memtb
Wyoming
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rhagfo wrote:Dual mass flywheel do your self a favor and contact South Bend clutch and see what they offer to rid yourself of it. Maybe a nice dual disk clutch, way less than $4K even with a shop install.
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^
The Ram “dual mass system is the “weak link” of the Ram manual transmission driveline. Go with Southbend or Valair clutch/pressure plate/ flywheel systems.....ultimately, you will be very happy you did. However, you will pick up a lot of transmission noise (aluminum transmission housing harmonics in conjunction with the Diesel engine). Many people suggest going to Mobil Delvac I 75W-90 as the transmission lube replacement....rather than ATF. The Mercedes transmission ( if it’s the same as ours) is the same transmission used in Europe on “big” trucks. They use the European equivalent to the oil I suggested. This lube offers better protection for the tyranny, helps tame the noise (harmonics) some, but makes shifting a bit stiffer when cold! Also recommended by many, when the tranny is refilled after clutch change-out, as it will be filled from the top thru the shift tower, add an additional quart of lube. This will also help with the transmission harmonics! memtb
Todd & Marianne
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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HappyKayakers wrote:It's the original clutch. No other symptoms. Driveline U joints were replaced a couple years ago.
Wow! You may actually have the longest lasting original dmf clutch ever!
In your case, if you want the ultra smooth and light pedal pressure of the dmf, I would absolutely replace it with OE Dodge clutch. If you don't plan on keeping the truck for another 180k miles and plan on selling anytime in the next idk 50k miles, I'd put in a good clutch as it will be a better selling point than the OE type.
(If you were not aware, these clutches are mostly regarded as junk and it's well known that they're the weak point in the drivetrain. Your clutch lived a charmed life for sure.)
"Yes Sir, Oct 10 1888, Those poor school children froze to death in their tracks. They did not even find them until Spring. Especially hard hit were the ones who had to trek uphill to school both ways, with no shoes." -Bert A.
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Bionic Man
Colorado
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You could always look into having a Cummins repair shop do it if you don't want to find a local transmission shop. That would give you a national warranty (or I assume it would).
Any dealer will likely be more expensive than a local shop. But I'm not sure I would complain at 185k miles. And not sure of the clutch being the weak link. Mine was fine for the 110k + I put on my truck with an NV5600.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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memtb wrote:rhagfo wrote:Dual mass flywheel do your self a favor and contact South Bend clutch and see what they offer to rid yourself of it. Maybe a nice dual disk clutch, way less than $4K even with a shop install.
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^
The Ram “dual mass system is the “weak link” of the Ram manual transmission driveline. Go with Southbend or Valair clutch/pressure plate/ flywheel systems.....ultimately, you will be very happy you did. However, you will pick up a lot of transmission noise (aluminum transmission housing harmonics in conjunction with the Diesel engine). Many people suggest going to Mobil Delvac I 75W-90 as the transmission lube replacement....rather than ATF. The Mercedes transmission ( if it’s the same as ours) is the same transmission used in Europe on “big” trucks. They use the European equivalent to the oil I suggested. This lube offers better protection for the tyranny, helps tame the noise (harmonics) some, but makes shifting a bit stiffer when cold! Also recommended by many, when the tranny is refilled after clutch change-out, as it will be filled from the top thru the shift tower, add an additional quart of lube. This will also help with the transmission harmonics! memtb Under no circumstances use anything other than the recommended transmission fluid in an NV5600 transmission. And that means no ATF, no Delvac 75W-90. And I don't believe the NV5600 has an aluminum transmission housing. Although that might be why it weighs a million pounds. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
As far as them wanting $4000, that's way out of line. I had a Valair Dual Disc clutch with new flywheel installed on my 2001 Cummins dually 2 1/2 years ago and it cost me about $1000 for the clutch/flywheel and about $600 to have it installed. FWIW the clutch is the known weak point with the OEM NV5600 transmission. I got 97,000 miles out of mine before it started to slip. If you tow heavy a lot, it's not a matter of "if", only a matter of "when".
