NEED QUICK ADVICE Please - Transmission fluid level checking.

[Cbty2050]

Here is the actual pages from the service manual. This should put it to rest. "Level hoist" = level frame.

100%. We don't need those fancy BMW tools either.

 

[Andymax]

FWIW, I sent both the service doc and the "green" picture, which are the instructions for a new ZF tranny that you might order from your dealer. I asked ZF if they would clarify the difference between the two docs. My current working theory is that new transmission installations may require more fluid at first, which would in fact happen if the tranny itself was level vs. the vehicle being level. We'll see if they respond. I'm still just trying to figure it out.

 

[popcenator]

FWIW, I sent both the service doc and the "green" picture, which are the instructions for a new ZF tranny that you might order from your dealer. I asked ZF if they would clarify the difference between the two docs. My current working theory is that new transmission installations may require more fluid at first, which would in fact happen if the tranny itself was level vs. the vehicle being level. We'll see if they respond. I'm still just trying to figure it out.

Did you ever hear back?

 

[popcenator]

I also emailed and got this response from ZF who stated you do not need to level the transmission.

 

[Spanish Cobra]

So this right here is exactly the problem. some say level the transmission, some say level the vehicle. Even ZF documents say two different things. This is so frustrating.

 

[Big3MG]

For what it’s worth, I drained my transmission (2020 RAM 1500 with 8HP75 ZF transmission), replaced pan, ran thru the full procedures, raised rear wheels sufficiently to ‘mostly’ level the transmission pan gasket mounting surface (rails). The bubble on my level still showed I needed to raise the rear wheels up another couple inches but I reached the height of my floor jack. After the fill procedure was followed, I measured the fluid that was drained: 6.3 liters. I installed 6.7 liters so I was 400 mL over what was removed.

 

[Jako]

Here is the actual pages from the service manual. This should put it to rest. "Level hoist" = level frame.

Compare the bolt sequence from the second document to the ZF sequence!

 

[Cbty2050]

Compare the bolt sequence from the second document to the ZF sequence!

Sam procedure, just starting at a different point. It's a non issue.

 

[Jetman4]

here’s my 2 cents worth of crazy thinking. FYI, my truck is a 2021 1500 limited 4wd. On a level surface, stock trucks have almost a 2” fwd rake/stance. Put your level on the frame and you’ll see it’s not level. If you take your truck to a dealership for this work, I’m assuming it’s going on a lift which will cause the truck frame to be level. So now we have three positions really to work with. One is for the transmission to be level, two is to level the truck via the frame, and three is performing work on level surface which would be factory fwd rake.
The way I did mine was to mimic the stock fwd rake. With truck on level surface, use a level on the frame rail to determine rake. I then drive truck up on ramps, mine are 6” high. Then lift rear of vehicle from rear diff to that same position of fwd rake that you checked with your level. The rear wheels are now off the ground to run through 1st and 2nd gear for later procedure. Note: if you have 4wd, make sure it’s in 2wd only! You don’t want to drive off ramps!