My 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 with a NV3500 has a failing throw out bearing so its clutch time. I want to get all the parts ordered so once Im in there I have everything. This is where I started down the rabbit hole of looking at hundreds of photos, googling many different questions to find the answer and I think I have arrived at it finally but hoping someone can confirm. So I know the NV3500 and the AX15 share the same bell housing with an external slave cylinder basically. If you look up a NV3500 fork pivot you either find the press in for a GM NV3500 or nothing at all. From looking at photos, I know that the Dodge NV3500 bell housing is not the same and ours uses a screw in pivot ball vs a press in. Also, there is no threaded nipple but instead uses a clip to hold fork to pivot. Now, after look at many different parts I found that the5.2 was used in the 1996 Ram 2500 but with a NV4500. I can find the fork pivot for that easily, some sights reference it might fit other dodges or jeeps but doesnt confirm fitment for a 97 Ram 1500 with a NV3500 though. The parts manual from Dodge also didnt show the bell housing, clutch fork, or pivot so I had no OEM numbers to start my search with. I did find that the part number for some aftermarket clutch forks showed that a 1997 Jeep Wrangler with a 4.0, a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, and a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 with 5.2 all share the same clutch fork. So with that in mind one would think the fork pivot would also be the same. Hoping someone has ran into this and can confirm or provide a part number to get me in the right direction here.

 

I don't think I have ever had to replace the pivot for the fork........

 

Im one of those types of people that if I have to pull something to get access to a part Im replacing everything I can while in there so hopefully I dont have to go back in at a later date.

 

I come up with 52087542. LIttle over 30 bucks, and supposedly still available. Threads in. I assume number of drive wheels just doesn't matter for this particular part.

 

Thats the same one I keep finding but havent found a website that shows fitment for my truck specifically. But I think your right, I believe their interchangable. I remember doing a clutch on a Jeep Liberty and the machinist said the flywheel was junk and not worth saving. He had a spare out of a half ton he sold us and said it was the same used on the Liberty. Im thinking its the same case here of same parts across multiple applications. Guess I will have to be the test subject here and order one to see if its a match and then come back here to post an update for anyone in the future.

 

Theoretically, that's the correct one for your truck. Even though the NV3500 does not have a separate bellhousing as the pic indicates.... Not sure what that is all about though..... Is it just a shortcut for publishing purposes? Or was the bellhousing actually for the nv4500.....

Let us know how it works out.

 

I just got off the phone with a heavily experienced chrysler mechanic aka the old *** dude whos been there forever. He confirmed the part diagram is a copy and paste which causes alot of confusion cause the NV3500 bell housing isnt removable but yet the drawing the dealer has shows it is. With that, the part number you provided is indeed the correct part and he recommends changing them every time as the plastic on the end wears down over time or can even crack and come off causing problems. Thank you for the help and I will certainly report back if it does indeed fit and with part numbers to save someone the headache in the future.

 

Plastic on the end? That doesn't seem like such a good idea...... The ones I have dealt with were solid metal. No plastic, or anything else. A little grease on 'em, and call it a day. But, it HAS been quite some time since I pulled a trans.

 

I agree, Id rather have metal and will look at sourcing that. The part number 52087542 has plastic on the end if its the mopar brand and most aftermarket. But it does look like there is some all metal options out there. May order one of each to compare and if the all metal fits Ill use that one.

 

I am back with an update, I can confirm that a NV4500 Clutch Fork Pivot is the same as a NV3500 Clutch Fork Pivot. I sourced an all metal one from Ebay. Did my clutch yesterday and swapped them out with zero issues.