1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Shift lock

(8) Install front thrust washer on shaft and slide
washer up against gear and over lock ball (Fig. 80).
(9) Install wave washer, flat washer and remain-
ing snap ring on idler shaft (Fig. 80). Verify snap
ring is seated.
SHIFT SHAFT AND DETENT PLUNGER BUSHINGS/
BEARINGS
(1) Inspect shift shaft bushing and bearing for
damage.
(2) If necessary, the shift shaft bushing can be
replaced as follows:
(a) Locate a bolt that will thread into the bush-
ing without great effort.
(b) Thread the bolt into the bushing, allowing
the bolt to make its own threads in the bushing.
(c) Attach a slide hammer or suitable puller to
the bolt and remove bushing.(d) Use the short end of Installer 8119 to install
the new bushing.
(e) Bushing is correctly installed if flush with
the transmission case.
(3) If necessary, the shift shaft bearing can be
replaced as follows:
(a) Locate a bolt that will thread into the bear-
ing without great effort.
(b) Thread the bolt into the bearing as much as
possible.
(c) Attach a slide hammer or suitable puller to
the bolt and remove the bearing.
(d) Use the short end of Installer 8119 to install
the new bearing.
(e) Bearing is correctly installed if flush with the
transmission case.
(4) Inspect detent plunger bushings for damage.
NOTE: The detent plunger bushings are installed to
a specific depth. The space between the two bush-
ings when correctly installed contain an oil feed
hole. Do not attempt to install the bushings with
anything other than the specified tool or this oil
hole may become restricted.
(5) If necessary, the detent plunger bushings can
be replaced as follows:
(a) Using the long end of Installer 8119, drive
the detent bushings through the outer case and
into the shift shaft bore.
(b) Remove the bushings from the shift shaft
bore.
(c) Install a new detent plunger bushing on the
long end of Installer 8118.
(d) Start bushing in the detent plunger bore in
the case.
(e) Drive bushing into the bore until the tool
contacts the transmission case.
(f) Install a new detent plunger bushing on the
short end of Installer 8118.
(g) Start the bushing in the detent plunger bore
in the case.
(h) Drive bushing into the bore until the tool
contacts the transmission case.
Fig. 80 IDLER GEAR & SHAFT ASSEMBLY
1 - REAR OF SHAFT
2 - GEAR
3 - THRUST WASHER AND BALL
4 - WAVE WASHER
5 - FLAT WASHER
6 - FRONT OF SHAFT
7 - SNAP RING
8 - SNAP RING
21 - 26 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(4) Assemble shift shaft shift lever and bushing
(Fig. 102). Verify slot in bushing is facing up and roll
pin hole for lever is aligned with hole in shaft.
(5) Install assembled lever and bushing on shift
shaft (Fig. 103).(6) Slide shift shaft through 1-2 and fifth-reverse
fork and into shift lever opening in rear housing (Fig.
104).
(7) Align shift socket with shaft and slide shaft
through socket and into shift shaft bearing in rear
housing (Fig. 105).
(8) Rotate shift shaft so detent notches in shaft are
facing the TOP of the transmission housing.
CAUTION: Both shaft roll pins can be installed
when the shaft is 180É off. If this occurs, the trans-
mission will have to be disassembled again to cor-
rect shaft alignment.
Fig. 102 SHIFT SHAFT LEVER AND BUSHING
1 - SHAFT LEVER
2 - LEVER BUSHING
3 - BUSHING LOCK PIN SLOT
Fig. 103 SHIFT SHAFT LEVER AND BUSHING
1 - SHIFT SHAFT
2 - SHAFT LEVER AND BUSHING
3 - 3-4 FORK
Fig. 104 SHAFT LEVER OPENING
1 - SHIFT SHAFT
Fig. 105 SHIFT SOCKET
1 - SHIFT SOCKET
2 - SHIFT SHAFT
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 33
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(9) Select correctnewroll pin for shift shaft lever
(Fig. 106). Shaft lever roll pin is approximately 22
mm (7/8 in.) long. Shift socket roll pin is approxi-
mately 33 mm (1-1/4 in.) long.
