i found this and wanted to share with all who might want or need to fix the 5th gear problem. http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/21-10-98a.htm
A friends 01 dodge just lost 5th. It comes and goes. Plan is to just tighten nut then put a spot weld on.
reason i found it was i got a salvage yard 4500 tranny. has a small hole in back cover. wanted to make sure i wasnt opening a big can of worms when i remove it to have it tiged back shut. i think i will weld the nut in a spot or 2 when its off so i dont have that problem.
I'd just slap another nut on it and put it back together. The nut is what? $27? Mine usually stay put for 40K miles or better. When it comes off, I pull the tail section, replace the nut and put it back together. I just figure it as regular maintainence. Besides, it's about the time I need to change my tranny fluid anyway.
Tack welding simply doesn't work.....the gear will come loose again. If you are running a lot of power and/or tow heavy, a new nut will not hold for long, either. Once the gear has worked itself loose under load, the damage has already been done. If you really want to know how to fix the 5th gear problem, why it fails and to dispel the myths....look here : http://www.quad4x4.com/NV4500%205th%20Gear%20Failures%20and%20Solutions.htm#Nut_Woes Aside from getting the properly revised OEM 5th gear assembly, Quad 4x4 has the only proper fix for the problem that I have come across - these guys know their stuff! It isn't the cheapest route to go but certainly the most durable.
From quad4x4.com: The bottom line is: if you need a shaft and you can't afford a*Torque King®*Shaft Set, then, full spline shafts are the only other option despite the drawbacks. Note: Torque King® Shafts are No Longer Available.
