NV3550 is now making noise

[VT_Don]

re: "100K miles and it has never even had the oil changed."

I design and manufacture industrial gear boxes for a living, and have some insights into lubrication's role. Neglecting a fluid change is nothing to brag a about. The last NV3550 I had apart was packed with black sludge. It had 130K miles without any service. All four bearing shells, and all the roller bearing journals were destroyed. These are not a maintenance free transmission. Fresh fluid is cheap insurance.
This what I use,
http://syntheticlubricants.aerospac...&by=prod&filter=0&categid=1003&prodid=3001073

 

[blubuckaroo]

I haven't worked on a lot of late model vehicles with manual transmissions, so I may be a bit behind the times. I came from a time when the lube rack had only one drum of gear oil. Is there something about this transmission that makes it require such a sophisticated lubricant? Is this common with most newer manual shift transmissions? Since I don't know, I always follow the instructions in the owner's manual. Mine will get the $20 a quart stuff from the Chrysler dealer until I see my application listed on the bottle. Also, I'd never go to a lube shop because I'd be afraid the goober at the Jiffy Lube might top off my NV3550 with plain old 85W-90.

 

[BG's 68 Bronco]

Bringing this thread back to life, as I am looking at a possible NV3550 swap. I read it on a Wranger forum http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/if-...ssues-with-your-nv3550-look-inside-56322.html that it is now recommended to use a synthetic 10W 30 oil for the trans lubricant? Royal purple sycromesh is OK as well as Red line MT90, but a lot of the others are not good for the soft/yellow metals.

Anyone else have information on what lube to use? and how many miles have you put on the transmission... still happy with it or would you suggest a different 5 speed?

 

[John Marinan]

Bringing this thread back to life, as I am looking at a possible NV3550 swap. I read it on a Wranger forum http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/if-...ssues-with-your-nv3550-look-inside-56322.html that it is now recommended to use a synthetic 10W 30 oil for the trans lubricant? Royal purple sycromesh is OK as well as Red line MT90, but a lot of the others are not good for the soft/yellow metals.

Anyone else have information on what lube to use? and how many miles have you put on the transmission... still happy with it or would you suggest a different 5 speed?

I would recommend a new AX 15. The new ones are upgraded with hardened gears and a better shift mechanism, they are stronger than an NV 3550, and since they are still being made parts are easy to find. Mine works perfectly and is absolutely quiet. The new units can be purchased from RSG, Novak conversions, and Advance Adapters.

 

[BG's 68 Bronco]

I would recommend a new AX 15. The new ones are upgraded with hardened gears and a better shift mechanism, they are stronger than an NV 3550, and since they are still being made parts are easy to find. Mine works perfectly and is absolutely quiet. The new units can be purchased from RSG, Novak conversions, and Advance Adapters.

Did you use the AX15 with a NV3550 conversion kit? what about input output shafts size/splines... any differences and work with our EB's?

 

[John Marinan]

Did you use the AX15 with a NV3550 conversion kit? what about input output shafts size/splines... any differences and work with our EB's?

Advamce Adapters sells a kit for the AX 15. The Japan Tsunami damaged the factory so they did not have the tranny. I purchased mine from Rockwell Standard Gear, they call it the terminator. You have to do some modifications to the case, and the input shaft. These are fairly simple, there are threads and pictures on this forum. The only problem I had with the kit were the cap screws that bolt the front adapter, they were too long. Twin sticks are available from WH.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Bringing this thread back to life, as I am looking at a possible NV3550 swap. I read it on a Wranger forum http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/if-...ssues-with-your-nv3550-look-inside-56322.html that it is now recommended to use a synthetic 10W 30 oil for the trans lubricant? Royal purple sycromesh is OK as well as Red line MT90, but a lot of the others are not good for the soft/yellow metals.

Anyone else have information on what lube to use? and how many miles have you put on the transmission... still happy with it or would you suggest a different 5 speed?

So far I give it four stars! I have a couple thousand miles on mine now. Mine was converted from a C4 to manual so it drives a little more truck-like than before. The first gear is low but not "granny" so you can use it or skip it depending on the conditions. I pull a trailer at times and also do some cow-trailing so it has come in real handy. I think the biggest issue with noisy trannys and shift problems is from improper clutch adjustment. Another thing is AA supplies only 2 qts of oil and it takes at least 2.5 for a proper fill. What were they thinking?

 

[rfrescas]

Ive use regular Pennzoil Syncromesh with good results. Not noisy at all. I'd highly recommend the NV3550- its great for daily driving.