How often do you mess with your NV3550?

[ejay]

Do you consider your manual transmission sealed and not in need of maintenance? Do you regularly check the fluid? Do you have a fluid change schedule outside of the suggested schedule due to your use? At 125k, I've never really needed to mess with mine. Sounds like a box of rocks with the clutch out but what NV3550 doesn't? Rumor was that the previous owner of my Jeep had the clutch replaced but nothing concrete in that regard. I got it with 50K so to burn out a clutch that quickly is not likely.

Just curious.

 

[SCiotola]

I just picked my TJ up with 128k on the clock. Shifts fine but is noisy so i was going to change the fluid for piece of mind this weekend.

 

[bromel]

I don't regularly check the fluid, even though I probably should. I try to change the gear oil with Redline MTL every 30,000 miles or so.

 

[EzPeezy]

You should definitely be changing the fluid at least SOME time. Nothing lasts forever.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

I don't have the NV3550 BUT I do have its noisy cousin, NSG370 hahah

I just dropped my trans this weekend to inspect my noisy TB. It had been a year since my LS swap and wanted to check on things anyways. I found that one of my clips from that attaches the TB to the clutch fork was slightly detached. I also found the shaft collar that the TB rides on to be very dirty/gritty. Inside of the TB itself was gritty and shitty...

So I went to dealer and replace pivot ball spring, TB springs, sanded down my shaft collar and greased the new TB (as it was still in great condition from my swap) and was very careful putting it back together, especially the slave cylinder.

I have never had my NSG370 be so quiet! I don't know if it was just one thing I did, or a combination. Keeping my fingers crossed

After the maintenance, test run after a long day of wheeling (usually when you can hear it over the V8 and compressor)

 

[ejay]

I don't have the NV3550 BUT I do have its noisy cousin, NSG370 hahah

I just dropped my trans this weekend to inspect my noisy TB. It had been a year since my LS swap and wanted to check on things anyways. I found that one of my clips from that attaches the TB to the clutch fork was slightly detached. I also found the shaft collar that the TB rides on to be very dirty/gritty. Inside of the TB itself was gritty and shitty...

So I went to dealer and replace pivot ball spring, TB springs, sanded down my shaft collar and greased the new TB (as it was still in great condition from my swap) and was very careful putting it back together, especially the slave cylinder.

I have never had my NSG370 be so quiet! I don't know if it was just one thing I did, or a combination. Keeping my fingers crossed

After the maintenance, test run after a long day of wheeling (usually when you can hear it over the V8 and compressor)







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I hope to never, ever, have to deal with a throw out bearing. I've head nothing but nightmare stories. There are few things I won't mess with and leave to the professionals to screw up and that would be one of them. Alignment is another.

I realize that fluid deteriorates overtime and nothing is a no maintenance system. I was just curious as to what others have got away with.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

Yeah water / mud is the manual trans worst nightmare! It sucks they are not sealed and if you get in a water/mud hole and have no choice but to shift to reverse/gears, you basically are sucking it right into the clutch

 

[Airjunky]

Sounds like a box of rocks with the clutch out but what NV3550 doesn't?

So I guess mine is the only one that doesn't sound like a box of rocks. Shifting into 2nd too quickly will grind, but thats about it. And slowing down the shift seems to manage that.

Shortly after I bought the Jeep at 115k miles I changed all the fluids, including the trans with Redline MTL. Before long the engine spun a rod bearing. I pulled the engine, rebuilt it, replaced the clutch..... and throw out bearing.... at that point. Pretty simple & hasn't changed in about 3k miles since.

 

[ejay]

So I guess mine is the only one that doesn't sound like a box of rocks.

What I mean by that is at idle in neutral/clutch out. Been like that for me since I got it. Nearly every NV3550 I've listened to sounds the same.

 

[Airjunky]

What I mean by that is at idle in neutral/clutch out. Been like that for me since I got it. Nearly every NV3550 I've listened to sounds the same.

Hmmm, I don't hear anything other than the engine & exhaust at that point. Are you using a stethoscope or something??

 

[RMETeeJay]

I just replaced my fluid because the vehicle was new to me and there were no records of it being done.

It's so easy to do, I don't see why someone wouldn't at least pull the fill hole and stick your finger in to check the fluid level and condition (color& smell). The only 'hassle' is getting the new fluid in. For that, just pick up a pump at any parts store and you can do the job in 30 minutes.

 

[ejay]

Hmmm, I don't hear anything other than the engine & exhaust at that point. Are you using a stethoscope or something??

Haha, no. Don't need one. Could be a release/throwout bearing but to be honest it's sounded the same for nearly 75k so I'm not too worried. It's a rattle (not a squeak or a whine, or thumps) and not really the kind of noise associated with something being terribly wrong in there.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

Haha, no. Don't need one. Could be a release bearing but to be honest it's sounded the same for nearly 75k so I'm not too worried. It's a rattle (not a squeak or a whine, or thumps) and not really the kind of noise associated with something being terribly wrong in there.

yup typical noise until you get water/ mud into that area...then it gets louder! Just don't clutch in while submerged haha

 

[Airjunky]

Haha, no. Don't need one. Could be a release/throwout bearing but to be honest it's sounded the same for nearly 75k so I'm not too worried. It's a rattle (not a squeak or a whine, or thumps) and not really the kind of noise associated with something being terribly wrong in there.

Yea, you sound like your "not too worried". Try the Redline MTL. It definitely changes how the trans sounds.

 

[ejay]

Yea, you sound like your "not too worried". Try the Redline MTL. It definitely changes how the trans sounds.

I plan to. Not too worried based on the time frame and the fact that I've heard it before on others without issue for tens of thousands of miles. Not just a local reputation of being a noisy tranny. Maybe not know throughout the universe....but