Changing the transmission sump filter in an Aisin AS69RC equipped RAM 3500 pickup

[gsbrockman]

On to the fun stuff.......gaining access to the four Aisin transmission pan bolts closest to the transmission crossmember. #@$%!

My initial attempt was to use a 1/4" drive nut driver, a universal joint, and a 10 mm socket. FAIL !!! I could not get any combination of the above into the area where the four most rearward bolts were located.

My next attempt was to remove the three nuts that attach the transmission mount to the crossmember, then, using a floorjack, raise it slightly in hopes of gaining enough access to the bolts. FAIL once again....

Upon investigating further.....there was only one last alternative.

Drop the crossmember!!!! #@$%! :{

For those of you with the Snow Plow Prep Group or Protection Group, you'll need to remove the transfer case skidplate. Remove the three nuts holding the transmission mount to the crossmember.
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Place a floorjack under the transfer case.
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On the driver's side crossmember, remove the innermost bolt that attaches the crossmember to the frame. Loosen the outermost bolt a few turns so as to allow the crossmember to pivot.
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Better view of the bolt to be removed....
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Moving to the passenger side, remove BOTH bolts securing the crossmember to the frame.
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It will be a chore, so be prepared to pry downward on the crossmember to get it down enough.

You now have access to the transmission pan bolts !!! Oo. :-laf
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Pic of transmission pan with gasket still attached. Although this is not marketed as a reusable gasket, I'd almost bet it could be reused----at least once. I opted to purchase a new gasket as A)I live 62 miles one-way from my dealer and B)This ASRC fluid is $11.76 per quart.
Note the four small pan magnets.
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Pic of old transmission filter.
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Pic of new transmission filter.
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Pic of new pan gasket.
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Pic of transmission with old filter removed.
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After cleaning the pan and pan magnets, I used a little shot of this to keep the pan gasket in place while I re-installed the pan.
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My driveway has a slight incline to it, so I level the truck up for best draining.
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I wish the drain plug was down lower into the pan, as there's a decent amount of residual fluid, even when drained via the drain plug.

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I had eight quarts of ASRC fluid at home, as I anticipated I would not lose much more than an extra quart when I dropped the pan. I was quite surprised to find that there's more retained in the pan that does not come out the drain hole than I expected, coupled with a decent amount that floods out when the filter is dropped.

I installed 7 quarts, took a shower, and got ready to meet my wife in Richmond, KY for a dinner date at O'Charley's. Since I was too nasty to test drive the truck after the servicing, I decided I'd clean up, then get the truck to operating temp, then re-check the fluid.

More fun begins.....while I was brushing my teeth, I decided I'd run outside and start the truck. I came back outside, only to find the CEL on. #@$%! I decided I left something loose in regards to the CCV filter, so I'd check it when I got back.

I drop the truck into reverse......and there was a huge BAMMMMMMM just like someone rear-ended me at about 3--5 mph. I decide to turn the truck off, pull the code, and found I had a P0868---Transmission Fluid Pressure Low. The BAMMMMMM also happened when shifting into drive.....and back & forth.

I think to myself......now this is great.....probably an issue with the seating of the new transmission sump filter...but I was sure I had it in good. I cleared the code, and the problem vanished.

After driving about 18 miles, I was finally to operating temperature. I check the fluid, added 1/2 quart, and re-checked. I added the remaining 1/2 quart and drove on to Richmond. When I got back home, I re-checked and the level was only about 1/8" above the "COLD" mark. I'd bet that I'm a solid 1.5 to 2.0 quarts low as of right now.

All in all......a great spring day for alot of maintenance. All I have remaining is a tire rotation......and that will be a piece of cake in comparison to what I've been through today. :thumbsup:

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[DAN V]

Clear code

Just a little curious as to how you cleared the code. You have a code reader or can you do it via the menu on the truck?

 

[Bob4x4]

Bare filters laying in the dirt/grass ?

 

[garrettg84]

Bare filters laying in the dirt/grass ?

Looks like the old/dirty stuff to me.

 

[mpaulson]

Nice write up. Thanks, but now I'm not looking forward to doing this myself now.

