Dodge RAM flywheel

[HappyKayakers]

My '06 RAM 3500, 5.9l Cummins, 185k miles, recently started vibrating on me. Took it to the local Dodge dealer and they diagnosed flywheel, $4k to repair. Looking for input about options/alternatives. I'll be checking Cummins dealers to see if they could also do it and what their cost would be. I'm leery of taking it to a local mechanic since I'm a fulltimer and recourse could be problematic if it develops a problem 2000 miles away. Maybe some national chain mechanic? Transmission shop?

[HadEnough]

Just to add to the off topic a moment, Redline MTL is an amazing transmission fluid/lube for the NV5600.

Highly recommend it.

[memtb]

fj12ryder, Thanks! I’ve been known to “jump the gun” at times! No harm -no foul! memtb

[fj12ryder]

memtb wrote:
fj12ryder....... Apology Acepted! memtb

Yes, I do apologize for jumping the gun. I get a little paranoid with the NV5600 because, while they are a decent truck transmission, they do tend to be a bit fragile if not treated properly.

I'll try to do a little more comprehensive reading next time, and notice that it was a 2006 model. Doh.

[ScottG]

DONT keep driving it! It's beating the krap out of your transmission.
Dual Mass setups that fail are notorious for serious trans damage.

[rhagfo]

Just to add our 2001 with NV4500, replaced the factory clutch at about 240K had just added a DS Power Puck. Installed a Valair DD organic clutch nice clutch except when the pedal was depressed as the floater plate rattled, sounded like a bad throw bearing , my understanding is the SB isn’t as noisy.

[HappyKayakers]

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.

[Cummins12V98]

memtb wrote:
fj12ryder....... Apology Acepted! memtb

Awe, come on duke it out. :B

[memtb]

fj12ryder....... Apology Acepted! memtb

[fj12ryder]

Thanks for the clarification. I saw Dodge, Cummins, 6-speed manual, and my mind leapt to "NV5600". Thanks for the correction.

[ScottG]

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 😉
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.

[Cummins12V98]

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.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[Bionic_Man]

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.

[Grit_dog]

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.)

[memtb]

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