Transmission Problems

I have a 95 dodge ram and I'm having trouble shifting gears from a stop. This happens with all gears from 1st to Reverse. While in motion shifting will be fine, but at stop lights, i must shift into first before i stop.

-the clutch fluid resoivor is full and clean
-clutch doesn't slip under load or hard acceleration
-while shifting, gears DO NOT grind (while in motion)
-no strange noises when engaging/disengaging clutch
-new transmission fluid
-shift assembly tower inspected (good condition)

What could be the problem(s)???

I've read around the forum that is might be the pilot bearing? is this true? what happens when it fails? any symptoms?

Yep, as I was reading I was thinking of the throw-out bearing being shot, sometimes called a pilot bearing. Everything you mentioned seems to be the cause of a bad throw-out bearing, except that you said there are no strange noises when engaging/disengaging clutch. Usually when this bearing goes, the transmission will make noise, and it can only be stopped when you push the clutch to the floor. Then it should go away.

The fact that you can still shift probably means that it isn't that bad yet, but you'll be needing one of these bearings in the near future. These transmissions can take a beating and a half. Do you have lots of miles on this truck? Ever pull anything?

theres about 260 000km on this truck and i've never pulled anything, but probaby the previous owners have.

isnt the throw out bearing attached to the clutch fork? and does that push on the diagphram when disengaging the clutch?

as for the pilot bearing, does it just center the input shaft when the clutch is disengaged?

they arent the same are they??

and for my problem, is it possible that the pilot bearing is worn so bad it grabs the input shaft (while the clutch is engaged) causing it to slightly turn the input shaft, making it very difficult to shift into gears?

*for last post

and for my problem, is it possible that the pilot bearing is worn so bad it grabs the input shaft (while the clutch is **disengaged) causing it to slightly turn the input shaft, making it very difficult to shift into gears?

The pilot bearig is in the flywheel and is the centering point for the input shaft. Although anythings possible I dought it's worn out. The throwout bearing is on the clutch fork. Is there an inspection plate on the bottom of the bellhousing? Maybe you can see if clutch is worn out or get an idea of what shape throwout bearing is in. Hopefully syncros ai't your problem.

there is a small inspection cover but not enough to see anything. wouldnt the gears grind while shifting if synchros were worn?

and also pop out of gear?

I'm gonna shut up now cause I'm outta my league. I was thinking you couldn't get into 1st gear from neutral cause it was grinding. In looking up NV3500 transmission it looks different from what I'm used to. My understanding is Ram 1500's use NV3500 and 2500 3500's use NV4500. You can try asking here.


http://experts.about.com/q/809/

i've figured out it aint so much a transmission problem but a clutch problem. it doesnt seem to want to disengaged when i press the clutch. at a stop when i shift, there should be no grinding since the input shaft is not being turn, but in this case it is. i just cant figure out what it could be...

The pressure plate is not dissengageing the clutch disk enough. Its that simple. This is either from air in hydralics, excessively cut flywheel(too many times at machine shop) or weak springs on the pressure plate. As this effects forward and reverse then the comon denominator would be with in the clutch area. If problem effects a certain gear(like 2nd or 3rd) then tranny. If for sure the hydralics are ok then clutch kit it and all "should" be good :)

*Just a tranny guy rambling on*

alright thx!!