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2014 RAM 2500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel4WDAUTOMATICdieselturbo
16 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
Repairs461Labor591Torque3877Fluid9DTC789Battery1Maintenance0Recalls16
transmission

Torque Converter

for 2014 Ram 2500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD
Difficulty
Advanced
Time
6.9 h
Tools
11
Steps
14

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the torque converter on a 2014 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine and 68RFE automatic transmission.

Warnings

⚠️Vehicle must be securely supported on jack stands rated for its weight. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
Transmission fluid will drain when components are disconnected. Have adequate drain pans positioned.
The torque converter is heavy (approximately 40 lbs when full of fluid) and can fall during removal. Ensure proper support.
ℹ️Mark all electrical connectors and hoses during removal to ensure proper reassembly.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential
Transmission jackEssential
Torque wrench (0-150 lb-ft range)Essential
Socket set (metric)Essential
Pry bar
Drain pan (minimum 12 quart capacity)Essential
Fluid transfer pump
Breaker barEssential
Engine support fixture or hoist
Flexplate holding toolEssential
Dial indicator with magnetic base

Parts

  • Torque converter × 1 — Use OEM specification for 68RFE transmission
  • Transmission pan gasket × 1 — 68RFE pan gasket
  • Transmission filter kit × 1 — 68RFE filter and seal

Fluids

  • Mopar ATF+4 — 10 qt

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
  2. Disconnect both battery terminals, negative first
  3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame contact points
  4. Remove skid plates and belly pans to access transmission
  5. Allow transmission to cool completely if recently driven
  6. Mark driveshafts for reinstallation alignment

Procedure

  1. 1
    Drain transmission fluid
    Position drain pan under transmission pan. Remove all pan bolts and carefully lower the pan to drain fluid. Remove transmission filter and save the filter seal. Clean the pan thoroughly and inspect for metal debris or clutch material.
    Torque spec
    Pan Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Disconnect driveshafts and components
    Remove rear driveshaft by unbolting from differential and transmission yoke. Remove front driveshaft from transfer case. Disconnect transfer case shift linkage and electrical connectors. Disconnect transmission cooler lines and plug openings to prevent contamination.
    Mark driveshaft alignment before removal to maintain balance during reinstallation.
  3. 3
    Remove transmission mounting and crossmember
    Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts and lower crossmember away from vehicle. Disconnect shift linkage, electrical connectors, and speed sensors from transmission case.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
  4. 4
    Access torque converter bolts
    Remove the transmission bellhousing inspection cover by removing the cover screws. Rotate engine crankshaft using a breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt to access each torque converter to flexplate bolt through the inspection opening. Mark bolt locations if they appear to have different lengths.
    ℹ️Rotate engine in normal direction of rotation only (clockwise from front). Do not rotate by flexplate or torque converter.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Remove torque converter bolts
    Using a flexplate holding tool to prevent rotation, remove all torque converter to flexplate bolts. There are typically four bolts. Rotate crankshaft as needed to access each bolt. Keep bolts organized for inspection.
    Torque spec
    Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Separate transmission from engine
    Remove all bellhousing to engine block bolts. Carefully slide transmission rearward on transmission jack, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated in transmission pump. Move transmission back approximately 2 inches until input shaft clears engine block, then lower slightly to provide clearance.
    ⚠️Ensure torque converter is secured to transmission. Use safety wire or a torque converter holding strap to prevent it from falling out during removal.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
  7. 7
    Remove torque converter
    With transmission safely supported and moved away from engine, carefully pull torque converter straight out of transmission pump. The converter must be pulled straight to avoid damage to pump seal or bushing. Drain remaining fluid from converter into drain pan.
    Torque converter contains residual fluid and is heavy. Use proper lifting technique and have assistance available.
  8. 8
    Inspect and prepare for installation
    Inspect flexplate for cracks, heat damage, or loose ring gear. Check crankshaft pilot bearing/bushing condition. Inspect transmission pump seal and bushing for wear. Clean flexplate and bellhousing mating surfaces thoroughly. Verify new torque converter pilot fits freely in crankshaft.
    ℹ️Flexplate damage is common with torque converter failure. Replace flexplate if any cracks or heat discoloration is present.
  9. 9
    Install new torque converter
    Add approximately 1 quart of fresh ATF+4 into new torque converter. Align torque converter splines with transmission pump and carefully slide into place. Push converter in while rotating gently until it engages three times: input shaft splines, then reaction shaft support splines, then pump drive lugs. Measure converter installation depth from bellhousing face to converter mounting pad - should be at least 1/2 inch recessed.
    ⚠️Torque converter MUST be fully seated before installing transmission. An improperly seated converter will destroy the transmission pump upon installation.
  10. 10
    Install transmission to engine
    With torque converter secured to transmission (use safety wire through mounting hole), align transmission with engine and carefully slide forward. Guide input shaft into pilot bearing while keeping transmission level. Install all bellhousing to engine block mounting bolts finger tight, then torque to specification in a cross pattern.
    Do not use bellhousing bolts to draw transmission to engine. Transmission must slide into place with minimal resistance when properly aligned.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
  11. 11
    Install torque converter to flexplate
    Rotate torque converter to align bolt holes with flexplate. Install all torque converter bolts and tighten evenly to specification using flexplate holding tool to prevent rotation. Verify converter rotates freely after installation.
    Torque spec
    Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
  12. 12
    Reinstall inspection cover and crossmember
    Install bellhousing inspection cover and tighten cover screws to specification. Raise transmission into position and install crossmember. Torque crossmember mounting bolts to specification. Remove transmission jack.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
  13. 13
    Reconnect components and drivelines
    Reconnect transmission cooler lines. Install transmission filter and new gasket. Install transmission pan with new gasket and torque pan bolts to specification in a cross pattern. Reconnect all electrical connectors, shift linkage, and speed sensors. Reinstall front and rear driveshafts, aligning marks made during removal.
    Torque spec
    Pan Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
    Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
  14. 14
    Fill transmission and check operation
    Add approximately 6 quarts of ATF+4 through dipstick tube. Reconnect battery terminals (positive first). Start engine and add remaining fluid to bring level to cold mark with engine idling in park. With parking brake applied and foot on brake, cycle through all gear ranges, pausing 3 seconds in each. Return to park and verify fluid level. Run engine until transmission reaches operating temperature (160-200°F) and recheck fluid level with engine running in park on level ground. Add fluid as needed to reach hot full mark.
    Do not overfill transmission. Overfilling causes foaming and can result in transmission damage.

Reassembly

  1. Reinstall all skid plates and belly pans removed during access
  2. Lower vehicle and perform final torque verification on all critical fasteners
  3. Road test vehicle through all gears to verify proper torque converter operation and smooth shifting
  4. Recheck transmission fluid level after test drive and top off if needed

Verification

  • Transmission engages smoothly in all gear ranges with no slipping or unusual noise
  • No transmission fluid leaks present around pan, cooler lines, or bellhousing
  • Transmission fluid level is at proper hot full mark on dipstick with engine running
  • Engine starts in Park and Neutral only, not in Drive or Reverse (neutral safety switch functioning)
  • No check engine light or transmission fault codes present
  • Torque converter lockup engages smoothly at highway speed without shudder or slip

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