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'02 Tranny maintenance questions
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Author:  psinsyd [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  '02 Tranny maintenance questions
Hey everyone,

Sorry if this topic's been beaten to death. Just a couple of questions on doing tranny fluid maintenance and swapping the tranny filter on my '02 Renny with factory skids.

- I've read here that I need ATF+4 fluid. How many quarts?
- How tough is this for one person to do? (changing fluid and filter)
- Any easy way to tell which trans model my Renny has?
- Does the pan need to be sealed before reinstalling?

-The stealership wanted $129 just for this, but I think it's something I may be able to pull off in the garage.

As always, thanks everyone for any help!

8)
Author:  dkcase [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I found this that I had posted at JU back in '04.

Has yours ever been serviced previously ?

The ATF+4 is available now at auto parts stores. The only brand I've seen so far is Valvoline. Valvoline is one of the four suppliers Mopar has had from the beginning.

I haven't dropped the pan again yet. I drain the pan with a vacuum extractor... removes about 2 1/2 quarts at each oil change.

Old text follows :




Serviced the Auto Trans

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'02 Sport. I finally got around to changing the trans fluid. Just passed out of warranty at 36,000 miles. It was bought used at 13,900. Pretty certain this is the first service. There wouldn't have been any for the previous owner unless they opened it up for a problem.

I think this is a good service interval.

1. Very little wear products inside. There is one magnet. It was lightly coated with gray paste, as was the pan; no metal shavings.

2. The pan bolts are small. I'll bet they break sometimes. They were snug enough that it took a little persuasion to snap loose. Not a lot -- 5/16 socket, 1/4 drive breaker bar. It should be a metric size I think, but it was smaller than my smallest metric socket. 5/16 was a good, firm fit.

I made sure to coat them with anti-seize going back in.

3. Then, the single screw holding the filter was a Torx socket.

4. I replaced both filters. In addition to the customary filter, it has a cooler return filter. THis is like a small screw-on engine oil filter. It's not recommended to change until 90,000 I think. But I replaced it. May not touch it again for a long time, but in case there were break-in pieces in there, I had planned to change it.

5. The service refill capacity in the Service Manual is 5 quarts / 10 pints. Nevertheless, it only took 4 quarts -- one gallon bottle -- to refill to the cold full mark. Idling in Park. I will check it again soon.

6. The ATF-4 STINKS. Smells bad, almost like an axle lube. The old fluid looked good, but with that smell I questioned its condition. Don't worry. The new fluid smells terrible. Due to bumping the pan as I was lowering it down over my head, and having it splash onto my face, neck, and shoulder, I can also report it tastes terrible too.

I ultimately put in a couple more quarts of fluid over the next couple days.
Also, my '02 has the 45RFE transmission. Yours is a different model, I believe. After '02, they changed to a 42xxx model--a lighter duty trans. Not sure about the model for the '05.

I used a gasket. If I didn't have one, I would use Permatex's The Right Stuff RTV.
Author:  psinsyd [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks a ton for that input! So the capacity is only @ 6-7 quarts max? I thought it would be higher than that.

So, it sounds pretty straightforward. Just need fluid, gasket, and filters, right? Correct me if I'm wrong at any point here! It happens pretty often!

Is it easy enough to get at under jackstands? Don't quite have a big enough garage for a lift!

Again, thanks for all of your help!

:D
Author:  dkcase [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Total capacity of the trans is 14 quarts I think, but by dropping the pan it doesn't get it all out. Much is caught in the torque converter and other passages of the trans.

If you are replacing it at a reasonable mileage interval, dropping the pan and replacing what you can should be good enough, and will be more than most people do.

When refilling, put back in enough fluid to get it on the dipstick, and "sneak-up" on the full level, so it's not overfilled. My '02 says check it idling in Neutral. Run it through the gears after you add some.

Jackstands or ramps will be fine.

The worst part is the hassle of cleaning off the RTV, in my opinion.

I may have some pictures I can find, if so I'll try to link to them. But they may be only of the filter, if indeed there are any.
Author:  psinsyd [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks a ton for all of your help, dkcase! If ya got the time, the pics would be great! Again, thanks for taking the time out to help. I really appreciate it!

