1998 DODGE RAM 1500 FRONT HUB

TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500..........1
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV4500..........43
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV5600..........88
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE........130
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 45RFE/545RFE.311
TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII...........415TRANSFER CASE - NV271................447
TRANSFER CASE - NV243................482
TRANSFER CASE - NV244 GENII...........512
TRANSFER CASE - NV273................542
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500
DESCRIPTION..........................1
OPERATION............................1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................3
REMOVAL.............................3
DISASSEMBLY..........................4CLEANING............................15
INSPECTION..........................16
ASSEMBLY............................17
INSTALLATION.........................39
SPECIFICATIONS.......................40
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................40
MANUAL TRANSMISSION -
NV3500
DESCRIPTION
The transmission is a medium-duty 5-speed, con-
stant mesh fully synchronized manual transmission
with fifth gear overdrive range. The transmission is
available in two and four-wheel drive configurations.
The transmission gear case consists of two aluminum
housings (Fig. 1). The clutch housing is an integral
part of the transmission front housing.
A combination of roller and ball bearings are used
to support the transmission shafts in the two hous-
ings. The transmission gears all rotate on caged type
needle bearings. A roller bearing is used between the
input and output shaft.
The transmission has a single shaft shift mecha-
nism with three shift forks all mounted on the shaft.
The shaft is supported in the front and rear housings
by bushings and one linear ball bearing. Internal
shift components consist of the forks, shaft, shift
lever socket and detent components
OPERATION
The manual transmission receives power through the
clutch assembly from the engine. The clutch disc issplined to the transmission input shaft and is turned at
engine speed at all times that the clutch is engaged.
The input shaft is connected to the transmission coun-
tershaft through the mesh of fourth speed gear on the
input shaft and the fourth countershaft gear. At this
point, all the transmission gears are spinning.
The driver selects a particular gear by moving the
shift lever to the desired gear position. This movement
moves the internal transmission shift components 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 synchronizer sleeve. As the
shift fork moves the synchronizer sleeve, the synchro-
nizer begins to speed-up or slow down the selected gear
(depending on whether we are up-shifting or down-shift-
ing). The synchronizer does this by having the synchro-
nizer hub splined to the mainshaft and moving the
blocker ring into contact with the gear's friction cone. As
the blocker ring and friction 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 synchronizer 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 synchro-
nizer.
DRTRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE 21 - 1

Inspect output shaft bearing retainer, the
U-shaped retainer must be flat and free of distortion.
Replace the retainer if the threads are damaged or if
the retainer is bent or cracked.
COUNTERSHAFT BEARINGS AND RACES
The countershaft bearings and races are machine
lapped during manufacture to form matched sets.
The bearings and races should not be interchanged.
NOTE: The bearing races are a permanent press fit
in the housings and are NOT serviceable. If a bear-
ing race becomes damaged, the front or rear hous-
ing must be replaced. A new countershaft bearing
will be supplied with each new housing for service
use.
REVERSE IDLER COMPONENTS
Inspect the idler gear, bearing, shaft, thrust
washer, wave washer and thrust plate. Replace the
bearing if any of the needle bearing rollers are worn,
chipped, cracked, flat-spotted or brinnelled. Also
replace the bearing if the plastic bearing cage is
damaged or distorted.
Replace thrust washer, wave washer or thrust
plate if cracked, chipped or worn. Replace idler gear
if the teeth are chipped, cracked or worn thin.
Replace shaft if worn, scored or the bolt threads are
damaged beyond repair. Replace support segment if
cracked or chipped and replace the idler attaching
bolts if the threads are damaged.
Shift Socket
Inspect the shift socket for wear or damage.
Replace the socket if the roll pin or shift shaft bores
are damaged. Minor nicks in the shift lever ball seat
in the socket can be smoothed down with 400 grit
emery or wet/dry paper. Replace the socket if the ball
seat is worn or cracked. Do not reuse the original
shift socket roll pin. Install anewpin during assem-
bly. The socket roll pin is approximately 33 mm
(1-1/4 in.) long.
Output Shaft And Geartrain
Inspect all gears for worn, cracked, chipped or bro-
ken teeth. Also check condition of the bearing bore in
each gear. The bores should be smooth and free of
surface damage. Discoloration of the gear bores is a
normal occurrence and is not a reason for replace-
ment. Replace gears only when tooth damage has
occurred or if the bores are brinnelled or severely
scored.
Inspect the shaft splines and bearings surfaces.
