Transmision Fluid Change ?

[Rado]

2015 RAM 1500 V6 with 845 RE Transmission
Are there any issue with the aftermarket pan/filter vs OEM ?
I have a good local shop and a good dealer , Will get a price from dealer as well. Or does anyone have a estimate on average cost !
Thanks

 

[Burla]

I'm not sure about the 8 speed as far as aftermarket, but some of the pans for the rfe are plain dangerous. Paint that can come off, warped and too thin, etc.

As far as cost, the 8 speed is an expensive flush. The fluid itself is expensive as it is pao based, and the procedure is hard and complicated. The worst part if you can't even check the fluid on a dip stick to verify you have new fluid and it is the right level. If it were me, I'd watch the youtubes and do it myself. Unless maybe you can watch the do it. The price has been between $400+ - $1200 for a simple flush, prices are all over the board.

 

[Rado]

I'm not sure about the 8 speed as far as aftermarket, but some of the pans for the rfe are plain dangerous. Paint that can come off, warped and too thin, etc.

As far as cost, the 8 speed is an expensive flush. The fluid itself is expensive as it is pao based, and the procedure is hard and complicated. The worst part if you can't even check the fluid on a dip stick to verify you have new fluid and it is the right level. If it were me, I'd watch the youtubes and do it myself. Unless maybe you can watch the do it. The price has been between $400+ - $1200 for a simple flush, prices are all over the board.

Great info thanks ! I though I heard after market pans were junk ! I'll stay OEM. I will get a price on getting it done!I have plenty of time to save up lol

 

[Scuba2000]

I asked a similar question as I am doing all the preventative maintenance I can to my (new to me) truck. Granted mine was imported from the US to Europe so I have some suspicions about what has and has not been done. I ended up ordering this from PPE (company not equipment): https://www.ppediesel.com/shop/heavy-duty-aluminum-transmission-pan-ram-1500-brushed-228053010.html. They even game me a 10% veteran discount when i called in. I have the 8 speed tranny though.
Just waiting on my goodies to arrive and the Wuhan Lockdown in Italy to end so I can get into the Auto Hobby shop on base and get this done.

 

[Burla]

I asked a similar question as I am doing all the preventative maintenance I can to my (new to me) truck. Granted mine was imported from the US to Europe so I have some suspicions about what has and has not been done. I ended up ordering this from PPE (company not equipment): https://www.ppediesel.com/shop/heavy-duty-aluminum-transmission-pan-ram-1500-brushed-228053010.html. They even game me a 10% veteran discount when i called in. I have the 8 speed tranny though.
Just waiting on my goodies to arrive and the Wuhan Lockdown in Italy to end so I can get into the Auto Hobby shop on base and get this done.

that's a nice pan, no paint - nice drain plug. In the future when you set level, just put back what you take out, you can flush often without replacing the filter. Can you cut old filter open? If it is like rfe, those sump filters can last a lifetime, especially if you change it once after break in of transmision. They aren't meant for small particulate, just keep metal out, if like rfe. Which is good news, because no reason to change that often imo.

 

[Scuba2000]

that's a nice pan, no paint - nice drain plug. In the future when you set level, just put back what you take out, you can flush often without replacing the filter. Can you cut old filter open? If it is like rfe, those sump filters can last a lifetime, especially if you change it once after break in of transmision. They aren't meant for small particulate, just keep metal out, if like rfe. Which is good news, because no reason to change that often imo.

The pan from PPE has a replaceable filter so no need to cut. Everything I have read about the 8HP70 says that you should change the fluid every 70-100k miles which is where my truck is at now. So the good news for me is that with this pan is that it holds 2 quarts more, has better cooling, is metal, and has the changeable filter. I know already that when I install it I will have to most likely drop the cross pipe a little due to the difference in size. I just need to the damn shop to open up so I can better crawl around under my truck.....right now I have to dodge dog bombs and push away inquisitive noses.

 

[Wild one]

The pan from PPE has a replaceable filter so no need to cut. Everything I have read about the 8HP70 says that you should change the fluid every 70-100k miles which is where my truck is at now. So the good news for me is that with this pan is that it holds 2 quarts more, has better cooling, is metal, and has the changeable filter. I know already that when I install it I will have to most likely drop the cross pipe a little due to the difference in size. I just need to the damn shop to open up so I can better crawl around under my truck.....right now I have to dodge dog bombs and push away inquisitive noses.

