8 speed Durango transmission fluid replacement (Very Important to change it ASAP)

Feras360 · Sep 6, 2018

Hello
Im new here

I just purchased a used Durango R/T 2014 with 124000 kilometer (around 77500 mile)
and I check the service schedule and the dealer doesn't change the transmission fluid
and when I called the dealer they told me the oil is lifetime !!!!!

the car run normally but I noticed when I slow down the vehicle I feel the transmission shifts with some shakes

I got my self to mopar parts shop
and they told me you need 6 quarts of oil (25$ per quart Mopar 8&9 speed oil)
and the panel around (174$)

when I change the oil in my favorite workshop
they use only 5 quarts and told me its full

I saw the different youtube videos and they all not the same amount of quarts
somebody used 4 another one used 6 and there is a BMW use 8 quartrs !!!!!!

the oil was so fucked up
I forgot to take picture im sorry I will return to workshop and give you I photo to missed up panel

the previous owner is friend of mine and he drove normally all the time without any towing or overloaded weight
the weather is normally 38°C ( 100 ° F)

I drove my car last night and the shift shake almost gone

so from my experience do not trust the dealer especially when the warranty outdated

SteveMLS · Sep 6, 2018

Here is the procedure to refill the transmission after replacing the pan & filter.

View attachment 8HP70FluidChange.pdf

NumberThree · Sep 6, 2018

Thanks for the warning,Feras.
They hold 6 qts, but 1qt or so remains in the torque converter. From what I learned from youtubes, a drain/fill will require only 5 qts.
But a flush/fill will require 6qts. There is a youtube of a transmission service instructor. I forgot the guy's name, or youtube handle, but he is in a wheelchair. As I recall,he did not recommend flushing the converter, and to drain/fill it. The level-check is bizarre on the 8HP70 tranny! It's more formal than a royal wedding.

SteveMLS · Sep 6, 2018

I believe this is the one you are talking about.

NumberThree · Sep 8, 2018

SteveMLS said:
I believe this is the one you are talking about.

Yes, that's the guy, Steve! :thumbsup:
He also made one where he dissected this transmission. It's a complicated mess for sure.

tomk · Sep 6, 2018

Actually, the "empty fill" is almost 9 quarts. As #3 says, a lot stays in the converter and the plumbing.

Feras360 · Sep 8, 2018

thank you for respond and my car is better and smoother shifts
an i feel safe with doing the replacement

SteveMLS · Sep 8, 2018

I'm in the middle of this process now, but can't complete it until the half-shafts I ordered arrive, one has been on backorder for 6 weeks, Mopar says it should be next week.
I replaced the 3.09 differentials with the new 3.70's from the 2018 DSRT. After the diffs were in, I tried to install the rear half-shafts, but they would not go in all the way. So I looked them up and sure enough I had to order new ones, the front accepted the ones from the 3.09 without any problem.
I also replaced the plastic trans pan with the aluminum PPE pan which holds 2 extra quarts and the filter is replaceable. I have 10 quarts of ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8 standing by. While I was under there I also replaced the 2 quarts of ATF +4 in the transfer case.

TheCitadel · Sep 9, 2018

I will be replacing mine at 50 or 60K. At 40K now. Don't see why we can't use MaxLife though -- $25 a quart? Is it manufactured by Prada?

Feras360 · Sep 10, 2018

it an original Mopar fluid
the price of Mopar parts on Saudi Arabia is slightly lower than us in almost every part
the Dodge and Chrysler users in Saudi on growing
and we have a tax about 5% only started in Jan 2018

SteveMLS · Sep 9, 2018

ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8 is $25 per liter from www.germanautosupply.com.

PatentlyPhil · Sep 9, 2018

Steve - what do you plan on doing about transmission shift points and things with the 3.70’s? Where did you source axles/diffs?

SteveMLS · Sep 9, 2018

Phil, after I get it back together I'll log some data for Jay Greene, we were working on the Air/Fuel ratios before I pulled the trigger on the diff swap. The rear (68184732AB) I got from Rock Auto, the front (53010969AA) from Tasca Parts and the half shafts (4726090AC & 4726091AC) from OEMPartsQuick.com

PatentlyPhil · Sep 9, 2018

How much do you think you have into the final drive swap? Did you do loaded carriers, I assume?