Minor nicks on the bearing surfaces can be smoothed
with 320/420 grit emery and final polished with cro-
cus cloth. Replace the shaft if the splines are dam-aged or bearing surfaces are deeply scored, worn or
brinnelled.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: Sealers are used at all case joints. Use
Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent for all case joints
and Mopar silicone sealer or equivalent for the
input shaft bearing retainer.
SYNCHRONIZER
(1) Slide sleeve onto the hub, leaving enough room
to install the spring in the hub and strut in the hub
groove.
(2) Install first spring in the hub, then install a
strut over the spring. Verify spring is seated in the
spring bore in the strut.
(3) Slide sleeve onto the hub far enough to hold
the first strut and spring in place.
(4) Place detent ball in the top of the strut, then
press the ball into place with a small screwdriver.
Work the sleeve over the ball to hold it in place.
(5) Repeat procedure for the remaining springs,
struts and balls. Use tape or rubber bands to tempo-
rarily secure each strut and ball as they are
installed.
(6) Verify the synchro three springs, struts and
detent balls are all in place (Fig. 49).
Fig. 49 SYNCHRONIZER COMPONENTS
1 - SLEEVE
2 - HUB SHOULDER
3 - SPRING (3)
4 - STRUT (3)
5 - DETENT BALL (3)
6 - HUB
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 17
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

OUTPUT SHAFT
NOTE: Lubricate shaft, gears, bearings and
immerse each synchro ring with recommended
lubricant during assembly. Petroleum jelly can be
used to hold parts in place.
(1) Install reverse gear needle bearing up against
shoulder on output shaft (Fig. 50).
(2) Install reverse gear over needle bearing (Fig.
51).
(3) Install brass synchro ring on reverse gear (Fig.
52).
(4) Start fifth-reverse synchro assembly on output
shaft splines by hand. Then seat synchro onto shaft
with shop press and Remover 6310-1 (Fig. 53).
CAUTION: One side of the hub has shoulders
around the hub bore, this side faces the front of the
shaft. One side of the sleeve is tapered the tapered
side faces the front of the shaft.
Fig. 50 REVERSE GEAR BEARING
1 - REVERSE GEAR BEARING
2 - SHOULDER
Fig. 51 REVERSE GEAR
1 - REVERSE GEAR
Fig. 52 REVERSE GEAR SYNCHRO
1 - REVERSE GEAR
2 - SYNCHRO RING
Fig. 53 FIFTH/REVERSE SYNCHRO ASSEMBLY
1 - SPACER
2 - PRESS RAM
3 - REVERSE GEAR
4 - FIFTH-REVERSE SYNCHRO ASSEMBLY
5 - REMOVER 6310-1
6 - PRESS BLOCKS
7 - OUTPUT SHAFT
21 - 18 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(23) Seat thrust washer retaining ring with plastic
mallet (Fig. 69).
(24) Install third gear needle bearing on shaft (Fig.
70).
(25) Install third gear on shaft and bearing (Fig.
71).
(26) Install third speed synchro ring on third gear
(Fig. 72).
(27) Start 3-4 synchro hub on output shaft splines
by hand (Fig. 73).
CAUTION: The 3-4 synchro hub and sleeve can be
installed backwards if care is not exercised. One
side of the sleeve has grooves in it, this side must
faces the front of the shaft.
Fig. 69 THRUST RETAINER
1 - PLASTIC MALLET
2 - THRUST WASHER RETAINING RING
Fig. 70 THIRD GEAR BEARING
1 - THIRD GEAR BEARING
Fig. 71 THIRD GEAR
1 - THIRD GEAR
2 - BEARING
Fig. 72 THIRD GEAR SYNCHRO RING
1 - THIRD SPEED SYNCHRO RING
2 - THIRD GEAR
Fig. 73 3-4 SYNCHRO HUB ON OUTPUT SHAFT
1 - GROOVED SIDE OF SLEEVE
2 - 3-4 SYNCHRO ASSEMBLY
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 23
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(28) Press 3-4 synchro assembly onto output shaft
with shop press and suitable size pipe (Fig. 74).
NOTE: Tool presses on hub must be as close to
output shaft as possible but not contacting the
shaft splines.
(29) Installnew3-4 synchro hub snap ring (Fig.
75). Verify snap ring is seated in groove.(30) Install output shaft bearing.
(31) Install output shaft bearing snap ring with
heavy duty snap ring pliers (Fig. 76). Verify snap
ring is seated in shaft groove.
NOTE: Spread snap ring only enough to install it.
