Joined
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15,774 Posts
So, as many of you know, I've been dealing with some transmissions issues since my trip to Woodward August 2015. Started out as notchy shifting, replaced the bushings that month, redid the fluid a little while later. Shifting wasn't as bad, but still rough, and then I started having the third gear "popout" about 6 months ago.
I've dealt with it, driving it gingerly when I shift to 3rd (which sucks, because 3rd is the gear where you pull on nearly everything haha).
Today, I was on the interstate doing about 70, dropped to 4th to get around a semi, and suddenly wouldn't shift to 5th. Left it in neutral (stick not engaged in any slot) and it sounded as though it was still in gear, 4th is what it sounded like, to be precise, I was at about 65 at that point, basing it on RPM's. Put it back into 5th, hard notchy shift, was able to get to my destination, drove it very easy.
On the way back home (bout a 20 mile drive) very notchy in every gear, at stoplights, with the clutch pushed in, no noise, but leave it in neutral with clutch OUT, and it sounded like a clunky rattling spinning hoise. Drove VERY easy all the way home.
Backing into the garage is up a slight incline for me, and the transmission seemed to be catching hard and releasing, there was no "easy gliding in" like I usually have when backing in, same clanky spinning noise with the clutch out. Thankfully I got the girl parked, but I'm not sure what to make of this.
I've done a little research before on the transmissions, but I highly doubt I have the expertise to actually do the repairs myself. I'm wondering if this is the linkage, that will obviously be my first check, always check the easiest stuff first. My next thought, is the main shaft bearing or countershaft going out, causing it to go up and down and catch partially?
The odd thing is that it was so sudden this morning, this wasn't something I was dealing with at all before, makes me feel as though something failed, or (hopefully) just the linkage releasing or needing adjusting.
Either way I've got to get this transmission out because I'll need to be dealing that the 3rd gear "popout", and while it is out I'll need to replace the clutch to prepare for the Mopar Stage 3 install, to something that can handle 400 hp (I'll be hopefully at about 350 but I aim higher with the clutch to be safe).
I wish I was better at understanding transmissions, but other than doing swap outs, I've never broken them down and actually worked on them, needless to say not my expertise area at all. I'll likely have to get a shop to do the work but I just don't trust them with the car itself, I'll probably pull the tranny on my own and have them do the work, then reinstall it myself.
I'll likely be asking more questions about the parts I'll need to purchase, I know there is some cold forged items that were recommended, can they still be bought? That, a clutch, just wondering what all I should replace when I pull this, I'd like to get this baby to shift like butter, but I know Dodges, you can generally make them tough and reliable, but it is difficult to get them to shift super smooth haha.
I'll be doing more searching tonite on this, forgive me for not doing more now, not a lot of time with lunch here and needing to get back to work, besides, you know I love you guys and you'll give me a break on that >
Let me know your thoughts, also, who is probably the best active user on here in terms of tranny knowledge? As you know I'm keeping this car forever so I'm going to be doing everything I can to do as permanent a fix as possible. This isn't going to be "good for 3 years" fix...
I've dealt with it, driving it gingerly when I shift to 3rd (which sucks, because 3rd is the gear where you pull on nearly everything haha).
Today, I was on the interstate doing about 70, dropped to 4th to get around a semi, and suddenly wouldn't shift to 5th. Left it in neutral (stick not engaged in any slot) and it sounded as though it was still in gear, 4th is what it sounded like, to be precise, I was at about 65 at that point, basing it on RPM's. Put it back into 5th, hard notchy shift, was able to get to my destination, drove it very easy.
On the way back home (bout a 20 mile drive) very notchy in every gear, at stoplights, with the clutch pushed in, no noise, but leave it in neutral with clutch OUT, and it sounded like a clunky rattling spinning hoise. Drove VERY easy all the way home.
Backing into the garage is up a slight incline for me, and the transmission seemed to be catching hard and releasing, there was no "easy gliding in" like I usually have when backing in, same clanky spinning noise with the clutch out. Thankfully I got the girl parked, but I'm not sure what to make of this.
I've done a little research before on the transmissions, but I highly doubt I have the expertise to actually do the repairs myself. I'm wondering if this is the linkage, that will obviously be my first check, always check the easiest stuff first. My next thought, is the main shaft bearing or countershaft going out, causing it to go up and down and catch partially?
The odd thing is that it was so sudden this morning, this wasn't something I was dealing with at all before, makes me feel as though something failed, or (hopefully) just the linkage releasing or needing adjusting.
Either way I've got to get this transmission out because I'll need to be dealing that the 3rd gear "popout", and while it is out I'll need to replace the clutch to prepare for the Mopar Stage 3 install, to something that can handle 400 hp (I'll be hopefully at about 350 but I aim higher with the clutch to be safe).
I wish I was better at understanding transmissions, but other than doing swap outs, I've never broken them down and actually worked on them, needless to say not my expertise area at all. I'll likely have to get a shop to do the work but I just don't trust them with the car itself, I'll probably pull the tranny on my own and have them do the work, then reinstall it myself.
I'll likely be asking more questions about the parts I'll need to purchase, I know there is some cold forged items that were recommended, can they still be bought? That, a clutch, just wondering what all I should replace when I pull this, I'd like to get this baby to shift like butter, but I know Dodges, you can generally make them tough and reliable, but it is difficult to get them to shift super smooth haha.
I'll be doing more searching tonite on this, forgive me for not doing more now, not a lot of time with lunch here and needing to get back to work, besides, you know I love you guys and you'll give me a break on that >
Let me know your thoughts, also, who is probably the best active user on here in terms of tranny knowledge? As you know I'm keeping this car forever so I'm going to be doing everything I can to do as permanent a fix as possible. This isn't going to be "good for 3 years" fix...