I have to take out my trans and replace the clutch. I figured this would be a good time to weld the 5th gear nut. My question is - Where do I separate the transmission and transfer case to get to the nut? right at the back of the transmission, or further towards the back of the truck near the transfer case. I see 2 places I could split it. thanks, -Evan

 

I don't know about where to split it, but welding the nut doesn't sound like a good idea. My dads pickup had to have 5th gear redone because of loosing the nut and when we took it it they showed us a new style nut that was built to be locktighted and it also had a clamp-down design, (you thread it on, torque it, and then it had a screw that you would tighten and it would clamp down on the threads). worked quite well.

 

hmm, where can i find a nut like that? My 5th gear is fine now, but I want to prevent the problem now while I have the trans out!

 

I believe Quad4x4.com has the 5'th gear nut fix kits. That's what is on mine.

 

B is to separate transfer case from transmission.

A is the rear transmission cover, that's where the 5th gear is under.

BTW I always thought the transmission looks like was originally a 4 speed and the "slapped" a 5th gear on the outside of it, it's almost completely separate from the other 4 gears.

 

thanks for the replies. I took it apart tonight and got a surprise - It looks like someones been in there and replaced the nut. It is the clamp style nut. Did that come factory? I thought the factory ones were just plain nuts. I bought it from the original owner (80 year old couple) with 49,000 mi.

 

Clamp style nut is defintely a replacement.

 

I thought the real fix for fifth gear was to replace the shaft with one that was fully splined! The original is not completely splined and allows the gear to move slightly and back the nut off!

Ronnie

 

That is true. The nut is a retrofit that is supposed to work just as well.

 

glad its taken care of for you. when i lost the nut in my 97 chevy, it was a costy issue...truck was never the same again

brett

 

wow!, I didn't know chevy's had the same problem, what all happened? What wasn't the same about it after that? Just curious.

 

I just bought a '97 5 speed with a re-manufactured transmission from Engine and Transmission exchange. I called them and they say they have a tool that torques them up to the correct 250 ? lb-ft of torque and then green loc tight the nut.

anyone know if that is a good fix? I was prepared for them to tell me they either put in the splined shaft or use the new clam nut. Know I do not know if I should have any concern for this approach.