2003 DODGE RAM tow

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. Leaks can occur at the
mating surfaces of the gear case, adaptor or exten-
sion housing, or from the front/rear seals. A sus-
pected leak could also be the result of an overfill
condition.
Leaks at the rear of the extension or adapter hous-
ing will be from the housing oil seals. Leaks at com-
ponent 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 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.
Shift component damage or damaged clutch pres-
sure plate or disc are additional probable causes of
increased shift effort. 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 and bearing
damage.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Shift transmission into Neutral.
(3) Remove shift boot bezel screws and slide boot
upward on shift lever extension.
(4) Remove shift lever extension from the shift
tower and lever assembly.
(5) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(6) Remove skid plate, if equipped.
(7) Drain lubricant if transmission will be disas-
sembled for service.
(8) Mark propeller shaft/shafts and companion
flange yoke/yokes for installation reference and
remove propeller shaft/shafts.
(9) Disconnect harness from clips on transmission
housing.
(10) Remove transfer case linkage if equipped.
(11) Remove transfer case mounting nuts and
remove transfer case if equipped.
(12) Remove slave cylinder mounting nut and
remove cylinder (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 SLAVE CYLINDER
1 - MOUNTING NUTS
2 - SLAVE CYLINDER
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(13) Remove starter motor, structural dust cover,
dust shield and suspension crossmember (Fig. 3).
(14) Remove exhaust pipe from the exhaust mani-
folds.
(15) Support engine with adjustable jack stand
and wood block.
(16) Support and secure transmission to a trans-
mission jack with safety chains.
(17) Remove bolts from the rear transmission
mount.
(18) Remove the rear crossmember and transmis-
sion mount (Fig. 4).(19) Remove bolts attaching transmission to the
engine.
(20) Move transmission rearward until input shaft
is clear of clutch disc and pressure plate. Then lower
jack and remove transmission from under vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
FRONT HOUSING
(1) Shift transmission into Neutral.
(2) If lubricant was not drained out of transmis-
sion during removal, remove drain plug and drain
lubricant.
(3) Inspect drain plug magnet for debris.
(4) Remove backup light switch located on passen-
ger side of rear housing (Fig. 5).
(5) Remove shift tower bolts and remove tower and
lever assembly (Fig. 6).
Fig. 3 DUST COVER
1 - DUST SHIELD
2 - STARTER MOTOR
3 - DUST COVER
4 - CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 4 CROSSMEMBER
1 - TRANSMISSION MOUNT
2 - CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 5 BACKUP LIGHT SWITCH
1 - BACKUP LIGHT SWITCH
Fig. 6 SHIFT TOWER
1 - SHIFT TOWER
2 - SHIFT SOCKET
3 - SEAL
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(15) Note position of input shaft, shift shaft, forks
and geartrain components in housing (Fig. 14).
SHIFT/FORK SHAFTS AND REVERSE IDLER
SEGMENT
(1) Place a shop towel over the shaft lever to con-
tain the lever detent ball and spring.
(2) Rotate lever and bushing upward out of the
shift forks and catch ball and spring (Fig. 15).
(3) Unseat shift socket roll pin with Remover 6858.
Position remover on shift shaft and center tool over
the roll pin. Verify tool legs are firmly seated on the
shift socket (Fig. 16).
(4) Tilt socket toward the side of the case to avoid
trapping the pin between the gear teeth.
(5) Tighten remover to press the roll pin down-
ward and out of the shift socket (Fig. 16).
NOTE: Roll pin must only clear the shift shaft. Do
not push the pin into the geartrain.
(6) Drive out shift bushing and lever roll pin with
a hammer and punch (Fig. 17).
NOTE: Use proper size punch to avoid bending the
shift shaft.
Fig. 15 DETENT SPRING AND BALL
1 - SHAFT LEVER
2 - SPRING AND BALL
3 - MAGNET
Fig. 16 SHIFT SOCKET
1 - REMOVER
2 - SHIFT SOCKET
Fig. 17 SHIFT SHAFT LEVER & BUSHING ROLL PIN
1 - PIN PUNCH
2 - BUSHING AND LEVER
3 - SHIFT SHAFT
Fig. 14 GEARTRAIN AND SHIFT COMPONENT
1 - SHIFT SHAFT
2 - BUSHING
3 - REAR HOUSING
4 - REVERSE IDLER AND SUPPORT
5 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARS
6 - COUNTERSHAFT
7 - 1-2 FORK
8 - INPUT SHAFT
9 - 3-4 FORK
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(12) Remove reverse idler shaft support segment
by sliding it straight out of housing.