(32) Verify position of synchro sleeves before pro-
ceeding (Fig. 77). Grooved side of 3-4 sleeve must
face forward. First gear side of 1-2 sleeve must face
first gear. Tapered side of fifth-reverse sleeve must
face forward.
REVERSE IDLER ASSEMBLY
(1) Lubricate idler components with gear lube.
(2) Slide idler gear bearing on shaft (Fig. 78).
Bearing fits either way on shaft.
(3) Slide gear onto shaft. Side of gear with recess
goes to rear (Fig. 78).
(4) Place first lock ball in dimple at rear end of
idler shaft (Fig. 78). Petroleum jelly can be used to
hold ball in place if desired.
(5) Slide thrust rear thrust washer onto shaft and
over lock ball (Fig. 79).
(6) Install snap ring in groove at rear of shaft (Fig.
79).
(7) Install lock ball in dimple at front of shaft.
Hold ball in place with petroleum jelly if desired.
Fig. 74 3-4 SYNCHRO ON OUTPUT SHAFT
1 - PRESS RAM
2 - PIPE TOOL
3 - 3-4 SYNCHRO
4 - THIRD SPEED SYNCHRO RING
Fig. 75 3-4 SYNCHRO HUB SNAP RING
1 - 3-4 SYNCHRO HUB SNAP RING
2 - HEAVY DUTY SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 76 OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING SNAP
1 - BEARING SNAP RING
2 - HEAVY DUTY SNAP RING PLIERS
21 - 24 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

GEARTRAIN ASSEMBLY
(1) Install Adapter 6747-1A on input shaft hub of
Fixture 6747 (Fig. 81). Then install Adapter 6747-2A
on front bearing hub of countershaft. Be sure the
shoulder is seated against the countershaft.
(2)
Install input shaft in fixture tool with Adapter Tool
6747-1A positioned under the shaft as shown (Fig. 82).
(3) Install pilot bearing in input shaft (Fig. 82).
NOTE: The side of the pilot bearing with the small
diameter goes toward the input shaft.(4) Install fourth gear synchro ring on input shaft
(Fig. 83).
(5) Adjust height of idler gear pedestal on fixture
(Fig. 84). Start with a basic height of 18.4 cm (7-1/4
in.). Final adjustment can be made after gear is posi-
tioned on pedestal.
Fig. 81 FIXTURE FOR GEARTRAIN BUILD-UP
1 - ADAPTER 6747-2A
2 - CUP 8115
3 - ADAPTER 6747-1A
4 - FIXTURE 6747
Fig. 82 PILOT BEARING & INPUT SHAFT
1 - PILOT BEARING
2 - INPUT SHAFT
Fig. 83 FOURTH GEAR SYNCHRO
1 - FOURTH GEAR SYNCHRO RING
2 - INPUT SHAFT
Fig. 84 IDLER PEDESTAL BASE HEIGHT
1 - REVERSE IDLER PEDESTAL
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 27
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(6) Install assembled output shaft and geartrain in
input shaft (Fig. 85). Carefully rotate output shaft
until the 3-4 synchro ring seats in synchro hub and
sleeve.
(7) Install Adapter 6747-2A on front bearing hub of
countershaft, if not previously done. The shoulder
goes toward the countershaft.
(8) Slide countershaft (and adapter) into fixture
slot. Verify countershaft and output shaft gears are
fully meshed with the mainshaft gears before pro-
ceeding (Fig. 86).
(9) Check alignment of countershaft and output
shaft gear teeth. Gears may not align perfectly a dif-
ference in height of 1.57 to 3.18 mm (1/16 to 1/8 in.)
will probably exist. This will not interfere with
assembly. If difference is greater than this, the coun-
tershaft adapter tool is probably upside down.
(10) Position reverse idler in support cup of fixture
(Fig. 87). Verify idler gear is properly meshed and
aligned with shaft gear teeth and that bolt holes are
facing out from the geartrain. Adjust pedestal up or
down if necessary and verify short end of idler shaft
is facing up as shown.
Fig. 85 OUTPUT SHAFT, GEARTRAIN & INPUT
SHAFT
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - INPUT SHAFT
3 - FIXTURE 6747
Fig. 86 COUNTERSHAFT ON FIXTURE
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - COUNTERSHAFT (SLIDE INTO PLACE ON FIXTURE TOOL)
Fig. 87 REVERSE IDLER ASSEMBLY ON FIXTURE
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - COUNTERSHAFT
3 - REVERSE IDLER ASSEMBLY
4 - PEDESTAL
21 - 28 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
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)