1995 Dodge Ram Transmission

[JWilson]

I'm afraid that is all that needs to be said, but thought I would throw it out here and see what you guys think.

My daily driver is a Ram 1500, 318/automatic, with 165,000 miles. The truck has been basically trouble free in the almost 8 years that I have owned it, but I have always heard bad things about the transmission, which I have had flushed twice, the last time about 18 months ago. A couple of days ago, it picked up a vibration, that I can only compare to a washboard feeling. It does this only under load, in overdrive, the tach doesn't make any drastic moves up or down, and the vibration will go away with either letting off, or pushing further, on the accelerator. Checked the fluid level today, added a quart, no difference.

Anyone seen anything like this before?

[tumper93]

Sounds like the torque converter to me, but I cannot see it in person. With that amount of miles I would replace the whole thing not just the converter.

[69TAPoser]

Just FWIW, I discussed "flushing the tranny" with a very reutable shop that is dedicated to transmission repair here in Southern, NH called Transmedic. I think the name is a chain, but the family owned shop has been in the tranny business a long time so I typically listen to what they say.

They showed me a cutaway of a modern transmission and how the valves are designed. The tolerenances are pretty incredible. Because of this, they DO NOT recommend tranny flushes as they force fluid AND PARTICLES through the system and potentially into the valves. They recommend draining the transmission, adding new oil, then draining again to flush. So basically a "gravity flush" vs. a "forced flush" that most oil change shops will try to sell you.

Not sure which flush method you had done, but I thought I would share what I was told.

Btw, I also had a '95 RAM 1500, Sport Shortbed with a 5 speed that I sold just at 100k miles back in '99. No issues either, but it started to drive like it had 100K on it (lot of rattles).

Phil

[tumper93]

The trans flushing machine we have doesn't FORCE fluid at all! It works by putting the machine in series at the cooler inlet line, as the fluid is entiring the machine it pumps the same amount, at the same pressure back into the cooler. It is actually a fluid exchanger not flusher, I think the name is what is misleading people. We had a Wynn's at one time and now a MOC one and the both did the same thing and even looked the same...just different markings.

[JEFFTATE]

Make sure to use ATF+4 !
Do not use ATF+3 or a store brand. ATF+4 is expensive and I tried ATF+3 in an aftermarket brand once. The torque converter shuddered and the trans shifted terribly. I change back to Genuine Chrysler Corp. ATF+4 and the shudder went away. The trans shifted more firmly also.