8 speed fluid change

[DURASPANK]

My sons 13 big horn 2wd just went past 100k. Dealer told me fluid is lifetime. Plus told me it would be over 800.00 to do it. I've always been a 50000 mile type. What's yall's opinions?
Getting ready to do the the major service

 

[kurek]

Doesn't need to be an opinion the company who makes the transmission for Ram says it's 80k intervals. Only question is whether you think lifetime means the same thing FCA thinks it means

 

[VB712]

I have 74k on mine and trans has never been serviced. After reading up on changing the fluid in these 8 speeds, it seems like a real nightmare to do.

 

[DURASPANK]

I have 74k on mine and trans has never been serviced. After reading up on changing the fluid in these 8 speeds, it seems like a real nightmare to do.

Yea I was shocked when it didn't have a dipstick so I could look at/check fluid.
The temp check threw me for a loop. (Old school) Guess I just measure what drains out and replace that much.

 

[Burla]

How would you even know if they changed the fluid? 800 is pretty cheap for this service, the cost of the pan/filter and the cost of the fluid leaves very little for profit, believe it or not. I'm not saying they won't do it, I'm saying if you pay 800 watch them do it. Then, learn about how to check the fluid, there is a two part video on motor city mechanic that shows you how to check the fluid, yeah it's a thing. If I was gonna change the fluid, I would do it myself, plenty of dyi online, see sean's ecodiesel channel. If you aren't going to dyi, just roll the dice. Unless you are towing or heavy loads on engine, like racing or wheeling, chances are it is possible you can get several 100k miles from this transmission w/o servicing it.

 

[QwikKota]

I am going to try to pump the fluid out of mine with an electric transfer pump around 75k miles. At 150k or so I may do the pan replacement method. Does anyone know if it has an actual filter or if it is just a metal screen type strainer?

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[Hemi395]

In theory, you could pull the drain plug and capture all the fluid. Measure the drained fluid and put that much back in. Again, in theory, you wouldn't have to do the ridiculous proceedure to check the fluid level.

This is the proceedure to check the fluid.....

 

[Burla]

I guess you have to do all that real fast since they mechanically heat trans fluid and it has to be 86f do get an accurate reading, *****.

 

[Hemi395]

Yup. My wife's Jeep GC with the 8hp45 will go from 86 to 120 in a matter of minutes. You either need a lift or a second person to be in the truck while you're under it filling it up...

 

[Dinky]

I changed mine at 95k did it myself saved a lot of coin. Dealers around here want $1300 and trans shops wanted $800. So $800 from the dealer is pretty good just the filter from the dealer is $250. The whole pan has to be replaced since it is built in filter. There is a few aftermarket pans you can buy with replaceable filters but you still have to drop the pan.

 

[Dinky]

Here is a bunch if info and opinions

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8hp70-trans-fluid-change.118005/page-2

 

[chrisbh17]

I think they meant to make sure its under 86 when you start....they reference 86-120 later on, so Im guessing anywhere in that range is where the fluid level will be "accurate".

 

[Triumphx]

In theory, you could pull the drain plug and capture all the fluid. Measure the drained fluid and put that much back in. Again, in theory, you wouldn't have to do the ridiculous proceedure to check the fluid level.

This is the proceedure to check the fluid.....

Holy ****, this is absolutely ridiculous. Another FCA fail.

 

[chrisbh17]

Holy ****, this is absolutely ridiculous. Another FCA fail.

ZF makes the trans, so technically its on them (I guess blame FCA for choosing this trans, but Im pretty sure its been a long time since FCA actually made their own trans, so....)

***** as much as we would like, but the unit just seems to hold up in every application, not just the trucks. The maintenance is a PITA and expensive, but at least you shouldnt need to worry about it not making it to its first maintenance interval. Our last Honda transmission I was doing a drain and refill at every oil change just to make sure it held up.

 

[RVGuy]

ZF makes the trans, so technically its on them (I guess blame FCA for choosing this trans, but Im pretty sure its been a long time since FCA actually made their own trans, so....)

