out and it's as good as new (or as good as it gets).

Some might thinks it's a little excessive but oil is cheaper than a transmission in my mind.

Jeff

 

If your having trouble getting into second from neutral, there is a outside possibility that your pilot bearing is wearing or is worn there by slowing the
internal movement of the gears when the clutch is depressed. Had a friend with a 2000 like mine with a 5 speed, that had that problem. It got so bad, he had to pull it down. I

My 5600 is notchy going into 3rd and always has been. Its got 155k on it now and has not changed much since new. In cold weather the few times its been in cold up north, it would shift hard until it warmed up good. I now get an occassional grid going into 3rd. I can feel it before it happens by the way it comes out of 2nd not allowing the grind to happen.

Dave

 

I pulled the driver side pto cover at about 49k miles after draining the tranny, took the magnet out and cleaned it off. It didn't appear too bad, maybe an 1/8" of crud stuck to it. The stock fluid looked good, and even though it's supposed to be a lifetime fill, the 2 to 3 shift was a little rough on cold mornings, and going into reverse was sometimes a double clutcher, or put it into 1st before reverse. I put Royal Purple Synchromax in and it smoothed right out after driving it for a bit...100 to 200 miles.
If I remember correctly it's 9 pints (4.5 qts) and I actually lifted the rear of the truck to get it all in. So far so good, and worth the $$ imo.

 

Don't want to rob your thread but just a Q: Ive got a 180k mile old nv5600 never changed the fluid... should I ? If so with what? The manual says it is never needed and the side of the trans says I need some Texaco stuff?

 

I'd say unless it feels really bad to you, or you just have that burning desire to change it and look at the inside of the tranny, then don't worry about it.
Here's what the stock fill is:
http://www.klenger.net/dodge/general...uid/index.html
I put RP SynchroMax in mine.

 

Thanks for the link - I might just do it because....... you never know what the previous owner did

 

Kind of why I did mine too. That and I wanted to see if the RP would smooth it out....seems to me like it did a little.
btw, if by chance you don't know...the bottom center bolt on the driver side pto cover is the drain bolt....once it's drained, you can pull the whole cover and get inside to pull & clean the magnet. I used rtv to reseal the cover.