When changing tranny fluid in 2003 hemi ram will pretty much all of the fluid be in the pan or is there still some in the torque converter? And if there is, is there a way to get it out? Thanks. And how is the filter held in place?

 

I know some torque converters have a plug you can pull to drain them. Have to turn the transmission so the plug is facing down then drain it. A chiltons repair manual will be really helpful in your case.

 

Best solution is to find a shop with an appropriate flush machine -- they break into a trans cooler line, and start pumping in fresh fluid and drawing out the old. If done properly, they will run enough fluid through to get clean trans fluid coming back in the return. This ensures that, as much as possible of the entire trans and torque converter is cleaned.

Israel

 

If you go that route you wont be able to change the filter. Just drop the pan, swap the filter and put in new fluid. If you have more than 50k miles on the truck and you have never done it I would be hesitant to do it. The shop I worked in wouldnt do them over 50k if it was never done before sometimes the tranny will never shift again, happened to us a few times before we finally decided to not do them anymore.

 

The shop I work with drops the pan and changes the filter first, then inject the clean fluid with the flush machine. Need to make sure that all-important magnet is cleaned of all the loose bits as well.

I agree with the hesatancy on "older" trans with high miles on their first change. Sometimes, it's best just to leave it all alone.

Israel

 

It is sufficient to only change the fluid in the pan (unless it is burnt, at which time you probably have other issues, too). Do it fairly frequently and there will be little "old" left after a few changes.

Now, to facilitate changing the fluid oneself and making it MUCH easier (in itself upping the chances of more frequent changes), either get the aftermarket pan with the drain plug or add a plug to your stock pan (available from most parts stores for 2 or 3 bucks, last I bought).

Also, if you are going to do much work yourself, get the factory Shop Manual from: hemitruckclub.com

All the best and Happy Holidays!

 

Thanks for the replies, I have 31,700 miles and I'm going with dropping the pan, changing the filter and refilling with atf+4. I'm also pulling off rear diff. cover this time to clean it out. At 15,000 miles I just pumped the front and rear diff. out and replaced. Did I read on here to spray out gears with carb cleaner? Thanks for info.

 

I have a 2003 Hemi QC short box with about 58000 mls on the clock.
I bought it as "used" recently and don't know the trucks history as it was imported from the good ol' US of A into the UK.
I was going to do the "full Monty" in changing all the lubes/filters and plugs etc and give the truck a real once over.
However, reading the above has really shaken me, in regards to changing my tranny fluid/filters.
My fluid is nice and clean looking without the "burnt" smell indicative of trany problems.
Do I now, just run the thing without changing the tranny fluid or, bite the bullet and chance it, hoping that previous owners have regularly changed it and I might not get a problem associated with the change.
Dilema or what............[sm=confused06.gif]
Cheers for any feedback.
Al.

PS Happy CHRISTMAS to all.

Sorry it's in upper case but the PC brigade here in the UK want us to call CHRISTMAS "winter holidays".............[sm=badidea.gif]

 

Change it.

If you had burnt fluid or other indicators of neglect, that could be cause for concern.

 

I think there is a slight comms problem.

My fluid doesn't smell burnt and I don't have any real reason other than I don't know the trucks history, to suspect neglect.
However, I was thinking because I don't know when the truck was last serviced that it might be a good Idea to do it all.
Pugs/filters/fluids etc.
The posting about changing trany oil in auto's that haven't had a change and then when they've had one done, had problems arise, got me to thinking is this such a good Idea for me to do to my truck?

Hmmmmmm[sm=confused06.gif]

Al.