8 Speed Transmission Rebuild Cost

[14Fiveseven]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 8 speed transmission. I got quoted but Im at disbelief with the costs. I wanted to hear numbers first but from people who have actually had it done. Real numbers please. This shop was referred to me by a friend but im not too sure about the price. Obviously a rebuild is not always the same price but what is a price you wouldn’t pay. Thanks guys

 

[hoe...]

Just out of interest, how many miles on the transmission?
Was it regularly serviced, what happened to require a rebuild?

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[Sandevino]

Get ready for sticker shock...

The 8HP70 rebuild kits range from $1800 - $2400 depending on your kit, whether you replace the converter and whether it’s factory spec or performance oriented. If you’re rebuilding the transmission, I’d replace the converter.

Time to rebuild alone is 4-6 hours at whatever the labor rate is and don’t go with anyone inexperienced. Most good transmission shops charge $115 - $150 an hour. Remove and replace is $450 - $600 depending on driveline (2 or 4wd). Add ZF spec fluid to this at another $200 if you didn’t negotiate it into the install.

All told, you’re looking in the $4k range if you’ve got no internal gear damage and just replace gaskets, friction material and seals.

However, this is much cheaper than replacing the transmission as most out there are new.

 

[indept]

Just out of interest, how many miles on the transmission?
Was it regularly serviced, what happened to require a rebuild?

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Scotty Kilmer said it needed it since it's not a Ford.

 

[Princeton_Man]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 8 speed transmission. I got quoted but Im at disbelief with the costs. I wanted to hear numbers first but from people who have actually had it done. Real numbers please. This shop was referred to me by a friend but im not too sure about the price. Obviously a rebuild is not always the same price but what is a price you wouldn’t pay. Thanks guys

Are you planning to keep the truck?

I've had a few trannys rebuilt over my lifetime. None have ever been cheap and even a so called "best trans shop anywhere" had to do one of mine twice when they screwed up the first time. I've learned that rebuilds are not always the same price because most of them are not complete rebuilds. It's kind of like having four worn tires and only replacing the one that won't hold air. It's a cheaper option but, you'll be doing it again. The last time I had transmission trouble was with my 06 Sierra 2500HD. The estimates for a full rebuild at that time (2013) came in at around $3500-$4000 with a 12 month/12k mile warranty. Anything less than a complete rebuild is a crap shoot. If you don't replace the torque converter, it can go out and trash your fresh rebuild and that's not normally covered by the rebuild warranty. Same thing goes for the valve body. My GM dealer was able to install a GM factory rebuilt tranny with a new valve body and new torque converter for just under $4,000 and that came with a 3 year 36k mile warranty.

My advice is to weigh your options carefully and check with a couple reputable Ram dealers.

 

[chrisbh17]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 8 speed transmission. I got quoted but Im at disbelief with the costs. I wanted to hear numbers first but from people who have actually had it done. Real numbers please. This shop was referred to me by a friend but im not too sure about the price. Obviously a rebuild is not always the same price but what is a price you wouldn’t pay. Thanks guys

Maybe start looking on car-part.com, ebay, offerup, etc for a low mileage used unit?

Agreed with a previous reply that says make sure to get the torque converter as well. Im not sure how easy it is to change the fluid with the unit out of the truck, but if you do get a used one, I would look into changing or having someone change the fluid ASAP

EDIT: also, it looks like you can get a new Mopar unit with torque converter for about $3300. Expensive, YES! But its a good data point (because if someone was going to charge me 2500 to rebuild, Id think of spending the extra 800 to get brand new). Do note there is a hefty ($2500!) core charge involved.

 

[Sandevino]

This is one of the best explanations of how the ZF 8HP works and why it is so complicated to work on.

 

[PoMansRam]

Sorry if I missed it, but how does the rebuild price compare to a remanufactured 8HP70 or a low mileage used one? I recall seeing new unit pricing a while back and it wasn't that bad compared to other ATs. Wish I could find it..

I've got a local transmission shop that I somewhat trust, but I don't think I would ever trust them to rebuild my 8HP70. Remove and install a good one with some type of warranty, sure.

 

[chrisbh17]

Sorry if I missed it, but how does the rebuild price compare to a remanufactured 8HP70 or a low mileage used one? I recall seeing new unit pricing a while back and it wasn't that bad compared to other ATs. Wish I could find it..

I've got a local transmission shop that I somewhat trust, but I don't think I would ever trust them to rebuild my 8HP70. Remove and install a good one with some type of warranty, sure.

Quick check I found a new Mopar 8HP70 for $3300 + $2500 core charge (from a Mopar parts site, not just some random seller on Ebay). That even includes a new torque converter.