(10) Align roll pin holes in shift shaft, lever and
bushing. Then start roll pin into shaft lever by hand
(Fig. 107).(11) Seat shaft lever roll pin with pin punch (Fig.
108).
CAUTION: Shaft lever roll pin must be flush with
the surface of the lever. The lever bushing will bind
on the roll pin if the pin is not seated flush.
(12) Verify that lock pin slot in lever bushing is
positioned as shown (Fig. 108).
(13) Align roll pin holes in shift socket and shift
shaft. Then start roll pin into shift shaft by hand
(Fig. 109).
Fig. 106 ROLL PIN IDENTIFICATION
1 - SHAFT LEVER ROLL PIN
2 - SHIFT SOCKET ROLL PIN
Fig. 107 SHIFT SHAFT ROLL PIN
1 - SHAFT LEVER ROLL PIN
2 - LEVER AND BUSHING
Fig. 108 SHIFT SHAFT/LEVER ROLL PIN
1 - BUSHING LOCK PIN SLOT
2 - SEAT ROLL PIN FLUSH WITH LEVER
Fig. 109 SHIFT SOCKET ROLL PIN
1 - ROLL PIN
2 - SHIFT SOCKET
3 - SHIFT SHAFT
21 - 34 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(12) Install shift shaft bushing lock bolt (Fig. 117).
Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to bolt
threads, shank and underside of bolt head before
installation.
CAUTION: If lock bolt cannot be fully installed the
shift shaft is not in Neutral, or the shaft bushing (or
lever) is misaligned.
(13) Lubricate then install shift shaft detent
plunger in housing bore. Lubricate plunger with
semi-synthetic/synthetic grease. Verify plunger is
fully seated in detent notch in shift shaft.
(14) Install detent spring inside plunger.
(15) Install detent plug in end of Installer 8123.
Position plug on detent spring and compress spring
until detent plug pilots in detent plunger bore. Drive
detent plug into transmission case until plug seats.
(16) Install backup light switch (Fig. 118).
(17) Install input shaft snap ring (Fig. 119).
(18) Installnewoil seal in front bearing retainer
with Installer 6448 (Fig. 120).(19) Apply bead of Mopar silicone sealer or equiv-
alent to flange surface of front bearing retainer (Fig.
121).
Fig. 117 SHAFT LOCK BOLT
1 - SHIFT SHAFT LOCK BOLT
2 - SHAFT SOCKET
Fig. 118 BACKUP LIGHT SWITCH
1 - BACKUP LIGHT SWITCH
Fig. 119 SHAFT SNAP RING - TYPICAL
1 - INPUT SHAFT SNAP RING
Fig. 120 BEARING RETAINER OIL SEAL
1 - INSTALLER
2 - FRONT BEARING RETAINER
Fig. 121 SEAL BEARING RETAINER - TYPICAL
1 - APPLY SEALER BEAD
2 - INPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 37
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

INSTALLATION
NOTE: If a new transmission is being installed, use
all components supplied with the new transmission.
For example, if a new shift tower is supplied, do not
re-use the original shift tower.
(1) Clean transmission front housing mounting
surface.
(2) Apply light coat of Mopar high temperature
bearing grease or equivalent to contact surfaces (Fig.
126) of following components:
²release fork ball stud.
²release bearing slide surface.
²input shaft splines.
²release bearing bore.
²propeller shaft slip yoke.
(3) Support and secure transmission to jack.
(4) Raise and align transmission input shaft with
clutch disc, then slide transmission into place.
(5) Verify front housing is fully seated. Install
transmission bolts without washers and tighten bolts
into the engine to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.). Tighten the
bolts with washers into the transmission to 68 N´m
(50 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 127).(6) Install rear crossmember and tighten nuts to
102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install transmission rear mounting bolts and
tighten to 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install front dust shield tighten bolt to 4.5 N´m
(40 in. lbs.). If cover was removed, install onto the
transmission and engine(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/EN-
GINE BLOCK/STRUCTURAL COVER - INSTALLA-
TION).
(9) Install structural dust cover and tighten the
bolts to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install starter motor.
(11) Install suspension crossmember and tighten
nuts to 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(12) Connect transmission harnesses to clips on
case and connect switches.
