Ihave an 03 3500 with auto trans. i have read lots of posts on what to do with our trucks to protect the transmissions.trouble is every time i take it for a transmission service they say no band adjustment needed and changing out the solenoids is a waste of money (they work or they dont i'm told)I have over 400000 HARD miles 99% pulling heavy(8000#+)trailers all climates all elevations. Its always seemed to run fine .Noticed a vibration start last week when in passing gear from 3000 rpm to 3100 rpm which is where it shifts under heavy load. Of course that symptom disappeared last night after making an appointment for today to see tranny tech. Might be a dodge vitamin (i mean u-joint)going south. Any way is it possible to have a perfect trans with all this abuse or are the tranny techs just hoping fora melt down down to give them more profitable work.

 

400,000 hard towing miles and still have a perfect stock transmission? I never say impossible. Just about the time I think something is impossible, I see it. But certainly doubtful from any maker.

I would take it to a different shop and get a different opinion.

 

Well brother... I got 240000 on my 48RE and other than going into it at 130000 to freshen up the clutch packs, I've done nothing but routine maintenance...and it's fine so far...
I think these transmissions have issues when people start jacking up the power into them and/or lack of proper maint.
After all, it works or it don't...

 

They make the bands adjustable for a reason.
That is, to check on the wear it has given up. Do a check on it when the pan is down.
A simple way is to pull the lever down on the front band to see how far it moves. If it moves more than 3/8 on an inch, adjust it. 1/4 to 5/16 is about right.

 

going now to pick it up at tranny shop we'll see if bands needed adjusting but to date they have never. They are telling me the tranny will let me no with bad shifts if bands are loose and that they are thin and would not last long if i Kept going. I'm with cdennyb when it comes to mods mine is bone stock as well as my 95 & 96 both autos both over 400000 miles both no issues but my friend who works doing same as me has melted 2 in as many months on his 96 now he pulls trailers that are over his cgwr. thats why i bought a 3rd gen for the bigger loads i never would have otherwise . I love the 12 valves cant hear all the chasis problems till they break less stress on me when driving (what i dont no wont hurt me)

 

I think a lot has to do with maintaining the trannys and the style of driving. So many times we try and get heavy loads moving at a fast rate and that puts stress on things. Over time they wear out. Got that big bad Cummins go to out do the PS or DM next to us...............

I just heard story a few days ago of a guy with a Cummins with mods doing burn outs with a gooseneck on the back. ...........tranny eventually blew up.........those 48RE's are just garbage........cant figure it out.........


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well once again no issues no adjustments.Just full flush and fill atf+4 Tech test drove and thought it drove and shifted like a new truck "amazing".when you put the miles on these trucks that i do small issues very soon slap you in the face so they dont get the chance to build up and turn your truck into a loose goose.General maintenance is adhered to and all else is fix it the minute it breaks witch is constantly.(not that cummins though) I'm happy i've had perfect luck with all my auto trans but its odd that so many others have issues. Its got to be the slow and easy accelerating (my drivers have to follow me so those trucks do the same)If i still drove for "fun" i'd mod my truck all up to the 9's and tear up the pavement till she blew and laugh my *** off all day doin it. just sayin

 

I think your post pretty much sums 99% of the problems people have!

Keep doing what you are doing! Its working!


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