 

[PoMansRam]

Quick check I found a new Mopar 8HP70 for $3300 + $2500 core charge (from a Mopar parts site, not just some random seller on Ebay). That even includes a new torque converter.

So $5800 and you get the $2500 back when they receive a workable core. Maybe that's more than I thought! LOL.

So best case there, $3300, maybe $700-800 labor and incidentals like fluid, shop supplies, etc, you'd be looking at a ~$4500 bill.

 

[chrisbh17]

So $5800 and you get the $2500 back when they receive a workable core. Maybe that's more than I thought! LOL.

So best case there, $3300, maybe $700-800 labor and incidentals like fluid, shop supplies, etc, you'd be looking at a ~$4500 bill.

Correct, but with people talking about $2400-3000 rebuild, its not THAT crazy. I wouldnt trust anyone to rebuild an 8HP70 either.

If you can believe the Ebay sellers, low mileage units are going for $1000-1200. If you can get someone trustworthy to change the fluid and install it, you're looking at about $2K. Much more palatable, even without a warranty.

 

[indept]

Quick check I found a new Mopar 8HP70 for $3300 + $2500 core charge (from a Mopar parts site, not just some random seller on Ebay). That even includes a new torque converter.

Are you sure it's new? Typically there is no core on new parts, just rebuilt parts because they take your core, rebuild it, then sell that one.

 

[Sherman Bird]

My GM dealer was able to install a GM factory rebuilt tranny with a new valve body and new torque converter for just under $4,000 and that came with a 3 year 36k mile warranty.

I was a GM factory trained Transmission specialist for 20 years up until very early 2000. Since then, I've replaced several dozen GM transmissions with a SRTA unit I bought from my GM parts source, in my own shop. EVERY one of these units has a 3 year, 100,000 thousand mile warranty..... not 36,000 miles. Check back with that dealer to fidd out if there is some factor which reduces your mileage limit!

 

[rwhjr]

Are you sure it's new? Typically there is no core on new parts, just rebuilt parts because they take your core, rebuild it, then sell that one.

Is that true though?

I recently bought a new battery and they took the old one as a core charge? And I feel like I’ve bought other new parts and returned an old one for core charge too.

 

[indept]

Batteries are recycled since they contain lead so that's the reason for that. The only time i had to pay core was for remanufactured parts. I've bought new cv axles water pumps starters and alternators and never had a core.

 

[rwhjr]

Batteries are recycled since they contain lead so that's the reason for that. The only time i had to pay core was for remanufactured parts. I've bought new cv axles water pumps starters and alternators and never had a core.

I think the thing with the 8 speed is that even though you’re getting a new transmission....your used one still has a lot of value I guess.

So even though they might not reman it themselves maybe there some type of “wholesaler” or middle man that will take them and get them to the people who do reman them?

Who knows.

 

[Wild one]

Are you sure it's new? Typically there is no core on new parts, just rebuilt parts because they take your core, rebuild it, then sell that one.

There's a core charge on the new tranny,and they want it drained and in the same container your new transmission came in.

 

[Wild one]

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 8 speed transmission. I got quoted but Im at disbelief with the costs. I wanted to hear numbers first but from people who have actually had it done. Real numbers please. This shop was referred to me by a friend but im not too sure about the price. Obviously a rebuild is not always the same price but what is a price you wouldn’t pay. Thanks guys

Your dealer should be able to access a factory reman tranny for you,if a new one is out.It also has a 3 year warrenty. If your transmission let go and there's chunks of it in the pan,you'll want to seriously look at flushing the cooler,or buying a new one,and the heater assembly on the side of the transmission doesn't come with a new transmission,and you'll want to replace it,but good news is they aren't that expensive.You'll need somebody to program the tranny to the truck,before you move it . They aren't all that hard to replace on a driveway.

 

[RLJ10X]

In a case like this, if it was me, I do what I always do and ask myself "If money was no object, what would I do?"

I'd spend a little extra money up front and buy a new transmission. And if it needed a torque converter, I buy a new one of those also. I'm really lucky to have a good local dealership. I'd have them put it in; Because if anything wasn't 100%, it's their responsibility to make it right.

And finally, I'd find out why the last one went bad.

 

[46RamMan]

This is one of the best explanations of how the ZF 8HP works and why it is so complicated to work on.

That is one very complex. Back in the 60's and 70's I worked on pretty much every kind of trans that was out there , Gm, ford, Buick, Olds ,Pont ,Chrysler, etc from cast iron crusomatics to 727 torque flights to Olds slimjims Gm turbo 200, 350, 400. The new ones are a different breed for sure..