I screwed up and ran it w/o oil. I just had the 5.3L/NV4500 60 running after 7 years... Seems the 5th gear part was the only affected area. Big props to @cruisermatt for guiding through since I’ve never opened up a transmission.
NV4500 damage caused by my mistake
- Thread starter meatloaf
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Spend the $1400 on a rebuilt one from High Impact and send that one in as a core.
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So you don't think that just replacing the 5th gear components will do? $1400 is not in the budget right now
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There are four tapered roller bearings inside the transmission that you can't see without disassembly. As well as 6 needle roller bearings. I would take the whole thing apart and make sure the bearings/races aren't chewed up from lack of lubrication before spending a dime on this transmission
please learn from my mistakes
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Makes sense
Had the 5th gear fix been done on that? I've had several tell me there's a design flaw on the 5th gear assembly of the NV4500 that's an easy fix. Obviously that has nothing to do with what happened in your case now; was just curious.
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that one. My future plans (hopes) are an LQ9 with an NV4500 so if Chevy trannies don't have the 5th gear issue, that'd be convenient.
Out of curiosity, what oil do you use? I use Red Line MT-90 in my H55F and tcase, and it works great.
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The NV4500 uses specific Chevy oil (or Castrol Syntorq) designed for this tranny otherwise it can damage the synchros
That's interesting. I would've assumed (not knowing the internals of the NV4500) the synchros would be bronze like in most slush boxes, which would call for a GL4 spec which the MT-90 meets. Not the case for the 4500?
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correct
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@Spook50, I had my transmission rebuilt but I am having trouble finding the Syntorq or GM specific oils. I found this online What Oil Should I Put in My NV4500? Looks like the Redline MT85 is an option. Guy that rebuilt my tranny recommends the Valvoline synchromesh, he says it is the same oil in the Dodge transmissions. says he has been rebuilding transmissions for ~40 years
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I'm running MT85 right now
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4 quarts, correct?
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4 is what's on the spec sheet. Many use 5 though
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Thanks @cruisermatt , what the advantage of using 5?
I think the guy who rebuilt mine put in the recommended amount plus an extra quart. Says he's been doing that for years. Not sure why he would do that but I've no issues and it's been a couple of years now.
It looks to me like your trans has had the 5th gear upgrade done (that clamp behind the gear). The fifth gear issues were limited only to Dodges because the Cummins made more torque than anything Chevy put in front of that trans. Those "issues" were engines tuned up to ridiculous levels and pulling ridiculous loads. In other words, don't worry about it.
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