Learn me the dreaded auto trans (on a Dodge truck): Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 16, 2012 6:52 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

My father has tasked me with selling his virtually cherry '97 Ram 1500 and trying to find him a nicer used BMW 7-series. The truck shifts great and everything, it does make a slight noise when going into overdrive, which I would like to figure out. I don't know when the transmission fluid was last changed, so I figure it would be a good idea (and a selling point) to upgrade it to some Mopar ATF+4 and change the filter. Now I've never messed with one of these here automatic transmissions...I've only owned two automatics in the 2-3 dozen cars I've owned. I've heard all kinds of stuff about dropping the pan and changing the filter, which seems like an easy enough job, but I've also heard people recommend adjusting belts and cleaning governor solenoids and hoo-hah...what?

I did the clutch on my RX-7 by myself on jackstands, so I'm not afraid to do a little work, I just don't know what I'm looking for or what to expect.

I should add that most of the Ram guys say the Lucas trans fix does not have a good reputation with these automatics.
Jan. 16, 2012 8:23 p.m. integraguy SuperDork

I've never done this, the last car I had with automatic was "serviced" by AMMCO, but...nowadays the idea is NOT to drop the pan and change the filter and let it go at that. It's pretty much known by now that a "shadetree mechanic" cannot remove an appreciable amount of the "old" transmission fluid when a pan is dropped to do any good. Therefore, I'd call someone who can do a transmission fluid flush and find out how much they would charge to flush and re-fill your truck's transmission and to change the associated filter. If you do NOT want to pay what they will charge, then figure that into your asking price.

I haven't owned a truck in awhile and the last one I had had a manual transmission, but if your truck is making a "slight" noise when you shift into overdrive when unloaded, I would think that might make it harder to sell at a decent price. The bitch is that doing the above service may not change the noise. So better yet is to have someone who is knowledgeable on Dodge transmissions at least listen to it.
Jan. 16, 2012 8:46 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

All the Ram guys claim that flushing it is generally a bad idea, weirdly enough. Remember, Dodge transmissions are made of glass.
Jan. 16, 2012 9:40 p.m. ValuePack Dork

These seem to be ok transmissions(ok, not good), as with most automatics, when serviced regularly with quality fluid and filters. Longevity is helped a bit with an aftermarket trans cooler and by removing the OE rubber check ball and spring from the return line off the rad. If I remember correctly, these also still had adjustable bands... proper adjustment would seem critical to long life.

Hopefully Curtis will jump in for additional info.
Jan. 16, 2012 9:47 p.m. Gearheadotaku SuperDork

Yes, band adjustment may help, along with the checkball mod. Poke around a Dodge forum for better details. You will have to drop the pan to adjust the bands.
Jan. 16, 2012 10:29 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

I should add that the sound is kind of a high-pitched "whirring" noise, almost like a belt slipping but quieter. I am thinking the bands may need to be adjusted.
Jan. 17, 2012 7:59 a.m. Ranger50 Dork

Flushing is a very bad idea. You can cause damage by getting rid of what is keeping it working.

As far as the noise, I would suspect the planets in the OD unit are causing the noise. They are a separate part outside of the other 3 forward and reverse gears.