Change the Transmission Filter?

[dks5276]

Ive searched forums, reddit, ect. sorry if this is a redundant question, I have a 2018 Ram 1500 Express 97k miles with 5.7 and TorqueFlite 8HP70 which im told is the ZF 8 speed, Im going to have someone change the trans fluid but Ive been told by Dobbs, Local Trans Shop, Valvoline Instant Oil, and Rams Dealership that no dont change the filter just do the fluid flush BUT manufacturer says YES change the filter. I have taken very good care of this truck and plan on driving it til I die or it dies lol, so how many of you just flush the fluid and how many do the new pan and filter? Heard horror stories about things going bad after dropping pan and changing filter

 

[MarshRam]

As far as I know, everyone recommends changing the filter, essentially a new pan.

 

[EdGs]

Filter is part of the OE pan.

ZF recommends fluid/filter at 60-80k miles. Chrysler says "sealed for life".

PPE makes a top-notch aluminum pan with replaceable filter, for about the same price as the dealer OE pan.

The rear end of the truck has to be lifted 8-9 inches to properly fill the transmission as it has to be level to do the procedure properly, and also be completed BEFORE the trans temp reaches 122°

 

[06 Dodge]

Ive searched forums, reddit, ect. sorry if this is a redundant question, I have a 2018 Ram 1500 Express 97k miles with 5.7 and TorqueFlite 8HP70 which im told is the ZF 8 speed, Im going to have someone change the trans fluid but Ive been told by Dobbs, Local Trans Shop, Valvoline Instant Oil, and Rams Dealership that no dont change the filter just do the fluid flush BUT manufacturer says YES change the filter. I have taken very good care of this truck and plan on driving it til I die or it dies lol, so how many of you just flush the fluid and how many do the new pan and filter? Heard horror stories about things going bad after dropping pan and changing filter

Just drop the trans pan, replace the filter and refill with ATF, Do No FLUSH your transmission, a flush can cause problems in as little as few hundred miles, you can get problems that you never had before from the flush so do not flush unless you have $$$ for a new/rebuilt transmission... IMHO any shop that tell you to do a flush and not change the filters is not looking out for you just them selves in hope when it fails you come back to them for the trans replacement and or rebuild...

 

[EdGs]

Use proper fluid for the 8HP70 as well.

Mopar 8+9 speed
ZF Lifeguard 8
Valvoline MaxLife (make sure it says on back label compatible with ZF 8 speed)

 

[MarshRam]

Filter is part of the OE pan.

ZF recommends fluid/filter at 60-80k miles. Chrysler says "sealed for life".

PPE makes a top-notch aluminum pan with replaceable filter, for about the same price as the dealer OE pan.

The rear end of the truck has to be lifted 8-9 inches to properly fill the transmission as it has to be level to do the procedure properly, and also be completed BEFORE the trans temp reaches 122°

View attachment 586348

OP, I got my pan from Mopar Parts, invoice below. It's on sale at the time of this post for $227.70. I'd jump on it for that price.

Part Number​	Part Name​	Price​	Quantity​	Total​
68225344AA​	Transmission Oil Pan And Filter​	$313.01​	1​	$313.01​

Subtotal: $313.01​

Estimated Shipping via Standard Shipping: $29.62​

Total: $342.63​

 

[EdGs]

$227 is a decent price for the oe pan.

When I did mine at ~100k miles, a few years ago, the oe pan was $170 @ RockAuto. Now, prices have gone stupid since COVID.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Of course change the filter...... Pay the price for a 'good' one. You'll probably only need to do it once. Or possibly another time if you keep the truck long enough.

The key thing is to STAND THERE while they are putting fluid in and make sure 100% they jack the back of the truck up to get the fluid level right according to the proper fill procedure (print out and hand to the tech). Esp if it's a quickie oil change place.

That last part is where a lot of owners get tripped-up. Shops and techs don't like to crawl on the ground and monkey around hot exhaust pipes like you have to do on the Ram. They might argue they know better...it's not that important. Don't fall for that. Have the conversation up front before you submit your vehicle. Proper fill procedure is what is required to get the fluid level right. It's critical to be right. Fluid expands when warm/hot.

Imagine you had water in a clear glass. Then you took another glass that fit inside...and pushed down on the water. As you can see if you move the inner glass a small amount it makes a BIG difference how much the water rises or fall. Sort of the same thing in your tranny. A bunch of tranny parts fit down into the pan. And as the fluid expands the height level is more than most owners appreciate. That's why trans fluid height is critical. So ...DO make sure they follow the proper procedure so your tranny is happy. Here's to many more yrs of happy trucking!!