30,000 miles is just around the corner so I'm getting ready to change my tranny fluid along with all the other fluids. I have a few questions to hopefully avoid a second trip to the dealer. My questions are:
1: how much tranny fluid am I going to need to refill it after dropping the pan?
2: is the filter reuseable?
3: limited slip additive for the axles-do I need it?

Thanks in advance for all your help.
Bill

 

Can't help you on the 48Re questions, but you don't need any additives for the axles.

 

Your owners manual will have quantities listed for the 48RE. Be sure and review the proper fluid ratings as well. Dodge is very $$proud$$ of their fluids so you may wish to pursue some other options. There is a thread over on the 3rd gen performance area about 2 weeks old that discusses some options for the differentials, transfer cases, and manual transmissions.

100 Proof

 

All your going to get out of the pan is approx 3 qts. The rest is held in the Torque converter. Total system is approx 3 gallons.

You have 2 choices. Pay Dodge or some oil change place to flush the system. This ensures, in theory anyway, that all the fluid and gunk is cleaned out. Or, drop the pan and install a "Ball valve" pit ****. Then after you reisntall the pan and a new fliter, dump in 3 qts of fresh fluid and drive. Next day drain the pan with your new valve and repeat this process till you have swapped out 3 gallons.

Is it as efficient as paying DC? Nope. Does it work? IMHO, it's an excellent alternative. I've done it for years on the old 47RE's and in many miles of driving only ever had one fail. Usually got 175K out of an auto before a rebuild.

2 cents worth.

 

I just got done doing a service on my 2004 with 48re( filter change, adjust bands, and add fluid). It took me 7 quarts to get it back up to full. hope that helps



In the service manual it says to add enough fluid until it reaches min, then take it for a ride to get it up to operating temp. Then, you add fluid to get it to max.

Travis

 

I used nearly two gallons (7 quarts) when I changed the fluid & filter in my '00 Dodge 2500 CTD Quad Cab with 47RE. My fluid was nice and hot...warmed up from my 57 mile commute from work, so maybe that was why I drained more.
I originally thought about a transmission flush after my first fluid & filter change, but I changed a larger percentage of fluid than I thought I would and let it be.
If you do elect to flush it, I'd still go with a filter replacement the first time. I believe you'd be ok with just flushes subsequent times unless the transmission flushing machine shows an abnormally weird pressure reading.
Greg

 

Wonder why my 47re's used to just release 3 qts when I would drop the pan? THats interesting that you would get 7 out of yours.

 

Can't answer that for sure, but when I got the fluid & filter kit at a Dodge dealer, the parts salesman said all the techs always get a filter kit and two gallons and that has always been just about right. I wanted to make sure and have enough fluid due to the fact I was so far away....he was right.
Greg

 

mymaur did u check the level in park or in neutral?

 

Changed my 48re to amsoil synthetic about 1500 ago. I dropped the pan and put in exactly what I took out before checking fluid level I replaced 7.5 quarts of tranny fluid. It was in level barage and tranny was warm. Hopoe this helps. Rear end does not need limited slip additive either. Put transfluid in transfer case too.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like between the tranny and tranfer case I am going to need between 6-10 qts so I'll just pick up a case and get to it.

 

Flush it!!!Best way to go.Change filter at 60k.

 

My 2006 HD 2500 CTD 48RE 3.73 gears.

Fluid has additive for rear diff in it. At least the fluid purchased from Dodge Dealer.

 

When I had Dodge service my 2006 it took just under 7 Qt's of ATF to refill even though Dodge said it only takes 4 Qt's to refill after filter change.

 

Yes! you are correct about differential fluid. However, this ancient thread is about transmission fluid.