(13) Install slave cylinder and tighten cylinder
nuts to 23 N´m (200 in. lbs.).
(14) Install transfer case and transfer case linkage
if equipped.
(15) Remove transmission jack.
(16) Install propeller shaft/shafts with reference
marks aligned.
(17) Install exhaust on the exhaust manifolds.
(18) Fill transmission with lubricant. Correct fill
level is to bottom edge of fill plug hole.
Fig. 126 LUBRICATION POINTS
1 - RELEASE FORK
2 - FORK BALL STUD
3 - BEARING SLIDE SURFACE
4 - SPLINE
5 - RELEASE BEAING
Fig. 127 TRANSMISSION
1 - BOLT WITHOUT WASHER
2 - BOLT WITH WASHER
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 39
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

The driver selects a particular gear by moving the
shift lever to the desired gear position. This move-
ment moves the internal transmission shift compo-
nents to begin the shift sequence. As the shift lever
moves the selected shift rail, the shift fork attached
to that rail begins to move. The fork is positioned in
a groove in the outer circumference of the synchro-
nizer sleeve. As the shift fork moves the synchronizer
sleeve, the synchronizer begins to speed-up or slow
down the selected gear (depending on whether the
driver is up-shifting or down-shifting). The synchro-
nizer does this by having the synchronizer hub
splined to the mainshaft, or the countershaft in some
cases, and moving the blocker ring into contact with
the gear's friction cone. As the blocker ring and fric-
tion cone come together, the gear speed is brought up
or down to the speed of the synchronizer. As the two
speeds match, the splines on the inside of the syn-
chronizer sleeve become aligned with the teeth on
the blocker ring and the friction cone and eventually
will slide over the teeth, locking the gear to the
mainshaft, or countershaft, through the synchronizer.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
A low transmission lubricant level is generally the
result of a leak, inadequate lubricant fill or an incor-
rect lubricant level check. 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 recommendations 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.
Leaks can occur at the mating surfaces of the gear
case, adaptor or extension housing, or from the front/
rear seals. A suspected leak could also be the result
of an overfill condition. Leaks at the rear of the
extension or adapter housing will be from the hous-
ing oil seals. Leaks at component mating surfaces
will probably be the result of inadequate sealer, gaps
in the sealer, incorrect bolt tightening or use of a
non-recommended sealer. A leak at the front of the
transmission will be from either the front bearing
retainer or retainer seal. Lubricant may be seen drip-
ping from the clutch housing after extended opera-
tion. If the leak is severe, it may also contaminate
the clutch disc causing the disc to slip, grab and or
chatter.
HARD SHIFTING
Hard shifting is usually caused by a low lubricant
level, improper or contaminated lubricants. The con-
sequence of using non-recommended lubricants isnoise, 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
generally 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
(1) Shift transmission into Neutral.
(2) Remove shift boot screws from floorpan and
slide boot upward on the shift lever.
(3) Remove shift lever extension from shift tower
and lever assembly.
(4) Remove shift tower bolts (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 SHIFT TOWER
1 - SHIFT TOWER
2 - SHIFTER
3 - BOLTS
21 - 44 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

(5) Remove shift tower and isolator plate from
transmission shift cover.
(6) Raise and support vehicle.
(7) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(8) Mark propeller shaft and axle yokes for instal-
lation reference and remove shaft/shafts.
(9) Remove exhaust system Y-pipe.
(10) Disconnect speed sensor and backup light
switch connectors.
(11) Support engine with safety stand and a wood
block.
(12) If transmission is to be disassembled, remove
drain bolt at bottom of PTO cover and drain lubri-
cant (Fig. 3).
TWO WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Remove bolts attaching transmission to rear
crossmember mount.
(2) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(3) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmenber.
(4) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
NOTE: The hydraulic linkage has a quick connect at
the slave cylinder. This fitting should not be discon-
nected.
(5) Remove transmission harness wires from clips
on transmission shift cover.
(6) Remove transmission to clutch housing bolts.
(7) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch housing.
