'03 transmission lines starting to rot out.

[Nelco]

Hi all. Just thought I'd check for any words of wisdom before I tackled replacing the transmission cooler lines on my '03 3500 SRW. I was underneath today replacing sway-bar links for the same reason. It's too bad as the truck only has 44K miles. Anyway, I noticed where the rubber line transitions to the steel line near the steering box has a drip. While not a crisis, it's nice to get on the problem before it goes Tango Uniform.

I was thinking of going new from the cooler to the transmission as the other lines are a little "furry" also. It doesn't look like a pleasant job so I thought I'd check in and see if anyone has any hints. I plan to check at the dealer tomorrow on the parts-they don't look like they would be available local.

TIA, Gary

 

[FJfonda]

Don't wait -- looks like you are in the northeast and have been exposed to road salt. Did mine last year, all lines needed replacing. There are 3 lines, one from trans to exchanger, one from exchanger to cooler and the long cooler to trans line. I cut the long line to help in the installation using a compression fitting to make the connection in the middle. The problem areas will be frozen fittings on both the heat exchanger and the trans as well as rusty slip on fittings on the cooler.

 

[Nelco]

Don't wait -- looks like you are in the northeast and have been exposed to road salt. Did mine last year, all lines needed replacing. There are 3 lines, one from trans to exchanger, one from exchanger to cooler and the long cooler to trans line. I cut the long line to help in the installation using a compression fitting to make the connection in the middle. The problem areas will be frozen fittings on both the heat exchanger and the trans as well as rusty slip on fittings on the cooler.

Thanks FJ. I picked up the lines today. ($450. 00 ) I have already started with some PB Blaster in the hopes to lessen the frozen fittings. I hadn't thought of cutting the long line but understand the value. The slip fittings on the cooler don't look horrible other than the location. Thanks again. Gary

 

[Prairie Dog]

Some NAPA's can rebuild your old lines for a reasonable fee ~ basically they just crimp on new rubber hydraulic line.

 

[Mr. Hemi]

Last year I noticed trans fluid leaking and it turned out between rust on the lines rubbing by the engine mount they had developed a pin hole in the pressure line. All new lines from Dodge did the trick, not cheap, and I made sure to put rubber hose around a line where it would rub. Just need to keep an eye on them for rust due to the brine PENNDOT sprays on the roads for winter storms.

 

[GardnerM]

I did mine and wished Id known about cutting the long one from trans. Also the one that runs from the cooler to the pass. side behind engine. It was bad but i shoved a rubber hose elbow over that one and hoseclamped it in 4 places. I want to get the new one running behind engine but very afraid of how the hell you dig it out and install the new one along with the tubes going to heater core above turbo. Friggin DOT in Illinois always salts THEN they plow later. Lazy %&*#ers!! Wed be fired overnight if we did that to our customers . Plow Then salt lightly. It`l never change here in Peoples Republic of Illinois.

 

[Nelco]

Well, lines are in. Oo. Removal of the front drive-shaft allowed the long line to go in-in one piece. Along with the suspect corrosion, when the plastic clips that hold on to the two lines were removed, there was a "bleed through" of ATF. Luckily I caught this in time.

This is no doubt a road salt problem. There have been some comments in this thread about the excessive use of road salt-it's true. My info has it that the insurance company's push for all the salt and as no one slows down here there is no doubt that it helps the insurance company's bottom line-my vehicles, not so much.

This is a good thing for all to check if your truck spends any time in the "rust belt".