How-To:THE Complete JL Wrangler ZF8 Speed Fluid and Filter Service video

More important INFO!
Here’s the pan bolt torquing sequence. See the left image.
https://aftermarket.zf.com/media/mast...

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To recap the whole procedure with text-

We’re just trying to work air out of the valve body and torque converter.
These are repeatable observations having done this 3 times.

1. After the initial cold fill I would start the engine & work my way through all the gears a few times while waiting for transmission temps to rise.

NOTE: My total was about 15 seconds for each gear as I went through a few times which is more than prescribed in service manuals, minimum being 5 seconds each gear. ALSO some have ZF instructions that say hold 2k rpms for 5 secs after going through the gears. I did not have that manual version at the time but I would now recommend it. It can only help. That same version also recommended the vehicle be in the air and actually putting the transmission in gear letting the wheels turn and accelerating into second gear etc. For some, like me, that’s not always going to be practical and you may not feel it’s safe to do this. Please read on.

2. Then, if I’m at the minimum temperature following the temperature range filling requirements, I would promptly (the temps are rising) crawl back under while the Jeep idled to check the fluid level again and quickly top off as needed like in the video.

3. Then I would go for a short drive like I mentioned. We’re just trying to get the last bubbles of air out of the system/torque converter.

4. Then let it cool back down in order to check again within the prescribed 86° to 122° F range.

5. Start it up & check the level when it reaches that temp range. Checking at a lower temp will let you put more fluid in. Following this procedure, the most additional fluid people typically can get in there is up to another 1/2 quart.

Lastly,

To verify the correct outcome of a completely filled transmission, outside of the video, I have checked one more time (over three services so far) and the level was still the same after a few days driving back and forth to work doing things the way I did here so this process is both thorough and safe.



PARTS LIST (3 items):

1. Transmission Fluid-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V46QTWM?...

2. Transmission Filter-
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-p...

3. Transmission Pan Gasket-
https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-p...


My goal was to save my family some money these days and do as much maintenance myself as I can. Following the instructions in this video will let you save hundreds of dollars by having the confidence to do the work yourself!

After watching many videos and searching the internet, I decided to make a video for the beginner to advanced do-it-yourself'er because I felt there were some instructional gaps that needed to be addressed regarding the ZF8 Speed (850RE) fluid and filter change procedure.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section. I'm happy to help.

Thanks and have a good one!

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