8 Speed Service

[gears49]

Has anyone done a fluid service on the 8 speed transmission?

 

[Brandon-w]

Has anyone done a fluid service on the 8 speed transmission?

Gonna follow this one. Watched YouTube videos on it and well it just makes me mad. I want a damn dipstick!!!!

 

[tidefan1967]

This is from one of our members. Hats off to Boosted Motorsports for this video!

 

[Dave2018]

boosted +1

 

[Pull Ya]

I think that Wildone has done an 8 speed service.
Jay

 

[BarbersBlue]

I have. It seems very intimidating at first, but it is not much more difficult than changing the fluid on a manual transmission. I would recommend waiting for cold weather so that you have more time in the correct temperature window for the final fluid level check. Although I should add that I have a pentastar and so my exhaust pipes are not in the way.

 

[Wild one]

Has anyone done a fluid service on the 8 speed transmission?

Here's the proper instructions .These are the factories instructions that came with my new transmission,pay attention to the very first part of them that is highlighted,as most video's do not level the tranny pan rail.The advice about doing it on a cooler day is good,lol.They aren't bad to do a service on,the steps involved make it seem like it's difficult,but they aren't really all that hard or complicated to follow

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/2017-8-speed-transmission.143008/page-3#post-2029422

 

[Dinky]

Getting ready to do mine. Waiting on filter/pan to arrive. Read the proper instructions and watch a few videos. At the end of the day it's still just a transmission.

 

[wa6jwi]

If you are running the tranny behind a hemi there is no service requirement for the transmission to be found in the owners manual. I inquired at the dealership at about 60,000 miles and they told me the tranny filter is the ENTIRE bottom cover ($450) and the oil is a very expensive special blend. The total cost for the dealer to change the fluid would be about $900. The dealer told me the transmission is a sealed unit and there is no service required. Chrysler does not authorize the dealer to perform repairs to the transmission.

 

[22hemi13]

If you are running the tranny behind a hemi there is no service requirement for the transmission to be found in the owners manual. I inquired at the dealership at about 60,000 miles and they told me the tranny filter is the ENTIRE bottom cover ($450) and the oil is a very expensive special blend. The total cost for the dealer to change the fluid would be about $900. The dealer told me the transmission is a sealed unit and there is no service required. Chrysler does not authorize the dealer to perform repairs to the transmission.

A dealer trying to not screw ya. That’s new. Go to some dealers and they’ll sell you the service. Even though the manual states not needed. We have an 8spd with about 36k on it. Not sure what I’ll do yet. My 2500 has been serviced.

 

[16RamHemi]

dealer says lifetime...no service. but they didnt manufacturer the trans. zf....company who manufactured trans says to service it around 60 to 70k miles depending on how it was used. believe who YOU want.

 

[PoMansRam]

Lots of ZF 8spd fluid service videos online for various make/model vehicles. It's all the same basic procedure. Aftermarket replacement pan/filter assemblies can be had mail-order for ~$100. ZF fluid for ~$10/qt if that's the route you want to go.

I've seen it mentioned to level the pan rail in the past, but I've never seen anyone do that. I really doubt a dealer or transmission shop would go that far.

Filling is the PITA. You can only get two quarts or so in before it starts to dribble out. Then you have to idle the engine to get the rest in, then you have to run though the gears and get to the specified ATF temp to verify level. (dunno off hand what that temp is!)

I've serviced quite a few "sealed" transmissions myself, but not a ZF8 yet.

 

[RLJ10X]

They didn't put a dipstick in/on the 8 speed because it is another way to get oxygen and moisture in it. Part of the reason it is supposedly a lifetime no service, is because it is sealed.

I don't have an 8 speed. But if I did, I wouldn't touch it. Sugarpuss has a 2003 Toyota Cellica with 280,000 miles on it. The dealership says leave the transmission alone.

 

[Coramie]

For those of us with the lifetime warranty, servicing the transmission could, and probably would, void the warranty. Manual says don’t service it, so if it craps out, it’ll be Chrysler’s problem as long as I follow their direction!

 

[PoMansRam]

They didn't put a dipstick in/on the 8 speed because it is another way to get oxygen and moisture in it. Part of the reason it is supposedly a lifetime no service, is because it is sealed.

Dipstick tube or not, ALL transmissions and gear boxes still breathe to the atmosphere though a top mounted vent. They have to or you'd be constantly chasing seal leaks from thermal expansion.