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- Jul 11, 2014
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ZF 8 speed fluid change questions.
- Thread starter Frznrth
- Start date
I've seen in some places that the transmission itself has to to be completely level, but then other places (the ZF document or that video of ZF representatives) where there is no consideration of the levelness of the transmission.
Is this something that others have paid attention to?
Is this something that others have paid attention to?
Fundamentally, fluid level cannot be accurately measured if the unit is not level.
Makes sense. I've seen a picture of a green card of some kind saying how important it is, but the ZF procedure doesn't mention it. Is ZF trusting people too much?
Is the trans temp gauge accurate enough or would a scanner read temperature elsewhere that is more appropriate?
Any chance you’ve used the mityvac to pull fluid out through the full hole?
Was browsing some pan off pictures and I’m not sure if it’s possible.
Your pan does not have a drain plug?
It’s worth pulling the pan.
Also, I’m somewhat intrigued by this tool:
https://ctatools.com/products/7650
I have not, but my trans has a drain plug, so no need to.
It has a drain plug but it’s practically useless because of an exhaust crossover pipe. (PPE even says the exhaust needs to be at least loosened to install their pan) I’m thinking through future changes. I want to change the filter soon and I’m thinking of only keeping Lifeguard 8 in it until about 100,000 miles just in case of any “good will warranty” needs lol
Was planning on having a local guy that I use for stuff I don’t want to do handle the filter because of that exhaust mess (he’s also the only guy who’s given me any level of confidence in changing this pan). But if I could use a Mityvac or something similar to pull fluid out of the fill hole, I would do that myself a time or two to get a higher percentage of fresh fluid.
After 100k, maybe change over to HPL Green. But I’d want to get as much of it to be HPL as possible. So at that point it would be either evacuation or a PPE to make it reasonable. Rod Knock gave me some good tips for switching to the PPE pan.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I don't think the OP ever specified what engine he has in his 2014 Ram 1500 because that makes a big difference in the 8spd drain plug access. Pentastar powered has clear access to the transmission pan and drain plug. Each exhaust pipe runs down the length of the transmission and joins together beyond the trans. Hemi powered has a x-over pipe about an inch below the drain plug.
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I would stick with the ZF Lifeguard fluid. I’m personally not fully confident in some of testing being done by additive suppliers; I’ve been burned before, though not for this particular application.
I changed the pan/filter assembly and fluid in my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with this 8 speed trans last month. Had 199,000 miles on the clock. Drained the fluid and it was black and nasty as expected. Then swapped the pan/filter assembly using a Dorman pan to maintain a drain plug (the new OE pans deleted the drain plug). Filled with Valvoline Max Life ATF which specifically lists the ZF trans on the jug until it dripped out. Started the Jeep and cycled gears, then filled again with engine running. Took 5 quarts. Trans shifts like a dream at 200k. Will just do a drain and fill at 250k.
Was this the first trans fluid and filter change?
Agreed 100%. Honestly, it's sad this has to even be said.
To the best of my knowledge, yes. I am the second owner. I contacted the previous owner and also the dealership that did all the service for the previous owner and it sounded like the trans, t-case, and both axles had been neglected. So I did the service on all of those items myself when I got the Jeep.
Ouch. 200k is a long way for any auto trans to go on the factory fluid.
People's experiences with these particular ZF pans is needed.
CarbonSteel said his pan has replaceable filters. My friend's 2017 JGC does not.
RockAuto sells a pan which accepts filter replacements.
Are the ones from RockAuto the only ones which feature replaceable filters?
CarbonSteel said his pan has replaceable filters. My friend's 2017 JGC does not.
RockAuto sells a pan which accepts filter replacements.
Are the ones from RockAuto the only ones which feature replaceable filters?
To the extent of my knowledge:
The most recent iteration of the Mopar pan does NOT have a replaceable filter and does NOT have a fluid drain plug.
The Dorman pan DOES have both a replaceable filter and a fluid drain plug, which is why I bought that one. The price was the same, but I like that now in 50k miles I can do a drain and fill and not fool with dropping the pan since the filter will last a LONG time in these transmissions.
I haven't seen any other brands that sell the correct pan/filter assembly for these ZF 8 speeds and I'm not sure I'd trust any other brands even if they did.
See my ZF pan change and comments here:
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
My Jeep is the same as CS - but 2020 and it has the Mopar licensed 850RE. The steel pan has no drain plug + filter is separate …
I used ZF LG8 …
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