Transmission service question

[Bacon6]

I have a 2015 ram 1500 bighorn w/5.7 hemi 4x4 with aprox 170,000 mi and 8 speed trans, back around 90,000 i had the transmission serviced so today i started looking into having it done again. I called a Ram dealer and the service department told me that being a sealed transmission they didn’t recommend having it done, puzzling to me, so I called another dealership Same answer, with that i called at least 5 different transmission shops, most would do it but several again said they didn’t recommend it, what gives here I thought this was something that should be done every 100k give or so. Should I have it done or not and also should i have the Pan/Filter replaced also ? They are asking anywhere from $850. To 1200. Thanks

 

[Grams]

The shop that performed the service at 90K won’t do it again..?

 

[Burla]

I'd dyi as you cant even check the fluid level after some shop does it. A while back the Japanese made shaken law, it was a scam to make everyone buy a new car every 5 years. As it turns out it was a huge success for their gov't, the envy of the world, Japan is the only developed nation where auto manu is the number one industry. Ever since their success USA and euro have tried to make cars disposable. Nothing gives govt loads of freaking sweaty cash like auto sales, like 10 grand per vehicle. So they build stuff so you don't service it and it breaks sooner then older stuff. For now their is a work around = dyi. So either dyi or let it break and program in so the govt can take loads more of your money. 170k miles, Japan would have an arrest warrant on you for being a bad citizen, lol.

 

[Bacon6]

transmission was serviced in another state unfortunatel

 

[Grams]

I'd dyi as you cant even check the fluid level after some shop does it. A while back the Japanese made shaken law, it was a scam to make everyone buy a new car every 5 years. As it turns out it was a huge success for their gov't, the envy of the world, Japan is the only developed nation where auto manu is the number one industry. Ever since their success USA and euro have tried to make cars disposable. Nothing gives govt loads of freaking sweaty cash like auto sales, like 10 grand per vehicle. So they build stuff so you don't service it and it breaks sooner then older stuff. For now their is a work around = dyi. So either dyi or let it break and program in so the govt can take loads more of your money. 170k miles, Japan would have an arrest warrant on you for being a bad citizen, lol.

Manufacturing is less than 20% of Japan’s income, and Half of THAT is Electronics, small-appliances, and personal devices, and a good-portion being Textiles. The Largest area of Japanese Industry is in “Services”.

The rest of your comment also ignores those agricultural and petroleum producing countries…. good reasons to question much of the post as not being well-researched.

 

[EdGs]

Filter is part of the OE pan.

If you can DIY, you will be way ahead of the game. The process is a little involved and such, but completely doable.

PPE makes an excellent aluminum pan with a replaceable filter, and similarily priced to the OE plastic pan.

Plenty of threads and help here if you decide to DIY.

 

[Burla]

Manufacturing is less than 20% of Japan’s income, and Half of THAT is Electronics, small-appliances, and personal devices, and a good-portion being Textiles. The Largest area of Japanese Industry is in “Services”.

The rest of your comment also ignores those agricultural and petroleum producing countries…. good reasons to question much of the post as not being well-researched.

Read the post grams I was referring to historical, it was a history of why we build vehicles like isht today and have been for well over a decade.

Shaken law = 1951
Gas crisis 1973 and 1979
Led to Japan running the show - gas mileage engines.
1980's through 2000's Japan number one industry - auto manufacturing
today auto industry is the largest export = power.

 

[RamDiver]

I have a 2015 ram 1500 bighorn w/5.7 hemi 4x4 with aprox 170,000 mi and 8 speed trans, back around 90,000 i had the transmission serviced so today i started looking into having it done again. I called a Ram dealer and the service department told me that being a sealed transmission they didn’t recommend having it done, puzzling to me, so I called another dealership Same answer, with that i called at least 5 different transmission shops, most would do it but several again said they didn’t recommend it, what gives here I thought this was something that should be done every 100k give or so. Should I have it done or not and also should i have the Pan/Filter replaced also ? They are asking anywhere from $850. To 1200. Thanks

Read up on the PPE +2 quart pan with replaceable filter assembly.
The OE pan is a plastic disposable POS (can't be reused) that should never be installed on a truck.

I plan to change the pan at about 60K miles and fluid every 50-60K miles as per the manufacturer, ZF.

Either do the work yourself, or find a small competent tranny shop willing to follow the green sheet and allow you to watch. That's my plan.





There are several threads on this topic and a few YouTube videos.
The most important aspect that is missed by many videos and tranny shops is to level the tranny, not the truck.

Levelling the tranny requires the rear end to be lifted about 8-10".
Changing the fluid regularly, as per ZF, is a smart idea if you plan to keep your truck working.
Not changing the fluid is farm-animal stupid, no disrespect to farm animals intended.