MJB8 · Sep 9, 2018

Dam steve talk about all in. those 3.70's are going to set you back in the seats

SteveMLS · Sep 9, 2018

Phil, rear diff $1045 plus $37 for mounts, front diff $1065, half-shafts $700, replace single use nuts & bolts $125, total $2972.

MJB8, exactly what I'm going after.

Durango2017 · Nov 23, 2020

Hello everyone,
I have a 2017 Durango GT with 43k, I had it for about a month now and everything was great till this morning. I drove the car and when I tried to put it in park this message came up (service transmission set park brake to prevent rolling) and nothing worked, couldn’t put it in park not even the brakes! Had to put the emergency brake on and when I tried to turn off the car only the engine turned off and nothing else! I unplugged the battery and everything reset but as soon as I drove it again and tried to put it in park and the same thing happened again! Anyone know what might cause this? And how to fix it? Please HELP!!!! Thank you

Chase300 · Nov 23, 2020

So the shifter is moving to P but the trans isn't? You should be able to hear the parking pawl engage with your window down...a loud click when you move the shifter to P. If not then that is the problem..and could be a simple solenoid.

Durango2017 · Nov 23, 2020

Chase300, when I stop the car and park it, I turn the dial into P but as soon as I do that the”service transmission set park brake to prevent rolling” message comes on and once that happens you can’t turn the gear dial at all! Also the actual brake gets really hard and you can’t use ur brakes, you have to engage the parking brake or emergency brake so it won’t roll. Also I forgot the check engine comes on and the red brake light also comes on, on the dash. And P will start flashing on and off! And last I think is that you can’t turn the car off all the way. The only thing u can do to get it back to normal. And I definitely don’t hear it go into Park.

Chase300 · Nov 24, 2020

Beyond my payscale at this point....I recommend dealer or real good independent shop.
Did you spill something near the shifter?

Durango2017 · Nov 24, 2020

Well this is my gf car that I got for her so I wouldn’t put it past her but it doesn’t look like anything was spilled.

Don Fox · Nov 24, 2020

There have been a few reports of the switch or controller causing this problem. If the issue is internal to the trans, the remaining powertrain warranty should cover it. Otherwise, appeal to them for a goodwill repair. Can't hurt.

Don

Durango2017 · Nov 24, 2020

I’m 99.9 % sure it still has the factory warranty so it should cover it (I hope)! Also I got the extended warranty on it too, bumper to bumper so fingers crossed!! I just wanted to see if there have been more issue like this and if anyone knew what caused this. I don’t want to go to the dealership and have them try to feed me some BS that it’s owner fault or wear and tear and they won’t cover it!
But I just want to thank everyone that replied to my post and gave me any type of info which is all helpful! I appreciate you guys taking the time to reply! Happy to be apart of this forum!!!

Chase300 · Nov 25, 2020

Possibly...there are however several...at least 2 in the shifter area and then you have them inside the trans. I just haven't dug enough into the ZF 8-speeds yet..though I see more and more shops are gaining overhaul and upgrade experience with them as they are used by several car manufacturers today.
You seem so have several issues that make it hard to point to just one cause. I'd like to see what codes you have.

Don Fox · Nov 25, 2020

If you have warranty, then off to the dealer you go. Hopefully your service contract is the factory backed MVP plan. If so, there should be no problem. The 3rd party contracts are a crapshoot from the get go.

Don

Durango2017 · Nov 25, 2020

Don Fox said:
If you have warranty, then off to the dealer you go. Hopefully your service contract is the factory backed MVP plan. If so, there should be no problem. The 3rd party contracts are a crapshoot from the get go.

Don

Yea I’m pretty sure that when I bought the car it still had the factory window sticker and it had the factory warranty checked off. And I asked the sales guy and he said yes. And if there are any issues that auto dealership will have just met their worst nightmare!!!! Lol

Chase300 · Dec 10, 2020

That's great news...don't think I would have thought of replacing both batteries...if you have the receipt from the dealer, please let us know what the fuse P/N was and/or description of the part replaced please.
Might help someone else out.

Durango2017 · Dec 11, 2020

As soon as I get home today I will post the info. Thank you

8 speed Durango transmission fluid replacement (Very Important to change it ASAP)

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