:D
Author:  dkcase [ Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just have a picture of the removed filters. Stock Chrysler.
Image

and the small one disassembled:

Image
Author:  AdamIsAdam [ Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
For about $125 or so, you can have the fluid changed and power flushed. When they do this, they push all the fluid out by hooking up their pump in-line to the tranny cooler lines. They run it like this, as an in-line filter/pump. Old fluid goes in, new fluid goes out of the pump and into the KJ. When they're done, you've got 14 new quarts!

You can have this done with or without the filter change. I've started doing this now once a year and after any deep water crossings if the fluid seems at all washed out.

Aamco was doing lifetime deal on this, but not on 4x4!!! ARGH! Same damned tranny as in the other DCX's!

Anyway, trannies today, ESPECIALLY DCX models, are extremely sensitive to foreign matter in them. My old Benz warned of even checking the fluid with a rag that may shed lint. LINT! REALLY! And the manual basically said, "YES, LINT! WE'RE NOT KIDDING!"

Anyway, some jobs are worth saving a few bucks. Some, where the cost of messing it up is high, just aren't. I think this is one of them. (Plus, I hate doing tranny work on my back on my nice, painted garage floor!)
Author:  KJ_Dave [ Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another thing if you have it flushed, check to see if they use a conditioner in the flush process. It removes the tarnish and any buildup in there. I had that done to my 03 dakota and it really helped. Many srealerships are starting to do this now.
Author:  JJsTJ [ Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Automatic Transmission, 45RFE Initial Fill..........5.0 quarts
Total fill, 45RFE..........14.0 quarts

AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid is completely compatible with other synthetic and petroleum automatic transmission fluids. AMSOIL ATF is a universal, multi-functional fluid that greatly reduces the need for specialized fluid inventories and the possibilities of misapplication. AMSOIL ATF is recommended for transmission, hydraulic and other applications requiring any of the following specifications:

GM DEXRON® II & III
Ford MERCON®, MERCON® V
Chrysler ATF+ through ATF+4®
Honda Z-1 (Not for use in CVT transmissions)
Toyota Type T and T-IV
Mitsubishi/Hyundai Diamond SP II & III
Allison C-3, C-4
Caterpillar TO-2
Voith G607, G1363
ZF TE-ML 14A, 14B & 14C
Mercedes Benz 236.1, 236.2, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9
BMW 7045E
JWS 3309
Vickers I-286S & M-2950S
LT 71141 (ESSO)
Nissan Matic D

Man I wish I had the 45RFE Trans!
Author:  psinsyd [ Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the help everyone! I'm planning on tackling this on Saturday, along with the oil change and the clean/"recharge" of my K&N filter.

Couldn't have even thought of attempting this without everyone's help! It seems really straightforward now.

Thanks again!

:D
Author:  psinsyd [ Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
AdamIsAdam wrote:
Anyway, trannies today, ESPECIALLY DCX models, are extremely sensitive to foreign matter in them. My old Benz warned of even checking the fluid with a rag that may shed lint. LINT! REALLY! And the manual basically said, "YES, LINT! WE'RE NOT KIDDING!"

Anyway, some jobs are worth saving a few bucks. Some, where the cost of messing it up is high, just aren't. I think this is one of them. (Plus, I hate doing tranny work on my back on my nice, painted garage floor!)


LOL@ the lint deal. Ya know, in order for them to put that in, you KNOW it had to happen to someone at some time! I almost wonder if some mechanic left a rag in there sometime or another. That sounds like a bad day!

Thanks for the help Adam!!
Author:  cowpie [ Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
JJsKJ wrote:
AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid[/url] is completely compatible with other synthetic and petroleum automatic transmission fluids.



Compatible, but it WILL leak. My 45rfe was fine until i replaced the filter and pan. There is no leak on the pan, but the synthetic fluid finds its way past all the other seals. My rear transmission seal around the slip yoke is leaking. As are two of the electronic sensor / controllor connections.
It developed 3 leaks within 12 hours of changing the fluid. Only 5 qts of amsoil to be exact.

Next time, i will go to the dealer for a flush and a factory fluid fill.
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