***** as much as we would like, but the unit just seems to hold up in every application, not just the trucks. The maintenance is a PITA and expensive, but at least you shouldnt need to worry about it not making it to its first maintenance interval. Our last Honda transmission I was doing a drain and refill at every oil change just to make sure it held up.

It's not just FCA either. It's been that way in the Tundra for awhile, the new Ford 10 speed is the same, as well as the GM version of that trans. All of these trans with more than 6 speeds seem to have a similar drain/fill procedure and it's really turning me off of a lot of new vehicles for when my truck is done with life. As soon as dipsticks went away and transmissions were "filled for life" it's a turn off for me. I like being able to keep on top of my fluids and not being able to conveniently check it from the topside would probably drive me crazy.

I was thinking of going 2500 gasser next truck to be able to stick with a 6 speed but even that's gone to an 8 speed now.

 

[ajs3]

I guess you have to do all that real fast since they mechanically heat trans fluid and it has to be 86f do get an accurate reading, *****.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. A pickup truck with service costs bordering on Ferrari territory. Jeez....when... excuse me ,IF, mine makes it to 100K miles I'm parking it on front lawn filling it with dirt and planting a tree in it....LOL!!!

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[dpinvidic]

ZF makes the trans, so technically its on them (I guess blame FCA for choosing this trans, but I'm pretty sure its been a long time since FCA actually made their own trans, so....).

ZF also made the 9-speed trans in the Cherokee, and it is a POS. There is even a class action suit against FCA on this transmission. We sold our 2014 Cherokee for this reason.
I am guessing they are trying to save a few bucks by removing the dipstick.
The only other possible reason to remove it is they think the check procedure it too difficult for the typical owner, or that it is too easy to add a non-compatible fluid.
And for heavens sake, why can't the filter be separate from the pan?
Either way, this sucks....

 

[chrisbh17]

ZF also made the 9-speed trans in the Cherokee, and it is a POS. There is even a class action suit against FCA on this transmission. We sold our 2014 Cherokee for this reason.
I am guessing they are trying to save a few bucks by removing the dipstick.
The only other possible reason to remove it is they think the check procedure it too difficult for the typical owner, or that it is too easy to add a non-compatible fluid.
And for heavens sake, why can't the filter be separate from the pan?
Either way, this sucks....

IIRC Chrysler *licensed* the 9 speed from ZF but assembled it themselves here in the US. They may have designed the software as well. Oddly enough, Honda/Acura did the same thing and their first couple years of "ZF" 9 speeds were horrendous.

The 8HP series in the trucks is basically shipped from ZF to the RAM factory and attached to the engine. It sounds like they dont even check the fluid level at the factory, just slap it onto an engine and go. I trust ZF building it a lot more than I trust FCA licensing it and building it themselves.

One aftermarket company does make a pan with replaceable filter, I dont think its much more expensive than the OEM setup but once you have it on there the filter alone is much cheaper.

 

[QwikKota]

IIRC Chrysler *licensed* the 9 speed from ZF but assembled it themselves here in the US. They may have designed the software as well. Oddly enough, Honda/Acura did the same thing and their first couple years of "ZF" 9 speeds were horrendous.

The 8HP series in the trucks is basically shipped from ZF to the RAM factory and attached to the engine. It sounds like they dont even check the fluid level at the factory, just slap it onto an engine and go. I trust ZF building it a lot more than I trust FCA licensing it and building it themselves.

One aftermarket company does make a pan with replaceable filter, I dont think its much more expensive than the OEM setup but once you have it on there the filter alone is much cheaper.

There are now FCA transmission plants in Indiana making the ZF 8 speed.

As far as the drain plug goes, to my knowledge it is not reusable. It's also right above the damn exhaust crossover pipe. I am going to try to suck out and fill through the fill port. I have services the sealed tranny on our 4Runner a few times and it's a pain with the temp procedure but at least it has a reusable steel pan and fill/drain plugs.

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[Limeybastard]

Holy ****, this is absolutely ridiculous. Another FCA fail.

I'd also bet my bottom dollar that there is no way the dealer will follow each one of those steps . They always tend to skip steps to make the process less time consuming and more profitable for them.

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