.

 

[Grams]

Read the post grams I was referring to historical, it was a history of why we build vehicles like isht today and have been for well over a decade.

Shaken law = 1951
Gas crisis 1973 and 1979
Led to Japan running the show - gas mileage engines.
1980's through 2000's Japan number one industry - auto manufacturing
today auto industry is the largest export = power.

From Google: “In the 1980s, Japan’s leading and most dominant industry was advanced electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, ..”
From AI: “In 1986, Japan officially surpassed the United States to become the world's leading supplier of semiconductors. Brands like Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi revolutionized global markets with consumer electronics like the Walkman, while Nintendo dominated the emerging home video game industry”

While Toyota and Honda became World Leaders in automobiles…they were not Japan’s largest leaders.

Toyota was Already an up-and-coming small engine/automotive PRIOR to the ‘73 oil embargo. (I was actually a Toyota New Dealer technician in 1971/72…as well as an owner at that time. I am somewhat familiar with that side of the discussion.)
I was also a part-owner of a flight-school in Houston from ‘73 onward, and our clients happened to be young Japanese student and advanced pilot applicants. We obtained our Japanese students thru the Dr. Sutow -family references, which included members of the Suzuki and Fuijita families.
I am not attempting to denigrate your beliefs…I’m only offering to correct what I believe to be a misimpression.

The “shaken” law was not designed to force people to buy new cars every 5 years. (In 1951 very few Japanese even owned private vehicles. Japan was and is-still, heavily reliant upon public transportation. But the U.S. occupation forces required new vehicle traffic laws and many new laws were introduced at that time under U.S. military governorship. It is a vehicle-inspection requirement to keep vehicles safe and operational, not too different than many such laws in other nations and U.S. states, and it even allows owners to self-inspect their vehicles. it also only applied to larger cars and engines, not small ones. It is sensible and addresses brakes, suspension, lights, and is actually considered somewhat lax on emissions.

Motor-vehicle inspection (Japan) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Burla]

You sure are simple, I was trying to encourage the guy to do his own flush as it's literally the only way to know if it was done right. I'm sure there is a dipstick joke here.

 

[MarshRam]

@Bacon6 This is what I'm doing on my 8 speed for the first time (137K miles). I purchased the Mopar fluid and pan. Yes, you need to replace the pan IMO, it has the filter built into it. You want that new filter! I really wanted to do it myself. After watching what I perceived to be the correct process, I realized I would really prefer a lift to do it. Not saying you can't do it without it, it just seemed safer and ensures it's level. I just don't personally like the idea of starting my truck up on jack stands, switching gears around and jumping in and out and laying under it while it's running. Guy's do it all the time though! There has to be a small shop that will do it for you.

I bought what I needed awhile back, so don't recall exactly how much I paid, but I'm thinking $350ish for the new pan and around a hundredish for the fluid. So, $400-$500 or so. Local smaller shop will do the labor for $230 out the door. I'm in $650-$750 or so. I'm confused about the dealership refusing, some will gladly do it for $1k+ from what I have read. It seems this is one of those trucks your looking to get 300K+ miles out of. I don't care what the dealership says, I can't wrap my head around pulling that off without ever changing the tranny fluid. Maybe if you never towed anything, IDK. What I do know is fluids break down, this is almost kindergarten physics101. They do claim lifetime transmission, but lifetime is not defined whatsoever, so that's a pointless claim. IMO, the definition of lifetime to them is the 100K mile warranty and that is not explicitly defined by them and passed to us as valuable information. LOL. It's just part of the planned obsolescence game IMO.

My two cents; to save a little, just get the parts yourself and keep searching for a shop that will do it. If you are hesitant about not having a dealership do it, I get it. There's no guarantee my plan won't go real wrong. But the reality is, if the dealership or anyone else does it and it goes wrong, they'll claim no fault, after all, it's a lifetime transmission as DEFINED by the manufacturer, you weren't supposed to change it. LOL. Good Luck, if my tranny is wrecked after said plan, I'll report back!

 

[06 Dodge]

I have a 2015 ram 1500 bighorn w/5.7 hemi 4x4 with aprox 170,000 mi and 8 speed trans, back around 90,000 i had the transmission serviced so today i started looking into having it done again. I called a Ram dealer and the service department told me that being a sealed transmission they didn’t recommend having it done, puzzling to me, so I called another dealership Same answer, with that i called at least 5 different transmission shops, most would do it but several again said they didn’t recommend it, what gives here I thought this was something that should be done every 100k give or so. Should I have it done or not and also should i have the Pan/Filter replaced also ? They are asking anywhere from $850. To 1200. Thanks

Sad to hear stuff like this, my local dealer here in Oregon would have asked when would you like to make and appointment for us to service your transmission.....

