2003 3500 ram trans problem IDEAS????
 

2003 ram cummins auto trans. Lost 2nd gear!! shifts ruff. truck wont go into park now!! First thought trans. fluid and filter (116,000 miles on the stock one, ITS NOT MY TRUCK!!) dropped the trans pan, fluid its like the color of oil, and A "BRACKET" in the pan ---> 3 3/4 in long, 3/4 in wide , two holes, a slot on each end!!! ANY IDEAS??? Hope I can fix this myself!!! We work for Chrysler funds are NOT THERE!!! Thanks guys, Pat

Sounds like the front band apply link. You will need to drop the VB to check but possible you can repair, if the band is bad or damaged the trans has to come out.

What big white says.....but fluid color is telling me that band is fried and you'll be pulling the unit for a OH. Pee poor maintenance just bit your buddies B-hind.

BTDT on quite a few rides over the years. Simple band adjustment would have saved alot of $$ and grief.

The assessment is correct, but the problem has nothing to do with poor maintenance. The bracket failure is endemic with that particular transmission series.

The best bet is to find the funds for a rebuild by a competent, read that non-Chrysler, shop.

....and I would bet the "bracket" is not failed, but merely "fell out". He already stated the pan basically hadn't been off in 116k and that tells me that there is a very high probability that the kickdown band was never checked, even though it's external to the trans and only takes a couple minutes to perform. I'm also betting the "lost" second gear could actually be achieved IF you brought the rpms up and let off the accel. Only strut band issues I've EVER encountered were on aftermarket transmisions (valve body kits, higher ratio kickdown lever) that had increased leverage and apply pressures that found the "weak" link. I went cheap on one of my race 727's and learned this the hard way. Even my "dealer tech" built 47re has the heavy duty strut after that debacle.