Replace or rebuild the transmission valve body, which controls hydraulic fluid flow to engage gears and operate clutches in the 68RFE automatic transmission.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve body assembly or rebuild kit × 1 — 68RFE valve body (OEM or remanufactured)
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter kit × 1 — 68RFE transmission filter
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification if equipped

Fluids

• Mopar ATF+4 — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow transmission to cool completely (minimum 2 hours after operation)
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
4. Remove skid plate or underbody protection panels if equipped
5. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental starter engagement
6. Place large drain pan under transmission pan

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   If equipped with drain plug, remove the transmission drain plug and allow fluid to drain completely. If no drain plug is present, loosen all transmission pan bolts gradually and carefully lower one corner of the pan to drain fluid. Have drain pan positioned to catch approximately 6-8 quarts of fluid. Allow adequate time for complete drainage.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove transmission pan
   Remove all transmission pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern, working from outside edges toward center. Carefully lower the pan, being aware that residual fluid will spill. Remove the pan and gasket completely. Inspect pan interior for metal debris or clutch material, which may indicate other transmission problems.
   Torque spec

   Pan Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove transmission filter
   Locate the transmission filter assembly mounted to the valve body. Remove the filter mounting bolts or clips as applicable to the 68RFE design. Carefully pull the filter straight down to disengage from the valve body pickup tubes. Inspect filter for debris and damage. Some residual fluid will drain when filter is removed.
4. 4

   Disconnect electrical connectors and solenoids
   Locate all electrical connectors attached to the valve body and transmission case. Carefully release connector locks and disconnect all wiring harnesses. Tag or photograph connector positions for reference during reassembly. Remove any solenoid retaining bolts if solenoids are separately mounted. Keep all electrical components clean and dry.
   ⚠Do not allow ATF to contaminate electrical connectors. Clean any fluid from connectors with electrical contact cleaner and allow to dry completely before reconnection.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove valve body mounting bolts
   The 68RFE valve body is secured by multiple bolts of varying lengths. Photograph or diagram bolt locations as bolt length varies by position. Remove all valve body mounting bolts carefully, keeping them organized by location. Some bolts may have specific shoulders or washers that must be reinstalled in the same positions.
   ⚠Valve body bolts are different lengths. Installing incorrect length bolts can cause internal damage. Keep bolts organized and labeled by position.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove valve body assembly
   Carefully lower the valve body assembly, keeping it level to prevent springs or check balls from falling out. The valve body may have manual valve linkage that must be disconnected. Guide the valve body down and out of the transmission case. Be extremely careful not to drop the valve body or allow it to tilt excessively. Place valve body on clean work surface with internal passages facing up.
   ⚠The valve body contains critical check balls and springs in specific locations. Any dislodged components must be reinstalled in exact original positions or transmission will malfunction.
7. 7

   Inspect transmission case separator plate
   With valve body removed, inspect the separator plate gaskets and check ball locations in the transmission case. Note position of any check balls or springs in the case. Clean the valve body mounting surface thoroughly with clean shop towels and brake cleaner. Inspect for damage or scoring. Verify all passages are clear using compressed air if available.
8. 8

   Install new or remanufactured valve body
   If installing a complete replacement valve body, verify all solenoids and components are installed and match the original configuration. Position any required gaskets or separator plates with correct orientation (alignment holes must match). Carefully raise the new valve body into position, ensuring manual valve linkage engages properly and all alignment pins seat correctly. Keep valve body level during installation.
   ⚠Ensure all check balls and springs remain in proper positions during valve body installation. A single misplaced check ball will cause major shift problems.
9. 9

   Install valve body mounting bolts
   Install all valve body mounting bolts in their correct positions, hand-threading each bolt first to prevent cross-threading. Tighten bolts in a criss-cross pattern starting from the center and working outward. Follow torque specifications carefully. Verify proper torque on all bolts using a calibrated torque wrench. Double-check that all bolt positions are correct before final tightening.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical connectors and solenoids
    Reconnect all electrical connectors to the valve body solenoids and sensors, ensuring each connector clicks fully into place. Verify connector orientation is correct and locking tabs engage. If solenoids were removed separately, install them with new O-rings if provided and torque sensor bolts to specification. Verify no wiring is pinched or routed where it could contact moving parts.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install new transmission filter
    Install the new transmission filter, ensuring pickup tube O-rings are properly seated if equipped. Push filter firmly onto the valve body pickup tubes until fully seated. Secure filter with mounting bolts or clips as applicable. Verify filter is secure and properly oriented.
12. 12

    Clean and prepare transmission pan
    Thoroughly clean the transmission pan interior using brake cleaner and lint-free shop towels. Remove all old gasket material from the pan sealing surface using a plastic scraper. Inspect pan for damage, cracks, or warping. Clean the magnet in the pan thoroughly. Ensure pan sealing surface is completely clean and dry.
13. 13

    Install transmission pan with new gasket
    Position the new transmission pan gasket on the pan or transmission case as designed (some gaskets have adhesive backing). Align the pan carefully with all bolt holes. Install all pan bolts hand-tight first to ensure proper alignment. Tighten pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern starting from the center to specified torque. Do not overtighten as this will distort the pan and cause leaks.
    ⚠Over-tightening transmission pan bolts will warp the pan and cause fluid leaks. Use torque wrench and follow criss-cross tightening pattern.
    Torque spec

    Pan Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install drain plug if equipped
    If transmission is equipped with drain plug, install a new crush washer on the drain plug. Thread drain plug into transmission pan by hand, then tighten to specification. Do not overtighten as this will strip the aluminum pan threads.
    Torque spec

    Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Refill transmission with ATF+4
    Lower vehicle to ground. Remove transmission dipstick and insert funnel. Add approximately 5-6 quarts of Mopar ATF+4 initially. Start engine and allow to idle. With engine running and parking brake engaged, move shift lever through all gear positions, pausing 2-3 seconds in each gear. Return to Park. Check fluid level on dipstick with engine running at operating temperature. Add fluid as needed to bring level to proper range. Total system capacity is approximately 10 quarts, but only refill what was drained.
    ⚠️Do not overfill transmission. Overfilling causes foaming, overheating, and potential transmission damage. Check level with engine running at operating temperature.
    ⚠Only use Mopar ATF+4 fluid. Other fluids will damage the transmission and void warranties.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall underbody protection panels or skid plates
2. Reconnect negative battery cable
3. Verify no tools or parts were left in engine bay or under vehicle
4. Check for fluid leaks around transmission pan after initial test drive

Verification

• Start engine and verify no fluid leaks from transmission pan or valve body area
• With engine at operating temperature, verify transmission fluid level is in correct range on dipstick
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gears with no harsh engagement, slipping, or delayed shifts
• Check for diagnostic trouble codes using scan tool - no transmission-related codes should be present
• Monitor transmission temperature during test drive to ensure normal operating range
• Re-check fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Inspect underneath vehicle after test drive to confirm no new fluid leaks have developed

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