transmission

Transmission R&R - Automatic

for 2014 Ram 2500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD

Difficulty

Expert

Time

9.6 h

Tools

Steps

Complete removal and reinstallation of the 68RFE automatic transmission from a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, including driveline disconnection, transfer case separation, and torque converter removal.

Warnings

⚠️The 68RFE transmission weighs approximately 265 pounds. Use a transmission jack rated for at least 800 lbs and secure all supports before working underneath vehicle.

⚠️Ensure vehicle is on level ground with wheels chocked and parking brake engaged. Use properly rated jack stands on frame rails, never rely solely on hydraulic jacks.

⚠Transmission fluid will drain when disconnecting cooler lines. Have drain pans positioned and wear appropriate protective equipment.

⚠The torque converter weighs approximately 40 lbs and can fall out during removal. Secure it to the transmission bellhousing or support it during removal.

ℹ️Mark all driveshaft flanges and electrical connectors before removal to ensure proper alignment during reinstallation.

Tools required

Transmission jack with minimum 800 lb capacityEssential

Floor jack and jack stands rated for 3+ tonsEssential

Torque wrench (10-100 lb-ft range)Essential

1/2 inch drive socket set (metric and SAE)Essential

Pry bar or transmission alignment toolEssential

Drain pan (minimum 12 quart capacity)Essential

T-50 Torx bit

Marker or paint pen for alignment marks

Angle finder for TTY bolts

Transfer case support jack or blockEssential

Breaker barEssential

Wire or zip ties for securing components

Parts

Transmission fluid pan gasket × 1 — 68RFE pan gasket or Mopar 68105829AA
Transmission filter kit × 1 — 68RFE filter kit
Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
Flywheel bolts (if TTY) × 6 — Check for stretch and replace if TTY
Transfer case gasket or RTV sealant × 1 — Use OEM specification
Transmission output shaft seal (recommended) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

Mopar ATF+4 — 12 qt

Preparation

Position vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Chock rear wheels.
Disconnect both negative and positive battery terminals to prevent electrical shorts and allow ECM to reset.
Raise vehicle on lift or securely support on jack stands rated for vehicle weight. Ensure minimum 48 inches of clearance under transmission.
Place drain pan under transmission pan and remove drain plug to drain fluid. Allow at least 20 minutes for complete drainage.
Remove skid plates and cross members that obstruct access to transmission bellhousing and transfer case.
Mark front and rear driveshaft flanges with paint pen for proper phasing during reinstallation.

