NV3550 Issues

[Tbiedler]

I recently purchased a 2004 Jeep TJ Rubicon with 158,000 miles on it. The NV3550 in it grinds pretty bad when downshifting into 2nd gear from 3rd gear. I’ve replaced the master and slave cylinders. When I changed the fluid to redline MTL-85, I noticed that the fluid in it looked like ATF and it had synchronizer material in it. Is there anything else I can do to save this transmission? I’ve been thinking about buying an ax-15 from Novak conversions if I absolutely have to.

 

[Chris]

Sounds like the transmission is toast. My advice would be to buy an AX-15 conversion from @NovakConversions. They are sponsors of the forum so reach out to them and I’m sure they’ll hook you up.

The AX-15 will be better in the long run.

 

[RMETeeJay]

They’re notchy until warmed up. Drain/fill again until no swarf seen. Any large pieces?

Do you have any lift? The shifter can run into the fascia, especially 2nd, preventing full throw.

 

[MikekiM]

Sounds like the transmission is toast. My advice would be to buy an AX-15 conversion from @NovakConversions. They are sponsors of the forum so reach out to them and I’m sure they’ll hook you up.

The AX-15 will be better in the long run.

I just bought the AX-15 from Novak to replace a boned NV3550.

@Chris.. I didn't ask about a discount.. I didn't know they were forum sponsors. Any idea what type of discount they normally offer?

 

[Tbiedler]

I just bought the AX-15 from Novak to replace a boned NV3550.

@Chris.. I didn't ask about a discount.. I didn't know they were forum sponsors. Any idea what type of discount they normally offer?

I read one of your posts about you having issues with the NV3550, how is the AX-15? Do you like it?

 

[TJ Jim]

I know on here lotta folks push the redline brand so I went from royal purple to redline and my 3550 got considerably more difficult to shift. Went back to Royal purple and it returned to somewhat easier to shift.
I’m not a preferred oil snob. Just telling you my experience.

 

[Chris]

I just bought the AX-15 from Novak to replace a boned NV3550.

@Chris.. I didn't ask about a discount.. I didn't know they were forum sponsors. Any idea what type of discount they normally offer?

I don’t even know if they do offer a discount. Doesn’t hurt to ask though is what I figured.

 

[tnjeepguy]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/hello-all.81779/#post-1641482

Cyber Monday.

 

[NovakConversions]

Sounds like the transmission is toast. My advice would be to buy an AX-15 conversion from @NovakConversions. They are sponsors of the forum so reach out to them and I’m sure they’ll hook you up.

The AX-15 will be better in the long run.

I just bought the AX-15 from Novak to replace a boned NV3550.

@Chris.. I didn't ask about a discount.. I didn't know they were forum sponsors. Any idea what type of discount they normally offer?

I don’t even know if they do offer a discount. Doesn’t hurt to ask though is what I figured.

Hey all! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

We are offering a 5% discount to forum members if you mention the forum at the time of ordering either on the phone or through email. I'll see about setting up a discount code for online orders as well.

Mike, sorry you didn't know about it when you ordered, this is a pretty new development. Next time you need something contact me directly and remind me about this and I'll get you taken care of on the next order.

-Dustin

 

[MikekiM]

I read one of your posts about you having issues with the NV3550, how is the AX-15? Do you like it?

I'll let you wednesday... new box is going in tomorrow

I know on here lotta folks push the redline brand so I went from royal purple to redline and my 3550 got considerably more difficult to shift. Went back to Royal purple and it returned to somewhat easier to shift.
I’m not a preferred oil snob. Just telling you my experience.

I had the opposite experience. When I flushed the NV3550 I used Redline. Shifts were a whole lot smoother and it got quieter too. It was still notchy
when cold. I am using Royal Purple in the AX15.

I don’t even know if they do offer a discount. Doesn’t hurt to ask though is what I figured.

Called them today. No discount.. at least not on the AX15 and associated bits.

Hey all! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

We are offering a 5% discount to forum members if you mention the forum at the time of ordering either on the phone or through email. I'll see about setting up a discount code for online orders as well.

Mike, sorry you didn't know about it when you ordered, this is a pretty new development. Next time you need something contact me directly and remind me about this and I'll get you taken care of on the next order.

-Dustin

hmmm... 5% savings would have been really nice. No way to get that applied to the order that was delivered this past Wednesday? It must be new.. I spoke with a few guys today and no-one was aware of it.

BTW, Jay is great to deal with.

 

[NovakConversions]

Called them today. No discount.. at least not on the AX15 and associated bits.


hmmm... 5% savings would have been really nice. No way to get that applied to the order that was delivered this past Wednesday? It must be new.. I spoke with a few guys today and no-one was aware of it.

BTW, Jay is great to deal with.

I just received approval from the boss when I posted about the discount, so it was just implemented today and you have to mention the forums for it to apply.

Unfortunately, we can't discount past orders.

Glad to hear the positive response from Jay! I'll make sure to tell him.

-Dustin

 

[Redneckerson38]

That's what mine was doing but then it got worse, I thought it was just a throw out bearing going bad, but then it started grinding in first second third and fifth, but it never did make any noise in fourth. I ended up getting a AX-15 from Novak and it now runs like a new one. when I first drove it after the install the shifting was very tight, almost to tight if that's a thing, but after about a thousand miles it feels like a new vehicle, and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[MikekiM]

That's what mine was doing but then it got worse, I thought it was just a throw out bearing going bad, but then it started grinding in first second third and fifth, but it never did make any noise in fourth. I ended up getting a AX-15 from Novak and it now runs like a new one. when I first drove it after the install the shifting was very tight, almost to tight if that's a thing, but after about a thousand miles it feels like a new vehicle, and I couldn't be happier with it.

