2017 ram 1500 5.7 hemi 8 speed transmission issue?

[TOM153]

Hello I have 120,000 miles on my 2017 ram never did transmission fluid change on it but now getting a shudder only on the first reverse to forward in the morning. Backing out of my driveway in reverse then putting it in forward it’s almost like the gears have a hard time catching and it shudders. Anyone have an issue like this? Could it simply be just old fluid?

 

[QwikKota]

A pain drain and fill can't hurt anything if done correctly.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

^^^^ This!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Hello I have 120,000 miles on my 2017 ram never did transmission fluid change on it but now getting a shudder only on the first reverse to forward in the morning. Backing out of my driveway in reverse then putting it in forward it’s almost like the gears have a hard time catching and it shudders. Anyone have an issue like this? Could it simply be just old fluid?

Also a great time to consider installing the @caulk04 transmission cooler bypass upgrade.

This tried, tested, and true upgrade will lower your trans fluid at operating temps by up to 30 deg/c and your engine temps by 3 to 5 deg/c as well.

I'd also take a sample of the old fluid and send it in to Blackstone Labs for a complete workup; if you choose to (pls post the results here in our forum as this will be great info to have for the database and more so for your own knowledge)

 

[TOM153]

A pain drain and fill can't hurt anything if done correctly.

View attachment 570981

The instructions say level to the floor does that mean just get it level? I have a driveway that’s on a little bit of an incline so usually I have to jack the rear end up to do my oil changes.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

The instructions say level to the floor does that mean just get it level? I have a driveway that’s on a little bit of an incline so usually I have to jack the rear end up to do my oil changes.

The rear end usually needs to go up about 9" or so, so the transmission itself is level to the floor.

Do use jack-stands and chalks as you need to put the transmission into gear and spin the rear tires.

As long as you follow the green sheet fill instructions to a "T" you'll be good.

 

[jws123]

Hello I have 120,000 miles on my 2017 ram never did transmission fluid change on it but now getting a shudder only on the first reverse to forward in the morning. Backing out of my driveway in reverse then putting it in forward it’s almost like the gears have a hard time catching and it shudders. Anyone have an issue like this? Could it simply be just old fluid?

mine will do the same thing if you throw it into reverse to fast like when your late for work lmfaoo let it run a min then try.

 

[QwikKota]

The instructions say level to the floor does that mean just get it level? I have a driveway that’s on a little bit of an incline so usually I have to jack the rear end up to do my oil changes.

I put a small level on the pan flange and kept checking it while jacking it up to make sure the transmission was as close to level as possible on a certain jack stand position. Pretty high up on a level driveway. I would park your truck with the nose facing downhill on your driveway. Use very solid wheel chocks on the front tires. Rubber ones if you can find them.

 

[KansasArt]

Cheap enuf at horrible freight

 

[Rt71668]

Hello I have 120,000 miles on my 2017 ram never did transmission fluid change on it but now getting a shudder only on the first reverse to forward in the morning. Backing out of my driveway in reverse then putting it in forward it’s almost like the gears have a hard time catching and it shudders. Anyone have an issue like this? Could it simply be just old fluid?

This has been happening to my 17’ as well, will be very curious to see if fluid change helps.

 

[moulin6801]

I never changed the transmission oil on my 2015 Laramie 4x4 till 200,000 when I noticed that it was skipping 1st gear engagement sometimes, so I suck the trans oil through the refill plug, put fresh oil, crazy the difference in color!!
And really improved the shifting…. Now 215,000 and going strong!
PS: word of wisdom :
I only use 91 Octane fuel and the engine is strong as new….
When the truck was new, I could not stand the ping sound of engine and I learned that higher Octane quite it down, so, truck have been happy ever since!

 

[TOM153]

Update: changed fluid and hesitation/shudder I was experiencing is gone. I’m honestly shocked the entire transmission feels way better after the filter and fluid change and I didn’t even think it was bad before. Truck feels brand new. The fluid and pan change wasn’t that bad of a job either just one bolt was a pain to get to. A better hand pump would’ve have made it easier. I got a little over 5 quarts in it and used the tightening sequence on the pan no leaks.

 

[EdGs]

Update: changed fluid and hesitation/shudder I was experiencing is gone. I’m honestly shocked the entire transmission feels way better after the filter and fluid change and I didn’t even think it was bad before. Truck feels brand new. The fluid and pan change wasn’t that bad of a job either just one bolt was a pain to get to. A better hand pump would’ve have made it easier. I got a little over 5 quarts in it and used the tightening sequence on the pan no leaks.

That is excellent news!

Did you recheck the fluid level after a complete warmup and cooldown? I would recommend this as sometimes our trucks come new a little short on fluid.

You might find you still need a little fluid to top yours off.

Let us know if you recheck it.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

That is excellent news!

Did you recheck the fluid level after a complete warmup and cooldown? I would recommend this as sometimes our trucks come new a little short on fluid.

You might find you still need a little fluid to top yours off.

Let us know if you recheck it.

^^^^ THIS!!!!!

Very important to recheck after the initial job

 

[EdGs]

^^^^ THIS!!!!!

Very important to recheck after the initial job

IIRC, when I rechecked mine, it took another 1/2 quart or so. About 5-1/2 qts. to fill it (with an OE pan/filter).

When I initially drained it I only got about 4-1/2 qts. out.


Old vs. new fluid

 

[TOM153]

Update: transmission shifts fine and no more shudder when going reverse to forward vice versa but now I am getting a shudder when taking off from a stop in 1st gear. More noticeable if you really punch it. Doesn’t shudder every at any other point only when you’re in first gear from a stop. I have core 4x4 arms in the back with Johnny joints and thought it was those because all 4 of my Johnny joints were bad. Changed them out and no difference. I even thought it was my LSD in the rear. Changed out fluid and nothing. Dropping it off at a place soon to have them give me an opinion. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

[Wild one]

Update: transmission shifts fine and no more shudder when going reverse to forward vice versa but now I am getting a shudder when taking off from a stop in 1st gear. More noticeable if you really punch it. Doesn’t shudder every at any other point only when you’re in first gear from a stop. I have core 4x4 arms in the back with Johnny joints and thought it was those because all 4 of my Johnny joints were bad. Changed them out and no difference. I even thought it was my LSD in the rear. Changed out fluid and nothing. Dropping it off at a place soon to have them give me an opinion. Any ideas on what it could be?

Maybe jack it up and do the green sheet instructions all over again,and check the fluid level with the transmission on the colder side of things.

 

[TOM153]

did the green sheet again and could get no more fluid in before it started coming out

 

[TOM153]

Well I brought my truck to a 4x4 shop and check over rear end said it all checks out said possibly the transmission. I have maxcare warranty so I brought it to the dealer and they found nothing wrong with the transmission because it has no codes basically blamed my lift kit and said it was axle wrap which is hard to believe because I just had the entire rear end checked out by a shop. I drained and refilled with more new fluid again. Did the drain/refill and green sheet 3 times I even added 2 oz of lube guard shudder fix in there. Hard to say if it made a difference I want to say it’s not as extreme but not sure will have to drive around a few more days with it. Really at a loss at what it could be if it’s even the transmission or something else. I crawled under my truck and starting prying on all the joints with a pry bar and found nothing out of the ordinary with the rear that could cause this axle wrap they're talking about.