 

[Wild one]

@Bacon6 This is what I'm doing on my 8 speed for the first time (137K miles). I purchased the Mopar fluid and pan. Yes, you need to replace the pan IMO, it has the filter built into it. You want that new filter! I really wanted to do it myself. After watching what I perceived to be the correct process, I realized I would really prefer a lift to do it. Not saying you can't do it without it, it just seemed safer and ensures it's level. I just don't personally like the idea of starting my truck up on jack stands, switching gears around and jumping in and out and laying under it while it's running. Guy's do it all the time though! There has to be a small shop that will do it for you.

I bought what I needed awhile back, so don't recall exactly how much I paid, but I'm thinking $350ish for the new pan and around a hundredish for the fluid. So, $400-$500 or so. Local smaller shop will do the labor for $230 out the door. I'm in $650-$750 or so. I'm confused about the dealership refusing, some will gladly do it for $1k+ from what I have read. It seems this is one of those trucks your looking to get 300K+ miles out of. I don't care what the dealership says, I can't wrap my head around pulling that off without ever changing the tranny fluid. Maybe if you never towed anything, IDK. What I do know is fluids break down, this is almost kindergarten physics101. They do claim lifetime transmission, but lifetime is not defined whatsoever, so that's a pointless claim. IMO, the definition of lifetime to them is the 100K mile warranty and that is not explicitly defined by them and passed to us as valuable information. LOL. It's just part of the planned obsolescence game IMO.

My two cents; to save a little, just get the parts yourself and keep searching for a shop that will do it. If you are hesitant about not having a dealership do it, I get it. There's no guarantee my plan won't go real wrong. But the reality is, if the dealership or anyone else does it and it goes wrong, they'll claim no fault, after all, it's a lifetime transmission as DEFINED by the manufacturer, you weren't supposed to change it. LOL. Good Luck, if my tranny is wrecked after said plan, I'll report back!

Take the Green sheet to them,and make sure you specify the "transmission" needs to be "level" not the truck.If they do it on a lift odds are they'll just pick it up,and not lift the rearend high enough to actually get the transmission level.
Leveling the transmission is mucho important,as it's the very first step in the procedure,and ZF highlighted it enough you can't miss it.
BTW these are the instructions that come with a "brand new" truck specific 8 speed when you buy the transmission through your local dealer,and supersede any generic instructions your local shop will have access to.
Ram trucks are a total oddball,as they're the only application that uses the ZF 8 speed and points it downhill,pretty well every other application that uses the same transmission,whether it be Audi or Rolls Royce or a Challenger/Charger has the transmission basically sitting level in the chassis

 

[EdGs]

TIP:

BEFORE you loosen the plug to drain the fluid on your 8 speed pan:

CRACK THE FILL PLUG LOOSE, BUT DO NOT REMOVE IT.

I think Hercules was working on the transmission line when my transmission got filled, that plug was tight enough I had to use a cheater to break it loose.

Also, if you ignore the bolded step above and remove the fill plug while the engine is off, you will need some cleanup on aisle 6, lol.

Regarding fluid: quite a few members on this site have used Valvoline MaxLife fluid in their 8 speeds with no issues. It states on the back of the bottle that it is compatible with the 8 speed AND its around $25 per gallon, a great value.

If you have any warranty in play, you might not wish to use it to avoid any hassle.

Best wishes for a smooth service.

 

[jc56berg]

Read up on the PPE +2 quart pan with replaceable filter assembly.
The OE pan is a plastic disposable POS (can't be reused) that should never be installed on a truck.

I plan to change the pan at about 60K miles and fluid every 50-60K miles as per the manufacturer, ZF.

Either do the work yourself, or find a small competent tranny shop willing to follow the green sheet and allow you to watch. That's my plan.


View attachment 586151


There are several threads on this topic and a few YouTube videos.
The most important aspect that is missed by many videos and tranny shops is to level the tranny, not the truck.

Levelling the tranny requires the rear end to be lifted about 8-10".
Changing the fluid regularly, as per ZF, is a smart idea if you plan to keep your truck working.
Not changing the fluid is farm-animal stupid, no disrespect to farm animals intended.

.

There is a way to P/M members, i looked but didn't see how so I'll just ask you. The PPE tranny pan w/filter. PPE site said out of stock and cost $329. It is 2qt's bigger and looks nice. Do you have this pan in service? Just want to know if its a compatible upgrade worth the money. Trans temp on mine runs 192-196 (original stuff) w/oem fluid and pan. 50600 miles and am wanting the service done. Your thoughts please.

