All manuals will make some noise and it's typically caused by low fluid.
With the new shifter and its shorter throw, it's understandable that there's
less shock mounting and more resonance. My problem (dealer has the truck now
in fact) has to do with bad bearings on the countershaft, I suspect. It
cavitates below 1000 revs and sings the rest of the time with the sole
exception of 4th gear which bypasses the countershaft. A little noise is
normal but I want to hear the engine. I doubt it'll be quiet enough that I
won't hear something down the road but it's pretty friggin loud right now. Do
you have any pics of the install or scans of the instructions handy? I like
the look of the stock shifter but would like to tighten it up a bit - maybe
lower the fulcrum on it.
Does anyone know someone at New Venture or have an e-mail address? My dealer
tells me that he won't continue unless I let him flash the PCM and I'd rather
talk to New Venture to see if this is a documented problem. I'm still working
on the service manager with the whole 'there's no way this is computer-related
and I want my 235 horses when I drive home' aspect of the problem but will
likely take it elsewhere.
Crit
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Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 14:32:23 EDT
From: Aajaynefour@cs.com
Subject: DML: Hurst and the NV 3500 - Crit? (long)
After a week of use I can say that I am pleased with the Hurst shifter for
the NV3500. Shifts are crisp and positive and the throws are shortened by
half. I opted for the "softer" feeling shifter by removing the
smaller of
the two springs on either side of the shift mechanism (this is simple and the
instructions make it very clear). One aspect of the shifter that is not
mentioned in the advertising is the fact that you get increased transmission
noise in the cab. The mechanism responsible for the positive shifter feel
also acts like a big stethoscope. One advantage of this could be an audible
clue to impending transmission problems (synchros, bearings, shift forks
etc...). This brings me to a question/observation. How much transmission
noise is normal? The third, fourth and fifth gears are exceedingly noisy.
Sounds like there are a bunch of marbles in the gearbox. I tested this by
putting the transfer case in neutral and listening to each gear without
actually moving. Humm????
I also decided to change the fluid. Glad as hell I did this. The old fluid
was cloudy and full of brass filings. You could swish it around in the drain
pan and make art. Like pouring cream into coffee. The drain plug magnet was
also full of shavings. I suppose some amount of metal on the plug magnet is
normal otherwise there would not be a magnet. I really cannot believe there
is not a recommended service interval for the NV3500. Do it anyway, and
don't wait much longer than 12,000 mi. between changes. This fluid was only
13,000 miles old. I used 50% Mopar MTL, 25 % Redline MTL and 25% Redline MT
90. Really smoothed out the shifting. Despite what the FSM says, I could
only pump in about 4 pints of fluid not 4.8 pints. Anyone else?
P.S. Major tip here to anybody who might perform this mod. Do NOT reuse the
factory shift tower gasket with the Hurst shifter. They are not compatible
and you will destroy the factory gasket as I did and create a leak. I have
contacted Mr. Gasket and urged them to include stronger warning language in
the instructions to hopefully keep anyone else from making this mistake
Andrew
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