Manual Transmission Fluid Change

[raiderelkhunter]

I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins 6 speed with 322k on it. It started getting a little difficult to shift this weekend and I was told by a co-worker to have the trans fluid changed and that would help.....is there any truth to that or any negative effects that COULD have?

Thanks

[Redneck Archer]

lol... I dont think its trans fluid. should be gear oil unless dodge did what ford did in their light duty tranny's

second. is it the original clutch?

does it grind or just hard to pull it into gear. I think those are hydrolic. you could have a little leak in your system OR your slave cylinder could be going out.

that is without knowing more about it and what exactly its doing.

[Alaskan]

I'm with redneck on this one. It's going to be the synchros or the throwout bearing. You can always drain the fluid and look for chunks of synchro. It's not like changing it is hard or expensive. It's more than likely just gear oil or ATF.

[Redneck Archer]

I'm with redneck on this one. It's going to be the synchros or the throwout bearing. You can always drain the fluid and look for chunks of synchro. It's not like changing it is hard or expensive. It's more than likely just gear oil or ATF.

if its grinding I could see it being syncro's... you probably wont see much draining it, and depending on what it holds plan for 60-80 bucks of I would bet 80-90 weight gear oil. (assuming here).

assuming its just hard to shift I still think slave cylinder.

if it was your throughout bearing you would hear more noises. squeeling screeching nasty kinds of things. I assume since you never mentioned any noises that is not the case.

I guess update us with more info. does it grind? is the truck squeeling screeching when on or off the clutch? do you have a place to check the clutch fluid (should be near the brake fluid on the drivers side of firewall. is it full? or low? have someone push the clutch while you are under watching the clutch fork (what the slave cylinder pushes) WITH PARKIUNG BREAK ON! does it appear to have a full range of motion or only push half way?

[raiderelkhunter]

Ok, I checked the clutch fluid and it is full. It is not screeching at all...it is just a mother bear to get into gear. I feel like it is the slave cylinder as well after reading more about it on the web. It is not the original clutch either, more like numero 3. Should I take it to the dodge house and bend over?

[Dale Moser]

Most slave cylinders can be replace in a few minutes with minimal tools......just need a hand....er, foot to help bleed it.

[kfd82]

Ok, I checked the clutch fluid and it is full. It is not screeching at all...it is just a mother bear to get into gear. I feel like it is the slave cylinder as well after reading more about it on the web. It is not the original clutch either, more like numero 3. Should I take it to the dodge house and bend over?

If you're not the kind of guy that can DIY it I'd take it to a reputable local transmission shop. They can Dx and fix it way cheaper than the dodge house.

[Redneck Archer]

Easy to do yourself. Just a line wrench for the pressure line. Wrench for the two or three bolts. Then a wrench to bleed it. And a second pair of feet like said above. Maybe a 30 minute to an hour job. But getting the bleeding right is the trick.

Just google how to bleed it correctly and jump into it with a friend or the wife

Sent on my epic from my tower

[raiderelkhunter]

ok, so I decided to go ahead and take it in yesterday.....and the clutch is cashed along with the throwout bearing and the pressure plate. Awesome. Best part is the $1900 to fix it. I think the boss man decided then it was time to order me a new truck...lol