I changed the 2014 Durango transmission filter today on the 8HP45 8 speed. This is the first time the filter has ever been changed in 161,750 miles. That may seem like an excessive number of miles for the first trans filter change, but it's fine. First, the trans has had fluid spill and fills every 20k miles since new. Second, when you look at the filter pictures, you'll see that the "filter" is nothing but a very thin rock strainer. Most of the material appears to fall off the filter and settle to the bottom of the pan when parked. You can see some debris caught in the corners, which appears to be non-metallic clutch material. Would I recommend going 161k miles between filter changes? My opinion is *IF* you are doing spill and fills, then yeah, 150k is fine, but if you don't to spill and fills, then you need to change the filter and fluid more often. This transmission discolors the fluid fairly quickly. The fluid runs at 200°F all the time, a component of the fluid could be oxidizing or it could be clutch material or both. The last spill and fill was 20k miles ago and the fluid had a grayish tint, as you can see in the pictures. There were some fairly large metal flakes in the pan, the magnets were pretty filled, and there were a LOT of very small flakes that made the bottom of the pan look sparkly. I replace the filter with an OEM, notice the exact same part number, but no drain plug, as they no longer make a pan with a plug, grrr. The only bad thing about the drain plus is that the fitting is raised about 1/4" so you never get that fluid or the sparklies out of the pan. At $225, which is Bill's cost, the pan/filter is expensive. The engineer that placed cross members over the front and rear bolts of the pan should have to remove and install these pans until they beg for forgiveness. I don't have a close quarters 1/4" drive T40 swivel socket (anyone have a suggestion where I can fine one), but you can bet your life the next time I do this pan in 20k miles, I will. I did use my close quarters hex drive ratchet and a short T40 bit, but even that was a real chore with almost no room to maneuver.
The new fluid is HPL's LV cold climate trans fluid. The trans always shifts better after a spill and fill, this time is no exception. The shifts were becoming pretty stiff, with new fluid the shifts are much smoother.
The new fluid is HPL's LV cold climate trans fluid. The trans always shifts better after a spill and fill, this time is no exception. The shifts were becoming pretty stiff, with new fluid the shifts are much smoother.
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