Posted by Paul (in NY) on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 8:23AM :
In Reply to: Hey Paul in NY posted by Dan H on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 11:34PM :
Hi Dan;
Yes, they are a real sweet drive line. Nv-4500's from inception ( Both GM and Dodge) suffered a 5th gear lock nut problem. Under use the 5th gear nut could back off and cause extreem damage. Many aftermarket lock nut designs were developed, including a modification from NVG. I contacted NVG and was told that starting 1/1/99, all production started using a new design NVG lock nut system. It appears that from 1/1/99 the lock nut was bullet proof. All NV-4500's have a bar code tag glued on the top shifter cover. If you locate a NV-4500, email me the number and I can tell you date of build, heavy duty or standard duty. All my NV-4500's are
after 1/1/99.
Here is a letter I received from NVG that describes the problem;
" From: "John Malone" <JohnMalone@newventuregear.com>
Sent: January 2, 2003
Subject: NV 4500 Manditory Repair
Paul;
The NV 4500 Transmission as used in General Motors, Chevy and Dodge Trucks form its introduction to 1995 suffer a design problem in the 5th gear lock nut retainer. It is probable that during the life of the NV 4500 Transmission, the 5th gear retainer nut will loosen and allow the final 5th Overdrive Gear to fall off the shaft. When this happens SERIOUS damage will happen to the Overdrive. The more miles the transmission has, the more apt the fail to occur.
The update to eliminate this problem is a new 5th gear Nut with a newly designed retainer. The retro fit requires special tools and can not be done properly without the special tools. All Authorized New Venture Transmission stations can make the retro fit. The cost which includes a modification to the output shaft is $250.00, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars.
All transmissions modified by New Venture Transmissions will have the words "NEW NUT" stamped into the case by the top left Overdrive
mounting bolt. If these words are not there, consider the transmission as unmodified and a serious threat of failure. Transmissions built after January 1st, 1999 feature a new 5th gear nut locking.
I hope this answers your question on the 5th gear nut failures.
Sincerely
John Malone
NV 4500 Customer Support
New Venture Transmissions
Syracuse, NY "
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