And yes, a dealer will probably want almost double that amount, plus they will want to go back with OEM parts and you'll be looking at another visit if you keep the truck long enough. IMO skip the dealer.
* This post was
edited 09/10/19 04:16pm by fj12ryder *
Howard and Peggy
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Contact SouthBend Clutch. Complete flywheel, clutch and pressure-plate around $1,200 shipped to you. Ask for who they recommend in your area. $2,500 would be my total cost guess.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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fj12ryder wrote:memtb wrote:rhagfo wrote:Dual mass flywheel do your self a favor and contact South Bend clutch and see what they offer to rid yourself of it. Maybe a nice dual disk clutch, way less than $4K even with a shop install.
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^
The Ram “dual mass system is the “weak link” of the Ram manual transmission driveline. Go with Southbend or Valair clutch/pressure plate/ flywheel systems.....ultimately, you will be very happy you did. However, you will pick up a lot of transmission noise (aluminum transmission housing harmonics in conjunction with the Diesel engine). Many people suggest going to Mobil Delvac I 75W-90 as the transmission lube replacement....rather than ATF. The Mercedes transmission ( if it’s the same as ours) is the same transmission used in Europe on “big” trucks. They use the European equivalent to the oil I suggested. This lube offers better protection for the tyranny, helps tame the noise (harmonics) some, but makes shifting a bit stiffer when cold! Also recommended by many, when the tranny is refilled after clutch change-out, as it will be filled from the top thru the shift tower, add an additional quart of lube. This will also help with the transmission harmonics! memtb Under no circumstances use anything other than the recommended transmission fluid in an NV5600 transmission. And that means no ATF, no Delvac 75W-90. And I don't believe the NV5600 has an aluminum transmission housing. Although that might be why it weighs a million pounds.
As far as them wanting $4000, that's way out of line. I had a Valair Dual Disc clutch with new flywheel installed on my 2001 Cummins dually 2 1/2 years ago and it cost me about $1000 for the clutch/flywheel and about $600 to have it installed. FWIW the clutch is the known weak point with the OEM NV5600 transmission. I got 97,000 miles out of mine before it started to slip. If you tow heavy a lot, it's not a matter of "if", only a matter of "when".
And yes, a dealer will probably want almost double that amount, plus they will want to go back with OEM parts and you'll be looking at another visit if you keep the truck long enough. IMO skip the dealer.
Just to clarify a little ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
The OP doesn't have an NV5600, he has the G56 - totally different animal. His is lighter but weaker. It may even use syn. ATF - I'm not sure.
He has dual mass, NV5600 doesn't.
His is aluminum, NV5600 is cast iron.
And there are far better synthetic synchromesh fluids for the NV5600 than the OEM stuff. They make it shift better and wear less but that's not helpful to the OP who has the other trans.
To the OP,
Don't take it to a dealer or anywhere except a transmission shop. They will have the equipment to R&R the heavy assembly without hurting your truck.
This is a specialized job. Don't take it just anywhere.
I suggest a South Bend Clutch for the part itself.
* This post was
edited 09/10/19 07:04pm by ScottG *
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Thanks for the clarification. I saw Dodge, Cummins, 6-speed manual, and my mind leapt to "NV5600". Thanks for the correction.
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memtb
Wyoming
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fj12ryder....... Apology Acepted! memtb
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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memtb wrote:fj12ryder....... Apology Acepted! memtb
Awe, come on duke it out. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
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HappyKayakers
Somewhere in the USA
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Thanks for all the replies. I now feel a 'little' bit smarter about manual transmissions. I can also provide more info based on the dealer diag invoice. Based on noise at shutdown from the bell housing area they suspect the dual mass flywheel has broken springs. The quote was for parts and labor on flywheel and complete clutch assembly including hydraulics. Since it's still drivable, I'll probably look for a good transmission shop at my winter stop and discuss aftermarket parts. Drives between here and there are not mountainous.
Joe and Dakota, the wacko cat
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