ZF recommends 80,000 to 130,000 Kilometers or roughly 50,000 to 80,000 miles for a service on the 8 speed.Most guys miss the fact they are in Germany and use the metric system,lol. You need to jack the rear of the truck up till the tranny pan rail is level front to rear and side to side to get the proper fluid level reading at the fill plug,even if you do the drain and measure technic,as you'll never get the same amount of fluid back into it unless the pan rail is leveled

 

[Tim Garceau]

Make sure the pan you purchase is not from Taiwan. I'm doing a drain, new pan, and replace fluid lost in a couple weeks. ~92K right now

The zf8's are the same for the most part in terms of maintenance.

 

[Wild one]

 

[PoMansRam]

I've seen replacement filter/pan kits on eBay for as low as $59 shipped and they come with the bolts and a replacement fill plug.

Then an appropriate ZF 8spd ATF and a fluid pump or garden sprayer for refilling.

Theoretically, you could do the job yourself for around ~$120 if you bought the $59 pan kit, ~$40 for 2 gallons of Maxlife ATF and a $10 garden sprayer to use for the refill. You could probably get away with a single 4qt jug of Maxlife, but I'd want another on hand just in case. This is my plan in a few months once I get beyond 60K miles.

The problem with getting this done elsewhere, I've seen some insane price quotes. Like $700-1000. No way in hell I'd pay that for a simple pan drop and refill.

IMO, folks make the refill and level check on these more complicated than they need to be. Drain it cold. Measure the amount you took out and that's the amount you've got to get back in there. If you're concerned the factory level was not correct, go by the book. I've done many dipstick-less transmissions this way.

 

[Burla]

Since it is very hard to do full flushes, many of us decide to drain and fill every year or so. What is the best way? I don't think there will ever be a consensus because of the quirks in transmissions. Full flushes have proven to be dangerous, but the only way to get all the fluid out. But then you do that but leave the filter on?

Manu's continue to build transmissions that are near impossible to flush, it would be so freaking easy to simply put an inline filter that doesn't require a pan drop, and a pan with a drain plug, maybe a TC with a drain plug and an independent fill line. They could easy make these things flushable and serviceable without dropping pan, and yet all they do it continue to make it harder to service this item, why? Clearly, they do not want your equipment to last as long as you do. Sad as hell that not one manu addresses these concerns. So figure out a strategy and follow it, for me it is partial flushes more often.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Also the 68233701AA pan is cheaper and exactly the same. Seriously crooks on fluid and pans

 

[PoMansRam]

Also the 68233701AA pan is cheaper and exactly the same. Seriously crooks on fluid and pans

Wow! I'll say. They've got it marked down to ~$42.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Blackstone actually recommends a purge due to excessive wear-in particulate. I'll probably do a gallon dump and fill 3 consecutive days since Maxlife is only $18/gallon. The total sump is 8 liters from my research so that should be a solid clear of the Mopar/ZF "potion".

 

[71Peters]

I would like to hear your opinions/experiences.
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 4x4 Laramie. I keep this truck up to date on maintenance...and now I am at a point where I want the transmission fluid/filter replaced. I have read a lot about it on the internet and this forum. I know its pricey and that Ram calls it a" lifetime fluid" and doesn't include a changer interval in the owners manual. So I inquired with my local Dodge dealer (been using them for 5-6 years now) in Raleigh NC, and to my surprise they quote me at $375 US. I questioned it a few times and my advisor was positive this amount was correct. I know the filter and the fluid is pricey...so I wasn't buying $375 at all. So I asked the advisor to look into it and please let me know what he finds out.

Got a call about 2 hours later. Turns out this is not a filter change...only fluid (Flush). I asked why wouldn't you drop the pan and replace it (since the filter is integrated in it). I was informed that its not really a filter but more of a screen, so replacement is not required. They won't drop/touch the pan at all except to drain the fluid. I have mixed feeling about this. I would like to hear what every one thinks about this...

 

[Wild one]

I would like to hear your opinions/experiences.
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 4x4 Laramie. I keep this truck up to date on maintenance...and now I am at a point where I want the transmission fluid/filter replaced. I have read a lot about it on the internet and this forum. I know its pricey and that Ram calls it a" lifetime fluid" and doesn't include a changer interval in the owners manual. So I inquired with my local Dodge dealer (been using them for 5-6 years now) in Raleigh NC, and to my surprise they quote me at $375 US. I questioned it a few times and my advisor was positive this amount was correct. I know the filter and the fluid is pricey...so I wasn't buying $375 at all. So I asked the advisor to look into it and please let me know what he finds out.

Got a call about 2 hours later. Turns out this is not a filter change...only fluid (Flush). I asked why wouldn't you drop the pan and replace it (since the filter is integrated in it). I was informed that its not really a filter but more of a screen, so replacement is not required. They won't drop/touch the pan at all except to drain the fluid. I have mixed feeling about this. I would like to hear what every one thinks about this...

It's not a screen,lol.Tells me your dealer has never did a fluid/filter swap on an 8 speed.