(13) Support geartrain and rear housing on Fix-
ture 6747 as follows:
(a) Adjust height of reverse idler pedestal rod
until the reverse idle shaft bottoms in Cup 8115.
(b) Position Adapters 6747-1A and 6747-2A on
Fixture 6747.
(c) Slide fixture tool onto input shaft, counter-
shaft and idler gear (Fig. 23).
(d) Stand geartrain and rear housing upright on
fixture (Fig. 24). Have helper hold fixture tool in
place while housing and geartrain is being rotated
into upright position.
(14) Remove rear bolt holding reverse idler shaft
in housing.
REAR HOUSING - 2WD
(1) On 2-wheel drive transmission, remove three
bolts that attach output shaft bearing retainer to
rear case (Fig. 25). Bolts are rear of shift tower open-
ing.
Fig. 23 FIXTURE ASSEMBLY
1 - FIXTURE 6747
2 - ADAPTER 6747-1A
3 - CUP ADAPTER 8115
4 - REVERSE IDLER PEDESTAL
5 - ADAPTER 6747-2A
Fig. 24 GEARTRAIN & HOUSING ON FIXTURE
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - COUNTERSHAFT
3 - FIXTURE 6747
Fig. 25 OUTPUT SHAFT
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER BOLTS (THIRD BOLT
IS AT OPPOSITE SIDE OF CASE)
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(17) Remove reverse gear and needle bearing (Fig.
46).
REVERSE IDLER
(1) Remove idler gear snap rings (Fig. 47).
(2) Remove thrust washer, wave washer, thrust
plate and idler gear from shaft.
(3) Remove idler gear needle bearing from shaft.
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
SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY
The shift lever assembly is not serviceable. Replace
the lever and shift tower as an assembly if the tower,
lever, lever ball or internal components are worn or
damaged.
SHIFT SHAFT AND FORKS
Inspect the shift fork interlock arms and synchro
sleeve contact surfaces (Fig. 48). Replace any fork
exhibiting wear or damage in these areas. Do not
attempt to salvage shift forks.
Check condition of the shift shaft detent plunger
and spring. The plunger should be smooth and free of
nicks or scores. The plunger spring should be
straight and not collapsed, or distorted. Minor
scratches or nicks on the plunger can be smoothed
with 320/400 grit emery soaked in oil. Replace the
plunger and spring if in doubt about condition. Check
condition of detent plunger bushings. Replace if dam-
aged.
Inspect shift shaft, shift shaft bushing, bearing,
shaft lever and lever bushing that fits over the lever.
Replace shaft if bent, cracked or severely scored.
Minor burrs, nicks or scratches can be smoothed off
with 320/400 grit emery cloth followed by polishing
with crocus cloth. Replace the shift shaft bushing or
bearing if damaged.
Replace the shaft lever and bushing if either part
is deformed, or worn. Do not attempt to salvage these
parts as shift fork binding will occur. Replace the roll
pin that secures the lever to the shaft.
Fig. 47 Reverse Idler Components
1 - SNAP RING
2 - FLAT WASHER
3 - WAVE WASHER
4 - THRUST WASHER
5 - REVERSE IDLER GEAR6 - IDLER GEAR BEARING
7 - IDLER SHAFT
8 - THRUST WASHER
9 - SNAP RING
10 - THRUST WASHER LOCKBALLS
Fig. 46 REVERSE GEAR & NEEDLE BEARING
1 - REVERSE GEAR AND NEEDLE BEARING
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Fig. 77 SYNCHRO SLEEVE LOCATIONS
1 - DOUBLE GROOVE FORWARD
2 - GROOVE FORWARD
3 - FIRST GEAR SIDE MARKING TOWARD FIRST GEAR
4 - TAPER FORWARD5 - GROOVE FORWARD
6 - 5TH-REV SYNCHRO SLEEVE
7 - 1-2 SYNCHRO SLEEVE
8 - 3-4 SYNCHRO SLEEVE
Fig. 78 IDLER GEAR & BEARING
1 - IDLER GEAR
2 - BEARING
3 - LOCK BALL
4 - REAR OF SHAFTFig. 79 IDLER GEAR REAR THRUST WASHER
1 - LOCK BALL
2 - SNAP RING GROOVE
3 - THRUST WASHER
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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
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(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. 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
Fig. 85 OUTPUT SHAFT, GEARTRAIN & INPUT
SHAFT
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - INPUT SHAFT
3 - FIXTURE 6747
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)