just saw this on DTT webpage form... has to do with the 48RE trans as noted below: see link for complete article.. ..

......To put it simply, there is not enough oil to lubricate the thrust washer that separates the rear planetary gear and the rear annulus gear. .......

http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=51

** anyone have any comments...

 

Read it when it first came out. I've got 30K on now and so far, everything is good.

After reading 3 different Dodge sites, I have seen very few 48RE problems.

Certainly a whole lot better than the 47RE!

 

Mine was showing signs of wear at 960 miles when we went through the tranny at DTT's shop. If your going to leave the truck stock then I wouldn't sweat it because the warranty is 100k for drivetrain (atleast mine was).

 

I'm not going to argue with this guys opinion because it sounds like he knows his stuff, but really.. I personally don't feel like the 48re is a great transmission by any means (in fact I hate it), but surely to god it is not certain to fail by approx. 50k miles. There are many, many trucks out there with a 48re and well over 50k miles. To suggest that the designers did this on purpose, making it to where basically every truck will need the 48 re tranny repaired at least 1 time under warranty is far fetched at best. That seems like it would be a nightmare for DC. I'm not buying it, simply because what he is claiming will happen is not happening to the best of my knowledge. I have to assume he is trying to drum up some business. Just my .02.

 

coolslice,

If you knew Bill you would know the last comment is way out of line. He helps about anyone who asks for help wether or not they have his tranny, a stocker, or another brand. He has even helped DC with issues such as this and many others. If DC has done anything about it I dont know. Starving a bearing/washer of fluid is going to lead to failure. Different driving habits might change the time frame that it happens but if Bill says it's gonna fail I would bet on it happening.

Nathan

 

You have to admit that it IS somewhat of a ridiculous statement to suggest that the part is designed to fail, especially if they're all failing at 50k. DC would lose huge amounts of money if they made it fail too early.

 

What does C. Bayles say about this Design to Fail article. He's an engineer on the 48re tranny and frequents TDR.

Pete

 

More than a few of us would like to know why a part that had almost no issues gets changed. I doubt it will be answered.

 

Well,this post has gotten my attention. Since we live in a very litigous nation, what if this individual were get a class action type of attorney and drive this home for the thousands of us being defrauded by DC. He would certainly get a nice chunk for his researh and analysis. Reading his post, and it does sound very convincing, it would appear that if it is without a doubt a proven arguement indicating a true design flaw (by intention mind you) that we would be repaired even outside the warranty, or even a recall. I don't know what to make of this, but I suspect something would of popped if thousands starting lining up at a dealer. I know that there are people putting up some serious milage on these rigs and word would be out. I just don't know how to really take this.

 

No disrespect to Bill intended. I don't have any idea who he is or how helpful he may be. I just find his opinion a bit on the strange side. I do know that there are several tranny experts on this and other forums. I know they have researched, rebuilt, and studied the 48re. None of which have mentioned this alleged problem yet. I'm not so much disagreeing w/ Bill as much as I am trying see some truth to his strong claims. I would just think if it were completely true, we would know this by now as the 48re has been out for a while.. Just my opinion, no offense to anybody.

 

Nathan,

How many horses were you putting down when this happened?

 

Bob,

My truck was stock until the tranny was done. Then I put a TST on it and blew my turbo while we were testing the tranny . Bill showed me the washer when we went through the tranny and explained the problem. I replaced the shafts and 3rd gear drum in mine so if we take it apart when I go back up I'll have a look see at it this time to see if the wear has progressed.

Nathan

 

Nathan,

Let me know what it looks like. Mine stock is holding up good, however when I get the Juice back, it blows through the TQ on 5x5. RPM just stay at 2800 to 3000 under WOT! I know that Piers has been abusing the heck out of his, what he at 500 HP or so? And his is still stock!

Of course, I don't abuse it like you guys do.

 

It very well could be a flaw, but everyone repeat after me:

I will not give in to the conspiracy theorists!
I will not give in to the conspiracy theorists!
I will not give in to the conspiracy theorists!
I will not give in to the conspiracy theorists!

There, now don't we all feel better?