My first post here - I did some light reading via a search on transmissions. I have a 2008 Power Wagon 5.7 Automatic. 8000 km's (5000 miles)

On a highway drive home, about 100 miles into the 300 mile trip, when I would put the pedal to the floor to pass someone my RPM's would go too high for about 1 second, then they would drop as the transmission slammed into a lower gear with a huge bang that was loud and shook the truck. I tried to pass a couple more people and the problem became worse quickly.

Dealer has it, said they need to take the transmission apart.

The truck is stock, but I put it through its paces with my share of off roading in mud. I haven't towed much, but I don't hesitate to put the pedal to the floor when I pass someone.

Does this surprise you guys? If I continue driving the same way, are these transmissions built to handle what this truck was designed for?

As soon as I know more as to the failure, i'll post.

Any insight appreciated.
Thanks
YK

 

Funny, someone on here with a 08 ram was asking how to brake in his truck. Look at the replys. Like we just said, don't floor it all the time, but don't drive slow.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-ram-tech/170776-how-to-brake-in-a-truck.html

 

I've been within the manual's recommendations, although one of them surprised me, in the off road section of my manual it recommends rocking the truck back and forth from forward to reverse if you become stuck to try and gain momentum. Isn't THAT hard on the tranny?

 

I know exactly what you're talking about, Yellowknife. My '08 w/ the 4.7L has done the exact same thing to me a couple of times. It's done that when I've nailed the throttle, and when I've just rolled on it to pass someone. It doesn't seem to do it all the time, either. Sometimes it just downshifts & scoots, other times, it'll act like it's downshifting, rev like hell for a second, then bang into a lower gear. sometimes breaking the *** end loose in the process.

I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone has any real answers.

 

The other thing to note is that it only does this from crusing speed.

If I'm stopped, and I nail it, it will shift smoothly all the way from 1st to 5th to 100 MPH.

It's going from a higher gear to a lower one that revealed the problem.

My manual is in the truck at the dealer, is there an online PDF? I want to re-read a few sections.

 

Yep, you can download a PDF version @ www.dodge.com On the top right there is a link for owners. Click on it.

 

sweet, thanks! I couldn't find that on the Dodge Canada website.

 

Glad to help

 

Sorry to hear about your trouble. Keep us posted on what happens.

 

Mine does the same thing....