Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 1729

21 - 94 MANUAL - NV5600
MANUAL - NV5600 (Continued)
A leak at the front of the transmission will be from
either the front bearing retainer or retainer seal.
Lubricant may be seen dripping from the clutch
housing after extended operation. If the leak is
severe, it may also contaminate the clutch disc caus-
ing the disc to slip, grab and or chatter.
A correct lubricant level check can only be made
when the vehicle is level. Also allow the lubricant to
settle for a minute or so before checking. These rec-
ommendations will ensure an accurate check and
avoid an underfill or overfill condition. Always check
the lubricant level after any addition of fluid to avoid
an incorrect lubricant level condition.
HARD SHIFTING
Hard shifting is usually caused by a low lubricant
level, improper or contaminated lubricants. The con-
sequence of using non-recommended lubricants is
noise, excessive wear, internal bind and hard shift-
ing. Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear,
shift rail, synchro, and bearing damage. If a leak
goes undetected for an extended period, the first indi-
cations of component damage are usually hard shift-
ing and noise.
Component damage, incorrect clutch adjustment or
damaged clutch pressure plate or disc are additional
probable causes of increased shift effort. Incorrect
adjustment or a worn/damaged pressure plate or disc
can cause incorrect release. If clutch problem is
advanced, gear clash during shifts can result. Worn
or damaged synchro rings can cause gear clash when
shifting into any forward gear. In some new or
rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to
stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most
cases this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.
TRANSMISSION NOISE
Most manual transmissions make some noise dur-
ing normal operation. Rotating gears generate a mild
whine that is audible, but generally only at extreme
speeds.
Severe highly audible transmission noise is gener-
ally the initial indicator of a lubricant problem.
Insufficient, improper or contaminated lubricant will
promote rapid wear of gears, synchros, shift rails,
forks and bearings. The overheating caused by a
lubricant problem, can also lead to gear breakage.
REMOVAL
NOTE: Use a heavy duty scissors style transmis-
sion jack for remove of the transmission.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Shift transmission into Neutral.
(3) Remove screws attaching shift boot to floorpan.
Then slide boot upward on the shift lever.
(4) Remove the bolts holding the shift tower to the
isolator plate and transmission gear case.
(5) Remove the shift tower and isolator plate from
the transmission gear case.
(6) Raise and support vehicle.
(7) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(8) Mark propeller shaft/shafts and axle yokes for
installation reference.
(9) Remove propeller shaft.
(10) Disconnect and remove exhaust system as
necessary.
(11) Disconnect wires at backup light switch.
(12) Support engine with adjustable safety stand
and wood block.
(13) If transmission is to be disassembled for
repair, remove drain bolt at bottom of PTO cover and
drain lubricant from transmission (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 NV5600 Drain Bolt
1 - PTO COVER
2 - DRAIN BOLT
(14) Remove clutch slave cylinder splash shield, if
equipped.
(15) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
(16) Remove wire harness from clips on transmis-
sion.
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Remove bolts/nuts mounting transmission to
the rear mount.
(2) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(3) Remove rear crossmember.
(4) Remove transmission clutch housing bolts at
the engine block.
(5) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch disc and pressure plate.
(6) Lower transmission jack and remove transmis-
sion from under vehicle.
BR/BE