ZF 9 speed fluid change

[nieuport17]

Has anyone here tried to change the ATF on a zf 9 speed transmission? It could be on Chrysler, Jeep, Honda, or Ram.
I was reading some documentation on this, and they make it look like you need a rocket science degree to do this job.
Thanks in advance.

 

[SGKent]

The Acura MDX forums have a lot on the ZF9. It takes a special expensive fluid and procedure. You'll find some threads at acurazine or MDXForums.

 

[nieuport17]

The Acura MDX forums have a lot on the ZF9. It takes a special expensive fluid and procedure. You'll find some threads at acurazine or MDXForums.

Yeah I saw some of those threads.
The procedure is ridiculous.
I was just wonder if anyone here on GJ, or even at dealerships follow those procedures to the teeth.
I guess I have a hard time figuring out why it cant just be drain and pour.

 

[SGKent]

The problem appears to be quantity of fluid affects how the trans behaves. That requires getting the trans to a specific temperature and measuring the exact quantity that comes out then putting the exact same back in at the preset temp. Apparently infrared temp guns etc are not accurate enough, has to be an internal measurement that takes a special tool. There are also some bolts or something that have to be replaced and cannot be resused. When I was shopping MDXs my service underwriter for the last 20 years privately warned me to stay away from the ZF9 because of all the issues like this and others. Keeping the software up to date is important too and that is a dealer thing. IMHO our culture is chasing so many diminishing returns that we are bankrupting ourselves emotionally, spiritually, and financially trying to keep up with things like this.

 

[MattT]

Procedure doesn't look to be anything out of the ordinary for a late model sealed transmission. And a scan tool that read OEM PIDs was a special tool back when the red brick was king. Now it's pretty much required. Could probably do it with a $20 OBD-II bluetooth dongle and the right app.

Also found this for level checking on the ZF9. Much easier than the trannys where you have to use the level plug at a specific temperature.

https://gearsmagazine.com/magazine/948te-checking-fluid-levels/

 

[exmaxima1]

No matter the number of speeds, I would not buy another car with a ZF transmission. By 100K miles you will be needing big $$$ in repairs. The valve bodies are plastic, the fluids are astronomically expensive, and the clutches are temperamental. Steer clear of any model car with ZF if you plan to keep it more than a few years.

 

[rburke65]

Maybe I’ll stick with my 4 speed Muncie.

 

[Bretny]

ZF actualy makes good transmissions...they just never put them in cars. There equipment trannys are prety robust.

This is another reason why i will never buy a jeep, ram or anything chrysler had a hand in.

 

[rustyjames]

Yeah I saw some of those threads.
The procedure is ridiculous.
I was just wonder if anyone here on GJ, or even at dealerships follow those procedures to the teeth.
I guess I have a hard time figuring out why it cant just be drain and pour.

Exactly, mountain out of a mole hill. Drain the ******; capture the fluid and measure the amount captured, refill with the same amount. Rocket science.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

ZF actualy makes good transmissions...they just never put them in cars. There equipment trannys are prety robust.

Sure they did. Just off the top of my head, their manual transmissions were used in Maserati, Lotus, DeTomaso, Chevrolet, BMW, MB and a bunch of others for decades.

Tommy

 

[ard]

The ZF6 seems to be OK in terms of reliability, as long as you actually change the fluid at 60k intervals as zf recommends...

 

[CraigStu]

Exactly, mountain out of a mole hill. Drain the ******; capture the fluid and measure the amount captured, refill with the same amount. Rocket science.

Bingo! this is the answer. There are many auto trans out now that have no dipstick and most have a process to replace. Lexus had us connect the scan tool and read trans fluid temp. At about a 20 degree range we could check the fluid at a fill plug on the side of the trans. They were always a little low. So, on my 2011 Tacoma I followed rustyjames process and added an extra 3-4 ounces.

 

[kTHREE]

I was told there are two times to change your transmission fluid:
1. Regular 50k-80k intervals.
2. Right before you replace/overhaul it.

If you're at 100k+, leave it, probably doing more harm than good.

 

[nafterclifen]

I was told there are two times to change your transmission fluid:
1. Regular 50k-80k intervals.
2. Right before you replace/overhaul it.

If you're at 100k+, leave it, probably doing more harm than good.

I always thought the same thing. But I changed my trans fluid and filter (dropped the pan) on my 06 Tacoma with 122k using OE fluid and filter. I have 206k on it now and no issues. I'll probably going to change the fluid and filter again actually.

 

[kTHREE]

I always thought the same thing. But I changed my trans fluid and filter (dropped the pan) on my 06 Tacoma with 122k using OE fluid and filter. I have 206k on it now and no issues. I'll probably going to change the fluid and filter again actually.

I'm on the fence as well. If I know the vehicles history, I tend to lean towards changing it over the 100k mark with less concern.

 

[Jeepster04]

While it wasn't a ZF trans, I have changed the fluid in the NAG1 trans thats in the WK SRT8's. Just followed the factory service manual.

Grabbed a dip stick from a truck in a junk yard. Dropped the pan, measured the amount I took out and put the same amount back in. Went ahead and followed the procedure for actually measuring the level. Drove the Jeep around a bit and left it running in N. Taped a temp prob to the drop stick and put it down in the dip stick tube. The FSM had a graph that told you what the height of the fluid should be on the dipstick given the temp of the fluid. Measured how high the fluid was on the dipstick and all is well.

 

[Showkey]

While it wasn't a ZF trans, I have changed the fluid in the NAG1 trans thats in the WK SRT8's. Just followed the factory service manual.

Grabbed a dip stick from a truck in a junk yard. Dropped the pan, measured the amount I took out and put the same amount back in. Went ahead and followed the procedure for actually measuring the level. Drove the Jeep around a bit and left it running in N. Taped a temp prob to the drop stick and put it down in the dip stick tube. The FSM had a graph that told you what the height of the fluid should be on the dipstick given the temp of the fluid. Measured how high the fluid was on the dipstick and all is well.

Like the others mentions........there’s usually a work around some crazy factory procedure. Same with the MB NAG1, been there on a Sprinter