 

[RamDiver]

There is a way to P/M members, i looked but didn't see how so I'll just ask you. The PPE tranny pan w/filter. PPE site said out of stock and cost $329. It is 2qt's bigger and looks nice. Do you have this pan in service? Just want to know if its a compatible upgrade worth the money. Trans temp on mine runs 192-196 (original stuff) w/oem fluid and pan. 50600 miles and am wanting the service done. Your thoughts please.

I believe it’s the best possible option, and at the price difference from the OE pan, I don't know why anyone would use the POS disposable plastic pan.

Try searching PPE transmission pan and you will likely find many threads covering the installation process.

Don't forget, another great option is adding Jesse Caulk's thermal bypass bundle option. I have mine waiting to be installed when I install a PPE pan in the near future.

I see that I already mentioned this to you, in the link below.

8hp70 bypass stats

Thanks to a tip from Wild one I bought the bypass and the trans temps are hard to believe but what’s harder is that I was so stupid to put 40 k on a new truck that is stupidly designed to cook the oil and itself.Did the 119” belt and brakes and rotors too.

www.ramforum.com

My plan is to order the PPE +2 pan with a couple of filter kits.

I'm considering doing a fluid flush or two, before changing the pan. This will be good practice for setting the fluid levels.

I've read that it's impossible to drain all the fluid and performing a flush or two will dilute more of the remaining old fluid with new.

I'm not about to skimp on the tranny PM.
That would be a failure in logistics and economics in my mind.


To send PMs, slide a mouse over the username and click start conversion.
With a phone, tap the username and then start conversion.



Or, click or tap the envelope to the right of your username in the upper-right, then click start a new conversion.

.

 

[jc56berg]

I believe it’s the best possible option, and at the price difference from the OE pan, I don't know why anyone would use the POS disposable plastic pan.

Try searching PPE transmission pan and you will likely find many threads covering the installation process.

Don't forget, another great option is adding Jesse Caulk's thermal bypass bundle option. I have mine waiting to be installed when I install a PPE pan in the near future.

I see that I already mentioned this to you, in the link below.

8hp70 bypass stats

Thanks to a tip from Wild one I bought the bypass and the trans temps are hard to believe but what’s harder is that I was so stupid to put 40 k on a new truck that is stupidly designed to cook the oil and itself.Did the 119” belt and brakes and rotors too.

www.ramforum.com

My plan is to order the PPE +2 pan with a couple of filter kits.

I'm considering doing a fluid flush or two, before changing the pan. This will be good practice for setting the fluid levels.

I've read that it's impossible to drain all the fluid and performing a flush or two will dilute more of the remaining old fluid with new.

I'm not about to skimp on the tranny PM.
That would be a failure in logistics and economics in my mind.


To send PMs, slide a mouse over the username and click start conversion.
With a phone, tap the username and then start conversion.

View attachment 586170

Or, click or tap the envelope to the right of your username in the upper-right, then click start a new conversion.

.

Thank you and yes, have checked into the bypass. Like the tranny to run cooler.

 

[Wild one]

There is a way to P/M members, i looked but didn't see how so I'll just ask you. The PPE tranny pan w/filter. PPE site said out of stock and cost $329. It is 2qt's bigger and looks nice. Do you have this pan in service? Just want to know if its a compatible upgrade worth the money. Trans temp on mine runs 192-196 (original stuff) w/oem fluid and pan. 50600 miles and am wanting the service done. Your thoughts please.

I installed the PPE pan way back in the fall of 2017,and it's been on and off many times since then with nary an issue. After blowing up 1 transmission and having to buy a new one,i got in the habit of changing the fluid on a yearly basis after that.It's alot easier to bite off the fluid costs and change fluid then it is to bite off the cost of a new transmission and swap it on a 4X4. If you're wondering why,the truck would beat Hellcats at the dragstrip

 

[MarshRam]

Take the Green sheet to them,and make sure you specify the "transmission" needs to be "level" not the truck.If they do it on a lift odds are they'll just pick it up,and not lift the rearend high enough to actually get the transmission level.
Leveling the transmission is mucho important,as it's the very first step in the procedure,and ZF highlighted it enough you can't miss it.
BTW these are the instructions that come with a "brand new" truck specific 8 speed when you buy the transmission through your local dealer,and supersede any generic instructions your local shop will have access to.
Ram trucks are a total oddball,as they're the only application that uses the ZF 8 speed and points it downhill,pretty well every other application that uses the same transmission,whether it be Audi or Rolls Royce or a Challenger/Charger has the transmission basically sitting level in the chassis

Thanks for that reminder and attachment. Printed! It's hilarious that it comes with the truck that has a so-called lifetime transmission. Love the 8 speed transmission, but what a PITA. LOL

 

[star_deceiver]

Getting the rear end high enough is the biggest pain, that and running through the gears quickly.