bolo

I just bought a 2007 Ram 2500 with 140,000 miles. Without knowing what maintenance has been done to the tranny. Is it a bad idea to have it flushed out, or should I just change the fluid? I heard it was a bad idea to flush them with this many miles if it has never been serviced before. What all should I have done to prevent problems in the future?

boostjunkie1

replace fluid and filter.....does it shift good? If so then just fluid and filter. If the fluid is brown or burnt I would suggest a new TQ Converter and complete flush!

bolo

This is my first truck with an auto trans. It seems like it shifts fine, just a little underpowered until it shifts into overdrive. When it shifts into overdrive, it feels like it has all kinds of power. I did notice that when I put the pedal down about 3/4 of the way it downshifts and instantly redlines around the 3500 rpm range. I immediately backed out of it because i don't know if it is normal or not.

HMX-1

Whoa, that's not good.

Drain the fluid and see what it looks/smells like. This could be something some maintenance can fix. If the fluid is fine, have the belts tighten in the tranny and see what happens. If this doesn't fix it, then there is a high chance the TC is headed south.


Kris

megacabdad

There's belts in a 48RE?

05HDRAM

Most places use an "exchange" machine, not technically a flush. It uses the stock pump to pull in new fluid and push out the old. I see no danger in doing an exchange on tranny fluid.

With the tranny having that many miles, you may want to have a good shop take a look at it. Could be minor or the beginning of bigger problems. My truck drops down when I step on it, but it does not act the way you describe. I had a '99 gasser with a 47RE that started slipping. That was due to overheating the fluid - changed it and all was good.

eastmentCTD600

1. change the fluid and filter (dropping the pan typically takes 6 - 8 qts of ATF+4). I've used Valvoline for the last three changes.

2. Find some neodymium magnets like these http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...Id=41272416993 at Ace Hardware and place them around the stock magnet in your pan inside.

3. I've placed several of these magnets in the pan (assuming yours is stock steel not aftermarket cast-aluminum). I've had 5 or 6 of these magnets stuck to my tranny pan since my 1st change at 15k (90k now). Every time I drop the pan these little guys are covered in stuff they've pulled out of the fluid. There is an OEM magnet in the pan but its weak, the neodymium magnets are ridiculous strong.

4. Perform a band adjustment per instructions on this site, you can find the instructions by performing a search or (PM me for the OEM manual instructions)

5. drive about 5k and perform another fluid and filter swap, clean the magnets and pan.

If new fluid and filter + band adjustment don't help it's probably time to look at other areas of the tranny, possibly a rebuild.

eastmentCTD600

...by the way, you get 8 or 10 of these little guys for $5, I also use them for making my own magnetic drain plugs. They're about 1/4" in diameter so all you have to do is drill a ~.200" deep hole in you drain plugs at 1/4" dia. and epoxy the 'lil magnet in place (you probably don't even need the epoxy because the magnets are really strong, but I do for insurance).

I've done this to every drain plug in every vehicle I own (truck, cars, tractor, dirt bikes). It works way better than any aftermarket magnetic drain plug, the ones you can buy are weak!

Good luck!

PolisHammer

Funny that you mentioned magnets, I have bunch of them stuck on the oil filter and the transmission pan. You do not even have to put them inside as they are strong enough to attract the junk through the case, but if you have the transmission pan down then it is good idea to place them in.

CamperAndy

He meant "bands"

Mr Bee

I was told by Dave Goerend "Don't ever have your transmission flushed" change the fluid and filters on a regular basis. Flushing causes all kinds of issues moving debris places it should not be.
He has a Guru on transmissions, I will just take his word for it

wantabe351

The trans flush machine operates from the pressure line on the trans cooler,the trans does all the work,the machine makes a even exchange of fluid (old used for freash new fluid) were I use to work we used the wagner system-pour a cleaner/condioner in and run in gear or neutral for 10 mjnutes the start the flush exchange- worked well,never could get all the old fluid out when changing the filter from the pan drop method..some times I would drop the VB down about 1/4" to get a little extra out...........

DBLR

I can see using the fluid exchange type and not the high pressure flush type I saw used years ago, but based on advice from several re-builders no way would I use or let someone put some type of cleaner in my trans. As for the bands they only get adjusted once between 30-50K and are then never touched again.