 

[CThomsen]

Good info. I'm just getting ready to roll over 45K on my 13 and am starting to think about the 60K service.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I wonder if the dealer techs have a short cut for this..............Bob??....Sag??

Sam

 

[gsbrockman]

I wonder if the dealer techs have a short cut for this..............Bob??....Sag??

Sam

Crawl under yours and take a peek......I'm always willing to learn, but, IMO----there is NO shortcut.

Just a little curious as to how you cleared the code. You have a code reader or can you do it via the menu on the truck?

I have a code reader......a little cheapie one from Amazon that was about $26 or so.

Bare filters laying in the dirt/grass ?

The air filter should have been an instant giveaway that those were the used parts. I'd like to think that everyone on here has enough common sense to NOT subject new maintenance items to dirt/grass prior to installation.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NanoNet fuel filter looks new to me.

For getting the refill correct dump old fluid into something that has volume/gallons/quarts so you know exactly how much came out so you can replace with the same volume.

So you did not change ALL the trans fluid?

 

[TimBrunett]

Good write up and the pics make it even better. Thanks. It looks like a good deal of time and maybe some help from a second set of hands and its a lot of extra work compared to what I did on my 2001 for about $100 or less. My dealer said the Aisin fluid/filter service was running about $550. Your write up helps me understand why.

TB

 

[Cummins12V98]

Good write up and the pics make it even better. Thanks. It looks like a good deal of time and maybe some help from a second set of hands and its a lot of extra work compared to what I did on my 2001 for about $100 or less. My dealer said the Aisin fluid/filter service was running about $550. Your write up helps me understand why.

TB

So take away the 8 quarts and filter from the $550 that leaves about $410 for labor to dump fluid and change filter. I will bet that price is just the pan as the op did and not a complete change.

Personally I never have or never will do a partial fluid change. I don't change "part" of my engine oil.

 

[Cummins12V98]

OP thanks for the great write up! It will help me down the road.

 

[gsbrockman]

So you did not change ALL the trans fluid?

No. 8 quarts are in now......and if it takes two more that will be 10 quarts. The Aisin overhaul fill is reported to be at 13.74 quarts. If that's the case.......72.7% of the fluid is new. I'll be happy.

What's your suggestions for avoiding the "partial fluid change" on a truck with a thermostatically controlled transmission cooler line system???

 

[Ram4Sam]

Crawl under yours and take a peek......I'm always willing to learn, but, IMO----there is NO shortcut.=QUOTE]

Okay......I did Even though at 8,000 miles a year for me, it won't be a problem for me for awhile........I would bet a guy could drill a 1/2" hole(or so) through the bottom and the top of the cross member right under each of the four bolts. Stick a 1/4" drive socket and extension up through the hole and remove the bolts down through the cross member..........just don't drop the bolts inside the cross member. While I am no engineer, I don't think the extra holes in the cross member would hurt anything.

Sam

 

[TimBrunett]

When you get the bolts through the drilled holes will the pan drop down far enough to clear the low hanging transmission parts and come off? Its a good idea if the pan can be removed.

TB

 

[tony1461571]

Is there an inspection plate for the TC and a plug to drain the rest of the transmission fluid.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Is there an inspection plate for the TC and a plug to drain the rest of the transmission fluid.

THAT would be nice to know!

 

[Cummins12V98]

No. 8 quarts are in now......and if it takes two more that will be 10 quarts. The Aisin overhaul fill is reported to be at 13.74 quarts. If that's the case.......72.7% of the fluid is new. I'll be happy.

What's your suggestions for avoiding the "partial fluid change" on a truck with a thermostatically controlled transmission cooler line system???

On my 11 with the 68RFE I popped the trans line by the radiator on the drivers side and attached a hose to it. Did a fluid exchange. I have no idea if that will work with the Aisin but that is what I will try to do when the time comes unless there is a converter drain plug.

 

[TimBrunett]

There's a drain plug on the pan. Although I didn't specifically check for TC inspection, most likely yes on that too.

Drilling holes is not going to be an option because the edge of the square tube lines up right where the holes would have to be drilled.

 

[tony1461571]

Would help if there is, There was a plug on the TC and plate was easy to remove on my 98.5 that was not to hard to get at and I once seen someone use the oil line up by the right front of the truck would be nice if ether one worked.