48RE service...dealer or no

[goodguys75]

Last time i did the transmission fluid change myself, and put on a mag heytec double deep pan....but I thought to myself, that if i take it to the dealer they should be able to remove all the fluid and be able to adjust the bands....should i take it to the dealer...I'm sort of being a little lazy, just want to get it done....anyone here had it done by the dealer and there machine to evacuate all the fluid??? thanks for any input....

 

[Wingate]

I would stay away from the dealership with your transmission unless you can find one that you genuinely trust. One mistake and youre buying a rebuild.

 

[goodguys75]

is the band adjustment something that has too be done, or if it aint broke don't touch it...??? thanks

 

[AnOldBiker]

Change the fluid and filter when needed and don't touch the bands until needed, or check at the 100k mark.
Never failed me on any truck yet.

 

[Wayne M.]

First thing to understand is that the 48 is basically the ultimate Chrysler torqueflite automatic. In the Durango in my sig is the baby version of the 48, the 44. If you know anything about Durangos, the transmission has a real bad rap. When I got it in 2001 with 21k mi, I decided to be obsessive with the trans. I dropped the pan every other year. Used ATF+4 and a Mopar filter every time. My wife beats the hell out of this thing, and the transmission has never been down. Still shifts like a champ.
There's no doubt in my mind that ATF loses its additive package and goes bad way before the manual says. Some may say that you're leaving money on the table, but it works for me.
Some trannys are sealed. Not easily serviced. That's just not good.

 

[cerberusiam]

The fluid exchange machine is the less messy way to exchange the fluid. They are pretty hard to screw up the process if they are half way competent. Just make sure they drop the pan, show you what it looks like, and change the filter.

Adjusting the abnds is your call. They should be able to do it correctly. If it doesn't shift right after you get it back go back right away. The band needs adjusted every fluid chnage if you use the truck as intended. If you don't check you will never know when problems are imminent.