Here’s what I don’t understand

[ToddS1971]

Why is it necessary to level the transmission pan rail when changing out the fluid and refilling? I understand the transmission angles down slightly, so yeah, you’d have to raise the back end (most people say about 9 inches) to level it out, but why is that so critical? It’s not level as the truck goes down the road, so if you fill it full with all 4 wheels on the ground, full before 122 degrees that is, would that not be considered full? What am I missing?

 

[Shawn Burns]

I have no idea, either. I am looking forward to the responses from smarter people.

 

[RamDiver]

Let me try to answer that.

Think of the transmission case as a bucket with gears in it and the bucket has a specific volume.

For this device to operate correctly and maintain a predetermined operating temperature and pressure, a specific volume of lubricant must be added and maintained.

This volume is related to capacity and operating characteristics rather than the pitch of the transmission.

The devised measurement technique is to level the angle of the pan and then fill until it just starts to overflow.

If you didn't first set the angle correctly, your net volume of lubricant would be insufficient to meet with the design characteristics and likely change operating temperature, pressure, and functionality.

Does that make sense?

Another consideration for using the level reference rather than the standard OEM pitch of the transmission is that anyone that has adjusted a truck with a lift or leveling kit would be forced to use some unusual angle to get the correct volume of lubricant.

Choosing a level pitch is just so much easier for everyone than having to remember this Ram truck uses how many degrees pitch???

And almost everyone owns a level versus a digital magnetic declinometer.
.

 

[REDinAZ]

all I know is fresh ATF is the best/most unique smelling of all the auto fluids... and the absolute worst smelling used auto fluid when it comes back out of a power steering system.

 

[Burla]

That's the real question you want to ask? How about why these twits designed or were even allowed to design a transmission that you need a two video process to check the fluid as opposed to us spoiled guys that get a dip stick. The 8 speed transmission is a perfect example of why everything is broken these days. Create a transmission that operates HOTTER, like wdf, say you need a special pao fluid that costs an arm and a leg but when you peel apart that onion the zf fluid is no better then generic tranny fluid on the stat sheet, have the filter and the pan be one so everytime you want to change the filter you need to change the pan as well, have a process that I would wager most people can't/wont do just to check the fluid level, call it lifetime fluid yeah give me a break if it runs hotter how can you dare call it a lifetime fill? When you buy a Mercedes you expect this kind of bs, but when you buy a pick-up guys are supposed to be able to work on it without being a technician. I am embarrassed for the people who design these things. Like everything else going on, every single thing is a self inflicted wound. You are supposed to build long lasting trust with your customer base not lose it with every stupid decision. end rant, I am in a mood today

 

[Wild one]

That's the real question you want to ask? How about why these twits designed or were even allowed to design a transmission that you need a two video process to check the fluid as opposed to us spoiled guys that get a dip stick. The 8 speed transmission is a perfect example of why everything is broken these days. Create a transmission that operates HOTTER, like wdf, say you need a special pao fluid that costs an arm and a leg but when you peel apart that onion the zf fluid is no better then generic tranny fluid on the stat sheet, have the filter and the pan be one so everytime you want to change the filter you need to change the pan as well, have a process that I would wager most people can't/wont do just to check the fluid level, call it lifetime fluid yeah give me a break if it runs hotter how can you dare call it a lifetime fill? When you buy a Mercedes you expect this kind of bs, but when you buy a pick-up guys are supposed to be able to work on it without being a technician. I am embarrassed for the people who design these things. Like everything else going on, every single thing is a self inflicted wound. You are supposed to build long lasting trust with your customer base not lose it with every stupid decision. end rant, I am in a mood today

Tell us how you really feel Mike,lol

 

[Wild one]

Why is it necessary to level the transmission pan rail when changing out the fluid and refilling? I understand the transmission angles down slightly, so yeah, you’d have to raise the back end (most people say about 9 inches) to level it out, but why is that so critical? It’s not level as the truck goes down the road, so if you fill it full with all 4 wheels on the ground, full before 122 degrees that is, would that not be considered full? What am I missing?

You have calculate the pump is always spinning sucking fluid out of the pan when the trucks running,so as RamDiver stated you need the proper amount of fluid in a leveled pan,so the pump basically doesn't suck the pan dry once the transmission is angled down and the truck is going down the road.The 8 speeds seem to very picky about fluid level,and even being just a 1/2 quart down on fluid has been known to cause drivability issues.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Burla, You forgot to mention ...the pan & filter made of plastic, great for the envronment. And not deep enough to make grandma's apple-crisp!? LOL. They could used a 2" deep, steel panlike all pickup truck transmissions before it, and draw off the bottom which would resolve the finicky fluid level issues. And like you say, a dipstick. I'm surprised nobody has come out with a dipstick conversion or B/T level device to put on Ram trucks. Or have they?

The devised measurement technique is to level the [the pan] and then fill until it just starts to overflow.

Great way to word it! These are probably designed/built/tested, level. There are probably other equipment/vehicles (like heavy trucks or construction equipment), as well as sedans and maybe even FWD cars, which use the ZF transmission which may well sit level. Each mfgr has to set a 'standard' and I would assume they chose 'level' as it's the easiest for most service places/techs (across the globe) to understand ...for anyone who has a $3 torpedo level. But one more step for maintenance. It would be terrible if a guy had a transmission with a slow leak that needed regular testing.

 

[Jeepwalker]

I've seen a few aftermarket metal/cast pans (deeper too), but haven't tried them. They look good ....not cheap though.

2014-2022 w/ZF-8 Speed Transmission Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum Deep Transmission Pan

Transmission Pan - Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum - 8HP70/8HP75 Features:Cast-aluminum construction Increased heat dissipation Reduced oil temperatures Increased fluid capacity Stainless steel drain plug Includes replaceable filter 1/8 NPT tempe

ppepower.com

 

[RamDiver]

I've seen a few aftermarket metal/cast pans (deeper too), but haven't tried them. They look good ....not cheap though.

2014-2022 w/ZF-8 Speed Transmission Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum Deep Transmission Pan

Transmission Pan - Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum - 8HP70/8HP75 Features:Cast-aluminum construction Increased heat dissipation Reduced oil temperatures Increased fluid capacity Stainless steel drain plug Includes replaceable filter 1/8 NPT tempe

ppepower.com

Wow, that pan looks pretty sweet. And $320 isn't too bad for what is and only $20 extra for a brushed or black finish. I'd gladly get one if you were paying.





.