Transmission whining

[War_Machinist]

2018 power wagon
Transmission whining on the highway when downshifting from either 6th to 5th or 5th to 4th. Sometimes jerks forward a bit. Had flush done hoping it would remedy the issue a bit but to no avail. Please, any more info or auggestions. I have read about the valve body issues and line pressure issues in 5th and 6th gears. What can I do to make her last another year or so before trading her in, that won't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[mtofell]

6spd or 8spd? (sorry, can't remember what year that changed). I've been through two failures on my 66rfe (6spd) and unfortunately, both had similar symptoms to what you're describing. Have you ever gone into limp mode? That's when the tranny will only drive in 1 and 4. My problems were most noticeable under moderate/hard acceleration. I don't ever recall having problems like your in 5/6 gears but the jerking was the same in lower gears. You might try swapping the valve body since that is a known weak spot and is somewhat of the mechanical brain of the unit. Of course, throwing parts at it could end up getting expensive. I never did get much in the way of error codes... again, this is all for the 66rfe.

 

[War_Machinist]

6spd or 8spd? (sorry, can't remember what year that changed). I've been through two failures on my 66rfe (6spd) and unfortunately, both had similar symptoms to what you're describing. Have you ever gone into limp mode? That's when the tranny will only drive in 1 and 4. My problems were most noticeable under moderate/hard acceleration. I don't ever recall having problems like your in 5/6 gears but the jerking was the same in lower gears. You might try swapping the valve body since that is a known weak spot and is somewhat of the mechanical brain of the unit. Of course, throwing parts at it could end up getting expensive. I never did get much in the way of error codes... again, this is all for the 66rfe.

6 spd. Forgot the actual code numbers but said something about 5th and 6th gears. It has gone into limp mode a few months back after trying to give her more gas going up a ramp from a highway to another highway. Transmission down shifted hard, revved up, and believe got stuck in 4th limp mode. Got of the highway to a parking lot, shut off the engine for a couple of minutes and was fine after that, besides a noticeable difference in the overdrive downshifts. I think a mix between running 37s without regearing for 5 years and started more highway commuting in the past 3 years wote out the valve body quicker, especially in this hell of Houston traffic. Note: never done any towing just strickly offroad use for fun.

Either way, got a quote from a transmission builder who specializes in rebuilding chrysler transmissions for about 8k for the 66RFE. Co workers all say that 8k is better as a downpayment on a new vehicle and starting to feel that way.

NOT looking forward to spending that much or even letting her sit at a shops for a couple days just to make her last for a year or so when I'm planning on trading her in already then as for she is my only source of reliable transportation at the moment.

 

[mtofell]

Co workers all say that 8k is better as a downpayment on a new vehicle and starting to feel that way.

Tough call.... with interest rates these days and the price of trucks, 8K may not be that bad.

I know it's tough to really gauge reliability from a few posts on an internet forum but there sure are a lot of tranny problems discussed as these trucks age.

 

[Burla]

You can drop VB with a T25 bit and see if it is the VB pistons or cross leaking, the rfe loses OD first which can be fixable most times with a gasket... Hemi395 found this vid from way back. Cross leaks cause poor lubrication, cheap fix is possible, just rebuild kit the valve body.

Product Overview: ATS 68RFE Valve Body and ATS Co-Pilot

Clint Cannon, President of ATS, describes the inherent weaknesses of the 68RFE (545RFE, too) valve body. This is a comprehensive overview of the numerous pro...

youtu.be