My nv4500 is junk,,, I think

[Richie O]

Used the 92 the other day to move some firewood. I had been hearing a noise but couldn't tell what it was for sure. It seems 1st, 2nd and 3rd have a bad bearing noise when I let off the gas pedal and let the engine slow me down. 4th and 5th are quiet. Oil level is up, shifts fine every gear. I was going on a small camp road in 1st and I believe it actually skipped a tooth on deceleration. A quick CLUNK. I assume I must have had a bearing fail. Can I pop a side cover off and check shaft play, or are things hidden from view? Of all 3 trucks I have I was sure the 4500 would be the last one to have tranny issues.

[Philip]

You can check the counter shaft threw the PTO adapter holes.

[Richie O]

K thanks Philip

[Richie O]

Finally checked out the tranny. Pulled the side cover and all looked mint. Oil all clear ( saved that pricey stuff ). I pryed up and down on the shafts and turned everything around several times. Found nothing,,, so,,,, backwards I went. Yep,,,, pulled rear cover off pumpkin. Broken pinion gears came ploppin out. The side bearings were gone. Carrier moved up, down, left and right about 1/8th to a 1/4 inch. The noise in the lower gears was just because of more engine effect braking when letting off. Its so hard to tell where the noise comes from in the driveline when stuff is broken. So, looks like a rebuild diff is in order,,,, wonderful.

[thrashingcows]

Doooh!!

Well really though I'm glad it was the rear and not the NV4500....it is an easier, and cheaper job.

[Tacoclaw]

We can send Pete up for an in-depth checkup on your rear end if your like.

Asomg as its good and greasy, he's in.

[Richie O]

Yup. rear is cheaper and easier for sure. Don't know if i will tackle it myself. Not really sure of myself getting it set up right. And yes, Pete loves getting his rubber gloves on.

[thrashingcows]

Yup. rear is cheaper and easier for sure. Don't know if i will tackle it myself. Not really sure of myself getting it set up right. And yes, Pete loves getting his rubber gloves on.

I decided to have both my diffs done by a guy I trust locally. I have never done any major diff work, but probably could have got it done...eventually. But my crewcab is my daily driver so I couldn't have it down for a long period of time.

I don't regret having this guy do my diffs...he's passionate about diff work, and is crazy OCD about stuff like me!

[Richie O]

I have done gear swaps,,,, but never personally done the gear ink pattern test. I would have to press it apart 10 times before I would figure out how to get it right. I have done "blind" gear swaps with great success but don't want to have something blow apart with the camper in tow out in the woods 40 miles from nowhere.

[oldestof11]

Or just find a good rear end and do a swap.

[thrashingcows]

Or just find a good rear end and do a swap.

Still a gamble in my books. Might be good for 100K miles...might blow up just down the road. And the money you spend on a replacement axle is probably 3/4 the price you'll pay to have the diff rebuilt.

I had both my diffs re-geared from 4.10 to 3.54, power loc rebuilt, and all new bearings, yokes etc. I paid about $1500 before taxes. To buy a used set of axles locally you will pay at least that much.

[Richie O]

Last swap I did was the holy grail 3.07 posi I found for my 89 back in 2004 ish. Paid a grand for the assembly from a junk yard. I almost pooped, yet I looked for over a month and that was all I could find anywhere. I would worry about swaping one in now as most parted trucks have the same or more miles on them as mine and its just worn out. I would love to find one in mint shape with low miles, but don't see that happening.