NV3550 Transmission Noise

[Iowajeeptj]

Hello,

My transmission is making a ticking noise (since I bought it.) From my research I have seen that it is either a bad throwout bearing or entirely normal. The noise goes away completely when the clutch pedal is pressed. Also, when it is cold outside the noise is reduced significantly. Should I just use a thicker oil to quiet it down or is something wrong? The transmission shifts smoothly the noise is the only problem. (besides a squeaky clutch pedal but that is another matter)

2000 Wrangler Sahara, Manual trans, 4.0 engine

 

[Jamison C]

Yeah you have the NV3550 which is also known as a “box of rocks.” Mine does the same until I push the clutch in. Totally normal. You could try using Redline MTL if it isn’t already in there, but when I made the fluid switch it didn’t do much for the noise.

 

[Flivver250]

+1 ↑ on Red Line. Can't hurt, may help.

 

[K0LCB]

Gear rattle, if it ever quits, you are in trouble

 

[Chris]

Yeah you have the NV3550 which is also known as a “box of rocks.” Mine does the same until I push the clutch in. Totally normal. You could try using Redline MTL if it isn’t already in there, but when I made the fluid switch it didn’t do much for the noise.

X2 to this. Redline MTL is what I would suggest.

 

[ptw]

what the others said..my 3550 is very noisy but shifts fine

 

[Iowajeeptj]

Yeah you have the NV3550 which is also known as a “box of rocks.” Mine does the same until I push the clutch in. Totally normal. You could try using Redline MTL if it isn’t already in there, but when I made the fluid switch it didn’t do much for the noise.

Thanks! I'll try the redline and see where that gets me.. if it doesn't help much I might just put some sound deadening in. Just glad I dont have to tear it down to replace that throwout bearing... yet

 

[A. Paul]

Back when I had an NV3550 I pulled the shifter assembly and flushed the entire thing out with kerosene. Then refilled the thing from the top, I was able to get ALL the fluid in. Made it way quieter and the shift throws felt like a hot knife through butter.

 

[Iowajeeptj]

Back when I had an NV3550 I pulled the shifter assembly and flushed the entire thing out with kerosene. Then refilled the thing from the top, I was able to get ALL the fluid in. Made it way quieter and the shift throws felt like a hot knife through butter.

I will try this

 

[chino1969]

Hello,

My transmission is making a ticking noise (since I bought it.) From my research I have seen that it is either a bad throwout bearing or entirely normal. The noise goes away completely when the clutch pedal is pressed. Also, when it is cold outside the noise is reduced significantly. Should I just use a thicker oil to quiet it down or is something wrong? The transmission shifts smoothly the noise is the only problem. (besides a squeaky clutch pedal but that is another matter)

2000 Wrangler Sahara, Manual trans, 4.0 engine

My 2004 TJ does the same damned thing. I test drove several before I bought mine and they did the same thing. I switched over to Redline MTL and it still does the same damned thing. Just learn to live with the same damned thing.

 

[SPI-4WD]

Any body try putting heavier transmission oil in the NV3550 tranny to stop the bearing/gear rattle. possibly adding a little 75 weight.

 

[Flivver250]

Any body try putting heavier transmission oil in the NV3550 tranny to stop the bearing/gear rattle. possibly adding a little 75 weight.

Yes I did. Made it much worse. Red Line MTL is tried and true. Expensive, but it works well in that tranny. I was not a believer until after stubbornly ignoring the advice and trying standard gear oil. Immediately switched to Red Line and never looked back.

 

[bromel]

As others have said, it's typical gear rattle. Redline MTL quiets it down slightly compared to Mopar fluid. It has nothing to do with the throwout bearing, which is only engaged when you push down on the clutch.

 

[Flivver250]

After typing this, I went and changed my tranny fluid as I had installed a used low mileage tranny a few months back. I had a shop do the work because it was too darn hot out for me to do it. They evidently topped mine off with the Red Line I supplied, but had not drained completely. Glad I drained and refilled. It was dirtier than I would stand for. Now it is fresh as a daisy.

 

[rbonjorno]

Don't know about y'all, but mine was noisy in neutral with the clutch out, and even noticeable accelerating in lower gears. Sounded like a bearing noise. Replaced the input shaft bearing and it is now, i think, quieter than it ever was, and i've owned since new, almost 21 years. 2001 Wrangler Sahara.