I have got a couple of different opinions on this subject. My recently purchased 02 Durango with 72K on it I don't really know the service history. I want to service the transmission - it is working fine right now but I want it to last. I spoke with 2 Dodge Dealers and 1 Trany shop and got the following opinions/options:

Dodge Dealer #1: Flush the transmission and then drop the pan and clean it and change all filters then refill. $275-300.

Dodge Delaer #2: Drop the pan and change the filters and replace the lost fluid. $150.

Trany Shop: Drop the pan and change the filters and replace the lost fluid. Check and Adjust bands. $100.

All agree to only use ATF 4+. So we are consistent that way. I am not a big fan of dealer 2 I don't really know dealer 1. I have heard that on older vehicles flushing can be very bad - especially if you don't change the filters after. Not sure what to do here - what do you think?

 

I went with the drop and replace filters and gasket + 7quarts of mopar(best for our Ds) atf+4. It's pretty easy to do but if you don't have the space, I'd go with the tranny shop. I have a 4.7 so no bands to be adjusted, all electronic.

 

being that you have an 02 i am assuming that you have the 4.7l V8 in there, that transmission does NOT HAVE BANDS, i wouldnt use this tranny shop as they should have known this.

now the flush is a bad idea on older vehicles and can cause more problems than it helps so just drop the pan, change the fluid/filter and replace the lost fluid

 

That is kind of what I thought bad idea at 72K to do a flush. FYI the Tranny Shop did know that there was no bands that was my screw up. I spoke to them again today the guy indicated that was a different tranny design than the Dodge/Chrysler Trannys of the past - said it was more like a Toyota tranny. No bands to adjust just drop the pan and change the filters. He stocks plenty of ATF +4 fluid (Dodge/Jeep is pretty popular around here) and he checked to make sure he had the correct kit for the filter change. He has been doing Trannys since 1983. He said that we needed to keep that Tranny in good shape because they were more expensive to rebuild than the typical Dodge Tranny.

So going with drop pan change filters and reassemble. I am going to have him drain and refill the transfer case while he is under there too. I think that takes ATF +4 too. Thanks for the input

 

I think the t-case uses different fluid? Anyone care to comfirm or disagree?

 

yes the t-case uses ATF +4 also afaik

 

It is ATF+4 in the T-case.


What motor or transmission do you have twhman?

 

I hope I can keep the 45RFE healthy.

 

I stand corrected. Thanks you, gentlemen!

 

You have 2 filters (one flat and one small twist on) and you need at least 6qts of ATF+4 fluid. There is no band adjustments on that trans. Just do a fluid filters change!