Transmission fluid and rear differential fluid change

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Elkman

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With my heavy duty diesel 2500 pickup with its Allison transmission there was a recommended change interval based on miles and years. But with every gas light truck or SUV or sedan there is generally no recommended mileage for changing the transmission fluid and the manuals advise only to change it when the transmision is being repaired.

A transmission flush is a very good way to damage the internal seals and end up needing the transmission rebuilt.
 

farout75

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So my 2014 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7 Hemi has 195k miles and I am deciding to change the transmission fluid and differential fluid as well since I am not sure how long since they've been changed. I've never done either change before so I am asking for advice as well as what are the correct type of fluids to buy and do I change the transmission fluid pan as I saw on youtube?. I also wonder what other fluids to change while I am under the truck already. Lastly I would greatly appreciate tools recommendations that will make these changes go smoother and easier if possible. Thank you.
Have the transmission flushed. Changing the pan/filter is a real pain. Has the truck been used for towing? If not sure or yes for towing than change the pan filter. Besure to do the axels and transfer case. For all the above my cost is less than $600. For me that was well worth it.
 

HEMIMANN

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Yes - wait until it breaks, then perform preventive maintenance. Great deal for the repair businesses.

Change your trans oil at least 50k miles, more frequently if you don't have a trans oil cooler bypass kit.
 

Burla

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How much does a dealer charge to change a transmission? How much of that is profit? If I was a manu or dealer I'd say lifetime fluids on everything, winner winner for me. I dont subscribe to flushes, but drain and fills all day no risk there.
 

JJRR

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I was told by the dealer that the book does not say to change the fluid on a 2014 8-speed trans. So I have 168000 miles on mine and am not worried because I have a lifetime warranty. It has paid for itself and then some. Get your manual out and check for yourself.
 

Wild one

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I was told by the dealer that the book does not say to change the fluid on a 2014 8-speed trans. So I have 168000 miles on mine and am not worried because I have a lifetime warranty. It has paid for itself and then some. Get your manual out and check for yourself.
And ZF says change it between 80,000 and 130,000 kms or 8 years,who you want to believe is up to you,but i'm not so inclined to believe the outfit that is only worried about selling me a new vehicle every 3 years,and could care less about the transmission as long as it makes it past the warrenty period. If the manual told you to jump off a bridge would you believe it ;) :cheers:
 
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Hattan

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200k miles time to change all fluids, most important first..

Clean throttle body change air filter after you shoot sea foam threw the vac lines and clean combustion chamber, drop a bottle redline si-1 in gas tank. Your combustion chamber is probably caked black. Might get a o2 code after the cleaning, let it ride most likely it will clean itself. I assume you will do engine oil as well, but you might want to wait for this to the end and cleaning combustion chamber will dirty up that oil.

BRAKE fluid
Transfer case
Coolant
Power steering if you have it
Blinker fluid for sure.

Wheel bearings with brakes when needed
pcv
plugs maybe coils
So far I changed the Brakes and rotors, coolant, and new plugs and cleaned the throttle body, and new air filter. I have not done the brake fluid, transfer case, or wheel bearings yet lol at the blinker fluid I had to think for a second there. I have not done brake fluid changes, or transfer case before so I don't know how to do it, and did not change the power steering fluid yet either. Any advice will be appreciated on that.
 
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Hattan

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What type of fluids do you guys recommend for the transmission fluid and what pan as well? also what type of fluid for the differential and transfer case, brake fluids, and all that were recommended too lol. Honestly, it's my first time doing most of it and I would like to learn how to do it correctly links to the products or specific names will help me order it easily. I will be using a two-post lift that we have in the garage so I would like to do most of these changes while I have the garage free for me to use. Thank you guys in advance I am learning these things as I go so any advice will be taken.
 

Burla

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Transfer case be careful, take off top bolt first, do not over torque, those cases crack easier then anyone think. You can paint a line or use painters tape to tighten to exact spot it is now, I think the spec is low like 12 INCH pounds. But I used paint a line method personally, I only could find my ft pound wrench at the time, you dont want to use that, lol. Amsoil has bags, or you will need slippery pete pump for redline c+ or atf4. You have the 8 speed? I think hemi395 uses amsoil multi vehicle fluid in a bag, no pump needed.

Brake fluid, I'd take it to pep boys or someone like that, usually somewhere around 150, ask for dot 4 fluid not dot 3. It isnt hard to do, but if you never done it this should avoid air in the lines or needing a dealer flash. You can look up youtubes, it is fairly easy with a buddy's help. If you get air in the system, messes up anti lock and pedal goes to floor.

You should have done wheel bearings at time of brakes, maybe just let that ride and know the symptoms of bad bearings in case. If you live in salt belt, either close to ocean or in snow country, you may want to just bite the bullet and do those bearings. If climate is mild, I'd pass on it. Again, there are youtubes, 4x4 a little more detailed but still doable.
 

HEMIMANN

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Yup transfer cases of cheap diecast aluminum don't have much tensile strength.
 

EdGs

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I have not done brake fluid changes, or transfer case before so I don't know how to do it, and did not change the power steering fluid yet either. Any advice will be appreciated on that.

You most likely have Electric steering rack, I believe.
 

Plainbroke

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I will pass I have contacted my amsoil rep for synthetics replacements.. Thanks anyways.
 

Dusty

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A couple of comments.

First, there are at least two types of transmission flushes. One forces ATF through the system by applying pressure from an external pump. This method was popular for a while until transmission shops realized that forced flushing loosens excessive debris that clogged valve bodies and sometimes caused more problems. Forced flushing is advocated by some just to blow out debris from the cooling lines, but some shops prefer to replace the lines if needed.

The second type, now much more popular, uses a bladder filled with ATF that is connected to the transmission pump low side and allows fluid to circulate at normal system pressure levels by drawing the fluid out of the bladder, foregoing the possibility of loosening debris.

Regarding fluid maintenance, the 2019 owners manual is ambiguous:

Fluid And Filter Changes Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the life of the vehicle. Routine fluid and filter changes are not required.

In the past there were "normal" duty and "severe" duty maintenance schedules in the manuals that usually prescribed transmission fluid changes for severe duty. Unfortunately, the manuals today may imply transmission maintenance by the above wording, it never indicates what they consider "normal" operating conditions.

Since fluids used in hydraulic systems can degrade over time, the price and aggravation of a fluid change may be worth it in the long run.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 80209 miles
 

Jocephus86

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Torque Spec and Sequence - I just purchased a used 2016 Ram 1500 that was leaking from the pan. The pan looks new, so it appears that someone changed out the fluid and filter and did not torque correctly. From Chilton's, you torque to 10 Nm or 89 in-lbs, and torque in a diagonal sequence.
 

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Jocephus86

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I have 3 x 1 qt bottles of Mopar Oem fluid left. I bought them from ebay about 3 years ago, and it's been sitting sealed in my garage. I had ppe pan installed and these 3 bottles were extras.

I'm not sure if transmission fluid has exploration date or not, but if you want to pay shipping for 3 bottles from CA then I can send it to you. I also have 2 sealed bottles of 5-20 redline oil which I can send you as well. I don't have my ram truck anymore so don't have a need.
If you still have the Mopar OEM fluid (transmission fluid, correct?) I'm interested.
Joe Pendergrast
 
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