Transmission Service - Complete Exchange or Drop Pan

[Haney]

Hello,

I have a 2003 2500 with a 48RE Automatic Transmission. The truck and transmission have 101K miles. I am not having any transmission problems, just time to do service. When I did the sevice at 50K, I just had them drop the pan, change filter and add back the pan capacity. Should I do this again or have the total exchange done. I have heard bad stories about total exchanges.



BTW, Since having around 60K on the truck, I have been pulling a 12K 5er with it quite a bit in the summer.



Any commments is greatly apprecitated... .



Thanks

 

[cerberusiam]

If all your doing is dropping the pan, changing the filter, and topping off the fluid you probably should be doing that every 25k or so to make sure the fluid stays clean. 50k is a long time to go without a fluid change if you spend much time towing.



An exchange is not a problem as long as they don't try to flush it. You really should change the filter to make sure it is clean especially since its been that long so then an exchange just costs you more. Dropping the return line flow into a bucket on a couple top off and drain cycles works quite well in that scenario.

 

[MFalkinham]

I agree with cerberusiam. Drop the pan, replace the filter, and refill with Mopar ATF+4 every 30k miles, and your 48re will be very happy.

You might also consider adding a bottle of Lubegard red with each fluid change - I like it.

LUBEGARD ATF Protectant Red Bottle: Bulkpart transmission parts

 

[CAPN Harley]

I would not do a flush or exchange unless the filter you put in last time was metal. I would also look at adjusting the bands.