(8) Lower transmission jack and remove transmis-
sion from under vehicle.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(1) Disconnect transfer case shift linkage at trans-
fer case range lever. Then remove transfer case shift
mechanism from transmission (Fig. 4).
(2) Support and secure transfer case to transmis-
sion jack with safety chains.
(3) Remove transfer case mounting nuts.
(4) Move transfer case rearward until input gear
clears transmission mainshaft.
(5) Lower transfer case assembly and move it from
under vehicle.
(6) Support and secure transmission with safety
chains to a transmission jack.
(7) Remove transmission harness from retaining
clips on transmission shift cover.
(8) Remove bolts/nuts attaching transmission
mount to rear crossmember.
(9) Remove rear crossmember bolts and pry out
crossmenber.
(10) Remove clutch slave cylinder splash shield, if
equipped.
(11) Remove clutch slave cylinder bolts and move
cylinder aside for clearance.
NOTE: The hydraulic linkage has a quick connect at
the slave cylinder. This fitting should not be discon-
nected.
(12) Remove transmission to clutch housing bolts.
(13) Slide transmission and jack rearward until
input shaft clears clutch housing.
(14) Lower transmission jack and remove trans-
mission from under vehicle.
Fig. 3 FILL AND DRAIN PLUGS
1 - PTO COVER
2 - DRAIN BOLT
3 - FILL PLUG
Fig. 4 TRANSFER CASE SHIFTER-TYPICAL
1 - TRANSMISSION
2 - TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MECHANISM
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 21 - 45
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)

(28) Remove reverse clutch gear (Fig. 62).
(29) Remove first gear from bearing and mainshaft
(Fig. 63).
(30) Remove first gear bearing from mainshaft
(Fig. 64).
CLEANING
Clean the gears, shafts, shift components and
transmission housings with a standard parts clean-
ing solvent. Do not use acid or corrosive base sol-
vents. Dry all parts except bearings with compressed
air.
Clean the shaft bearings with a mild solvent such
as Mopar degreasing solvent, Gunk or similar sol-
vents. Do not dry the bearings with compressed air.
Allow the bearings to either air dry or wipe them dry
with clean shop towels.
INSPECTION
NOTE: Minor corrosion, nicks, or pitting can be
smoothed with 400 grit emery and polished out with
crocus cloth.
Inspect the reverse idler gear, bearings, shaft and
thrust washers. Replace the bearings if the rollers
are worn, chipped, cracked, flat-spotted or brinnelled.
Replace the gear if the teeth are chipped, cracked or
worn thin.
Inspect the front bearing retainer and bearing cup.
Replace the bearing cup if scored, cracked, brinnelled
or rough. Check the release bearing slide surface of
the retainer carefully. Replace the retainer if worn or
damaged in any way.
Inspect mainshaft bearing surfaces, splines, snap
ring grooves and threads. Replace the shaft if any
surfaces exhibit considerable wear or damage.
Inspect the countershaft and bearings. Replace the
shaft if any surfaces exhibit considerable wear or
damage.
Inspect shift forks for wear and distortion. Check
fit of the sleeve in the fork to be sure the two parts
fit and work smoothly. Replace the fork if the roll pin
holes are worn oversize or damaged. Do not attempt
to salvage a worn fork. Replace shift fork roll pins if
necessary or if doubt exists about their condition.
The all bearings for wear, roughness, flat spots,
pitting or other damage. Replace the bearings if nec-
essary.
Inspect the blocker rings and fiction cones. replace
either part if worn or damaged in any way. Replace if
the friction material is burned, flaking off or worn.
Inspect synchro components wear or damage.
Replace parts if worn, cracked or distorted.
Inspect all of the thrust washers and locating pins.
Replace the pins if bent or worn. Replace the wash-
ers if worn or the locating pin notches are distorted.
Inspect the case and housing/adapter sealing and
mating surfaces are free of burrs and nicks. InspcetFig. 62 Reverse Clutch Gear
1 - REVERSE CLUTCH GEAR
Fig. 63 FIRST GEAR
1 - FIRST GEAR
Fig. 64 FIRST GEAR BEARING
1 - MAINSHAFT
2 - FIRST GEAR BEARING
21 - 62 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500 (Continued)