You did NV3550 to a new Novak AX15?

Did you run into any snags? I did everything I could to eliminate any glitches including the reverse light pigtail and adjustable trans mount from Novak. Also did a new B&M short shifter (had one on the NV and loved it). Already had a t-case shift cable. Did the clutch kit, upgraded throw-out bearing, new bearing fork, clutch slave, Royal Purple fluid...

Really want the Jeep back on the road!!

 

[Redneckerson38]

You did NV3550 to a new Novak AX15?

Did you run into any snags? I did everything I could to eliminate any glitches including the reverse light pigtail and adjustable trans mount from Novak. Also did a new B&M short shifter (had one on the NV and loved it). Already had a t-case shift cable. Did the clutch kit, upgraded throw-out bearing, new bearing fork, clutch slave, Royal Purple fluid...

Really want the Jeep back on the road!!

yes NV to AX on a 04 tj, I had mine done by a shop because I do a lot of out of town work, so weekends are for as much family time and fun as I can fit into them. The shop that did mine had an extra ax-15 shift lever that he threw in there, I also got the transfer case shift cable from Novak installed and that works perfect too. they installed a new clutch/flywheel and bearings, a new trans mount, one new motor mount, and he replaced all the seals and a new bearing in the transfer case.

 

[MikekiM]

yes NV to AX on a 04 tj, I had mine done by a shop because I do a lot of out of town work, so weekends are for as much family time and fun as I can fit into them. The shop that did mine had an extra ax-15 shift lever that he threw in there, I also got the transfer case shift cable from Novak installed and that works perfect too. they installed a new clutch/flywheel and bearings, a new trans mount, one new motor mount, and he replaced all the seals and a new bearing in the transfer case.

And everything was a bolt in affair?

Sounds like exactly what I am doing. Hope it all comes together.
I have my shop doing it as well. My work hours are far too intense to try to fit in swapping a transmission and my TJ is my daily. It's already been down for close to two weeks as I gathered all the parts. I am hoping to get her back today.

 

[Tbiedler]

Update:
I ended up buying an AX-15 from Novak Conversions, and I was able to secure a 5% discount for being a forum user.

Everything was bolt-in and the only “fabrication” I needed to do was cut two little notches into the trans mount to clear some bolts. The transmission feels great.

 

[MikekiM]

Update:
I ended up buying an AX-15 from Novak Conversions, and I was able to secure a 5% discount for being a forum user.

Everything was bolt-in and the only “fabrication” I needed to do was cut two little notches into the trans mount to clear some bolts. The transmission feels great.

Glad you had a similar experience with the conversion. It's a job that I never would have embarked on had the transmission not shit the bed, but now that it's done, it's great. The NV 3550 had aged over time and candidly, I had no idea how bad it had gotten.. Never drove the TJ when it was new.

The 5% discount was instituted the week after I made my purchase so I wasn't able to take advantage of it.

The only fabrication I needed to do was to clearance the transfer case shifter cable bracket. I knew this in advance.
Nothing to do with the transmission conversion, but I went through three clutch master/slaves before finding one that wouldn't squeak and creak with every press of the clutch. Ultimately it was a LUK kit 5130107100.

I am finding it shifts feel great and overall the transmission is far quieter than the NV3550 with one exception. I have a high pitched whine, akin to a dentists drill, right at 2500 rpm when floating the throttle. If it persists, I suspect it is going to be more annoying once doors are off..

Are you hearing something similar? What gear lube did you use? I used Royal Purple SynchorMesh.

 

[Tbiedler]

Glad you had a similar experience with the conversion. It's a job that I never would have embarked on had the transmission not shit the bed, but now that it's done, it's great. The NV 3550 had aged over time and candidly, I had no idea how bad it had gotten.. Never drove the TJ when it was new.

The 5% discount was instituted the week after I made my purchase so I wasn't able to take advantage of it.

The only fabrication I needed to do was to clearance the transfer case shifter cable bracket. I knew this in advance.
Nothing to do with the transmission conversion, but I went through three clutch master/slaves before finding one that wouldn't squeak and creak with every press of the clutch. Ultimately it was a LUK kit 5130107100.

I am finding it shifts feel great and overall the transmission is far quieter than the NV3550 with one exception. I have a high pitched whine, akin to a dentists drill, right at 2500 rpm when floating the throttle. If it persists, I suspect it is going to be more annoying once doors are off..

Are you hearing something similar? What gear lube did you use? I used Royal Purple SynchorMesh.

Yeah my NV appeared to have had ATF in it when I drained it after I purchased the vehicle. I found out that the transmission was missing two bolts (bell housing to motor), and a dowel pin, (also bell housing to motor). The flywheel looked like it was resurfaced with a grinder and the teeth were bad off. Needless to say it was in terrible shape.

I have not experienced that whine, at least yet, the only whining it does is in reverse and I assume that is normal.

I am using Redline MT-90, and I plan on changing it again after 500 miles on the transmission because it is brand new and all.