48RE service

[CumminsWill82]

Hello,I;m going to do the fuild change on my buddies 04. 5 ram. Truck has 35,000 miles of heavy hauling. We got the ATF4 and i assume the filter doesn't need to be replace cause its a mesh type not paper element. Question, should i adjust the bands and what are the specs, can anything go wrong? or should they be left alone? BTW will 2003 4x2 shocks fit a 04, we found monroe sensatracs fo 45. 00 ea but only for 03 3500 DRW.

 

[DPKetchum]

Personally I'd do a trans flush on it with heavy towing. Take it a dealer/quick lube/full service garage with a flush machine and exchange the entire 16/17 qts or what not for new. Ban adjust is never done in real world shops. I'll get flamed for this but the only ones who even bring it up are on these forums. Its done on a overhaul but other wise left alone. Goes back the dinosaur era of 727s etc. Techs have told me many times that they wish they'd take that out of the books and maintance sheets. Anyhow buy some ATF+4 and get it flushed. At 90k if you want check bans and clean the screen. I'd flush it every 30k max with heavy towing/work.

 

[Tryingit]

If your gonna go for the transmission flush, spend the extra money and go to the dealer. This way there will be no warranty issues. I plan on doing my own trans service every 20K. They have been doing this way forever. According to a trans tech I know the flush if done improperly could be the death of the trans. Just my opinion.

 

[lcrawford]

did mine today I got a filter and oil from the dealer and did it myself along with rearend and engine oil it was easy I always just change filter and oil in the pan 6 quarts and the gasket is reusable

 

[DPKetchum]

Sold and handled I bet a few thousand transmission flushs. The only trans its gonna hurt is one thats already in a death grip. Its the only time I had customers comment that shift quality,torque convertor lock up etc. was back like it was new. Every tech we had used this machine on their own vehicles. You never saw them pulling pans unless the original filter and had 90k or so on it.

 

[CumminsWill82]

Thanks for the imput guys, What i;am going to do is just drop the pan check the filter and clean the filter and pan. I won't touch the bands and just flush the trans through the cooling lines. I have about four gallons so that should be enough. sounds good?

 

[DPKetchum]

Not a complete flush it might be close but I'll bet you need a another qt or two or three.

 

[SWeddell]

I am not sure if this guy was telling the truth or not, but when my reverse in the transmission in this truck went out at 700 miles, I was talking to the service writer about it. He had mentioned that that he had worked in the transmission industry the prior 17 years. He said for the most part a transmission flush was a gimmick to sell the customers a higher priced service. The only time it should be done would be if the transmission had seen a lot of miles without a change in fliud and filter. He said it was a gimmick because most times the flushes aren't done properly and if they are done right they are expensive.



He said the right way to do it would be to drop the pan and put in a new filter and then flush. No sense to flush good fluid through a dirty filter. Then drop pan again and replace filter again with a new one. Now you can reflush and top transmission off.



He said really the best way is to just drop the pan and change the filter every year or 15,000 miles. As long as the fluid is red its still in good condition. I'm not sure how much he said was true and just passing it along in case other have heard similar statements and might be able to validate them.



He mentioned the obvious of making sure you are towing in the proper gear and not in O/D, unless the RPM's are up, because lugging the engine and making that transmission heat up will speed up the death cycle.

 

[DPKetchum]

He full of do do. You have to tow in o/d or drive at 55 mph or less. (depends on 3. 73 or 4. 10. ) The FLUSH does not move particles through the filter. (thats why its called a FILTER)It exchanges ALL of the used fliud for new. Most fiters today are designed for LONG use. A lot of manufactures state if NOT towing service trans every 100k or not at all etc. or if towing every 30k etc. and some filters are only done in a overhaul(some can't be removed unless trans torn down)The fliud is the life blood of a auto trans. and the fliuds today color is not always a issue,if niot mistaken its stated where ATF+4 may turn dark fairly quickly and its not a sign of anything other then the dye base is turning color. Ever well equiped shop I've been into now has a flush machine and love them. It flush's/exhanges fliud from the entire trans including lines and coolers. Only times I have had customers comment about shift quality and torque convertor lockup being smooth and performing like new. NEVER heard that with 5 qts and and a filter change.

 

[RAvery]

Even if a person is qualified, With the D/C is trying to save money on 7/70 are'nt you better of to let the dealer do it. Just in case of any future problem, then you point the finger back at them.