Procedure

1
Disconnect driveshafts and transfer case linkage
Remove the rear driveshaft by unbolting the 4 bolts at the rear differential flange and the 4 bolts at the transfer case output flange. Remove front driveshaft by unbolting from front differential and transfer case. Support driveshafts with wire to prevent damage. Disconnect transfer case shift linkage or electrical connector for electronic shift models.
2
Remove transmission crossmember and exhaust components
Support transmission and transfer case assembly with transmission jack positioned at center of transmission pan. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts. If exhaust interferes with transmission removal, disconnect Y-pipe at exhaust manifold or remove sections as necessary for clearance. Lower exhaust and secure out of work area.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
3
Disconnect electrical connectors and cooler lines
Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission including: vehicle speed sensor, input/output speed sensors, transmission range sensor, pressure sensors, and solenoid pack connector. Label each connector. Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission using flare nut wrench to prevent rounding. Cap all openings immediately to prevent contamination. Position drain pan as residual fluid will drain from lines.
⚠Transmission cooler lines are under residual pressure. Loosen fittings slowly and have rags ready to catch fluid.
Torque spec
Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
4
Remove transfer case from transmission
Support transfer case with separate jack or blocking. Remove transfer case-to-transmission mounting bolts (typically 6 bolts). Carefully slide transfer case rearward off transmission output shaft. The transfer case is heavy (approximately 70 lbs) so maintain control during removal. Inspect transfer case adapter seal and replace if worn.
⚠Transfer case must be supported independently before removing mounting bolts to prevent it from falling or binding on output shaft.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
5
Disconnect shift linkage and torque converter access
Disconnect transmission shift linkage at transmission lever. Remove torque converter inspection cover from bellhousing bottom. Rotate engine crankshaft using breaker bar on dampener bolt to access all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts (typically 4 bolts). Remove all torque converter bolts and push torque converter back into transmission bellhousing.
ℹ️Rotate engine in normal direction of rotation only. Mark first bolt position to ensure all 4 bolts are removed.
Torque spec
Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
6
Remove bellhousing bolts and separate transmission
Verify transmission jack is securely positioned and supporting full weight of transmission. Remove all bellhousing-to-engine block bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths around the bellhousing perimeter. Note bolt locations as lengths vary. Secure torque converter to transmission using wire, zip ties, or converter holding tool to prevent it from sliding out during removal.
⚠️Ensure transmission jack is secure and transmission weight is fully supported. Have assistant help guide transmission during separation.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
7
Remove transmission from vehicle
Carefully slide transmission rearward away from engine, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated in transmission pump. Maintain level orientation as much as possible. Once input shaft clears bellhousing, slowly lower transmission jack and roll transmission out from under vehicle. Keep torque converter secured until transmission is on workbench.
⚠If torque converter starts to slide out, stop immediately and re-secure it. The converter must remain engaged with transmission pump during removal.
8
Inspect and prepare for installation
Inspect engine-to-transmission mating surface and pilot bushing in crankshaft. Clean all mating surfaces thoroughly. Inspect flexplate for cracks, especially around torque converter bolt holes and center hub. Verify torque converter hub is not damaged. Measure torque converter depth from bellhousing mounting surface to converter lugs - should be minimum 1/2 inch recessed. If installing replacement transmission, transfer all sensors and external components.
ℹ️Flexplate cracks are common on Cummins applications. Inspect thoroughly with good lighting before reinstallation.
9
Install transmission to engine
Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter hub and transmission input shaft. Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission pump by measuring depth and verifying it rotates freely. Position transmission on jack and raise into position. Align transmission with engine, ensuring dowel pins engage properly. Slide transmission forward, rotating output shaft slightly if needed to align input shaft splines with torque converter. Install all bellhousing bolts and tighten in star pattern.
⚠Never use bellhousing bolts to draw transmission to engine. If transmission does not slide forward easily, stop and check alignment.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
10
Install torque converter to flexplate
Rotate crankshaft to align first torque converter mounting hole with flexplate. Install torque converter bolts and tighten in star pattern. Check flywheel bolts for TTY (torque-to-yield) markings - if TTY, use new bolts. Tighten all torque converter bolts in multiple passes, rotating engine to access each bolt. Install torque converter inspection cover.
ℹ️TTY flywheel bolts must be replaced and tightened in proper sequence. Follow star pattern strictly.
Torque spec
Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
11
Install transfer case
Clean transfer case adapter and transmission mating surfaces. Install new gasket or apply RTV sealant per manufacturer specification. Support transfer case on jack and align with transmission output shaft. Carefully slide transfer case forward onto transmission, ensuring output shaft engages properly with transfer case input gear. Install all mounting bolts and tighten in star pattern.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
12
Reconnect cooler lines and electrical connections
Install transmission cooler lines to transmission fittings and tighten securely with flare nut wrench. Reconnect all electrical connectors in reverse order of removal, ensuring each connector clicks into place and seals are properly seated. Reconnect shift linkage and adjust if necessary. Verify all sensors are tightened to specification.
Torque spec
Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
13
Install crossmember and driveshafts
Raise transmission into final position and install transmission crossmember. Tighten crossmember mounting bolts to specification. Install front and rear driveshafts, aligning marks made during removal to maintain proper phasing. Tighten all driveshaft flange bolts. Reconnect transfer case linkage or electrical connector. Reinstall any exhaust components that were removed.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
14
Fill transmission and perform initial checks
Install new transmission filter and pan gasket. Install transmission pan and tighten bolts in criss-cross pattern. Install drain plug with new crush washer. Add approximately 6 quarts of Mopar ATF+4 through dipstick tube. Reconnect battery terminals. Start engine and allow to idle. With engine running and parking brake applied, shift through all gear ranges, pausing 3 seconds in each position. Check fluid level with engine running in Park on level ground. Add fluid as needed to bring level to cold range on dipstick. Total capacity is approximately 10-12 quarts depending on how much remained in cooler and lines.
⚠Do not overfill transmission. Check level with engine running at normal idle in Park after transmission reaches 100-150°F.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Reinstall all skid plates and protective covers removed during disassembly.
Torque all fasteners to specification in multiple passes where indicated.
Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked.
Check for fluid leaks at all connections after initial startup and test drive.
Allow transmission to reach operating temperature before checking final fluid level.

Verification

Start engine and verify transmission engages all gears smoothly without abnormal noises or harsh shifts.
Check for fluid leaks at transmission pan, cooler lines, transfer case adapter, and all sensor locations.
Test drive vehicle through all gear ranges including manual shift mode if equipped. Verify proper shift points and operation.
Verify speedometer and transmission temperature gauge function correctly.
After test drive, recheck fluid level with transmission at operating temperature (180-200°F) and top off if necessary.
Scan for diagnostic trouble codes using scan tool. Clear any stored codes related to battery disconnect and verify no new transmission codes are present.
Verify 4WD engagement if equipped by testing in safe location.
Check transmission fluid level again after 50-100 miles of operation and inspect for leaks.