Has anyone used the non genuine steel transmission pan?

[Oohsam]

Hi Guys,
Planning a transmission service at home and just looking at all thebits I need to buy. I've found a place near me that sells non genuine pans. They look fine, its just a pan afterall, and will be using the ZF oil.
Thoughts?

Seems likea reasonable price. I can't see any issuewith this being aftermarket.

ZF6HP26 6 speed Steel / Metal Sump/pan Conversion kit FACTORY 2NDS plus 6 x lg | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ZF6HP26-6-speed-Steel-Metal-Sump-pan-Conversion-kit-FACTORY-2NDS-plus-6-x-lg/202790483750?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SI MRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3D99bb fa1e02ab485ead97030f71d61fc7%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3 D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D191688617076%26it m%3D202790483750%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D204767 5&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982)

[Red90]

I’m pretty sure they are all genuine pans made by ZF. Metal ones were just used in other applications.

[loanrangie]

The after market pans are fine .

[woko]

I've used that pan from that supplier on 3 different cars. All fitted perfectly.
I would prefer the aftermarket one as it uses standard hex bolts. I have one car that I look after has a genuine one and it still uses torx. A standard socket is easier to access the bolts around the front cross member that torx bits

[101RRS]

Just be aware that some aftermarket pans do not have a drain plug - though the one in the link above does.

[Oohsam]

Thanks guys! really appreciate the responses. I had a feeling it would be fine, but ya never know!

[Eric SDV6SE]

I’m pretty sure they are all genuine pans made by ZF. Metal ones were just used in other applications.

Mines a "genuine" ZF pan with a bmw sticker on it, no issues. Still using torx socket head cap screws too. No leaks. went with the thicker gasket.

[DiscoJeffster]

No idea what I bought. Got it with drain, some super gasket and hex bolts plus filter. Off eBay. Has been fine.

[CraigE]

I will be oredering one shortly myself.

[LGM]

Has been on my 2011 D4 since 2013. my conversion pan does have a drain plug. The main benefit for me has been that the steel pan allows for a filter change without the mucking around of the LR plastic version required. Bought mine off eBay as well!
I did notice the add you referred to says 'Factory Seconds'. Personally, those words would put me off that particular one version.

[101RRS]

To change the filter with the steel pan is just as difficult as it is with the plastic pan - the only saving is that you do not have to buy a new pan when you do the filter with the steel pan. Both pans have to come off for filter changes, it is just that the palstic pan is wrecked where the steel pan stays intact - but both have to come off.

I bought my steel pan etc from ZF so genuine and the same price as ebay.

[LGM]

To change the filter with the steel pan is just as difficult as it is with the plastic pan - the only saving is that you do not have to buy a new pan when you do the filter with the steel pan. Both pans have to come off for filter changes, it is just that the palstic pan is wrecked where the steel pan stays intact - but both have to come off.

I bought my steel pan etc from ZF so genuine and the same price as ebay.

Like I said less mucking around![wink11]

[DiscoJeffster]

To change the filter with the steel pan is just as difficult as it is with the plastic pan - the only saving is that you do not have to buy a new pan when you do the filter with the steel pan. Both pans have to come off for filter changes, it is just that the palstic pan is wrecked where the steel pan stays intact - but both have to come off.

I bought my steel pan etc from ZF so genuine and the same price as ebay.

Not just as difficult. Getting the new plastic pan back on requires more disassembly to get the plastic pan back in place to align the filter spigot. That’s the main advantage of the steel pan, but I get your point.

[101RRS]

You gotta ask that when they designed the metal pan why they didn't design it so the filter could be changed with the pan in place - a simple cutout with a bolt on cover - undo the cover - drop the filter and replace and then put the cover back on.

[loanrangie]

You gotta ask that when they designed the metal pan why they didn't design it so the filter could be changed with the pan in place - a simple cutout with a bolt on cover - undo the cover - drop the filter and replace and then put the cover back on.That would be something else that leaks, every other auto in the world pretty much needs the pan dropped to replace the filter.

[shanegtr]

what would be better would be to have a spin on filter built into the trans - but not many have that. The vast majority are all in pan filters that are incorporated into the oil pickup

[DunnToImpress]

I have been considering changing to the steel pan but have gone on the "if it isn't broke why fix it" thinking. How often should the Filter in the pan be changed/cleaned??? I have done a fair bit of caravan towing and have been pretty good with the oil changes but haven't been near the filter in the pan. Thoughts would be appreciated.

[Oohsam]

I have been considering changing to the steel pan but have gone on the "if it isn't broke why fix it" thinking. How often should the Filter in the pan be changed/cleaned??? I have done a fair bit of caravan towing and have been pretty good with the oil changes but haven't been near the filter in the pan. Thoughts would be appreciated.

I've done alot of work on rebuilding ZF transmissions, and have done 1 or 2 in my time. I've also done a few Mechatronic refurbishments when there has been transmission issues.
One in particular was on a 5 sereies BMW where the transmission was slipping alot.
one of the places I took it to told me that the transmission needed replacing.

I didn't buy this, I pulled the mechatronic system off (drop pan and remove it) and replaced all teh valvles> a ZF parts place near my house, bought the entire valve kit for 600 dollars, simple plug and play of the old valves and installed it. The fill up procedure of the BMW's is the same as the LR, fill it, get it up to temp, fill it some more etc.
Transmission issues were totally resolved and the car ran for another 100 thou before selling. Transmission was smooth as silk.

The advantage is that you should really drop the oil in the tranmission once a year, to prolong the life of the transmission, Think of it as preventative maintance. The only cost would be to replace the filter and oil after you have done th steel conversion.

There are youtube videos online that show how to take off teh plastic filter without needing to remove teh cross brace, or the engine mount - they cut the plastic up pipe with a hacksaw blade, and can slip the metalpan in with minimal fuss.
its not a huge job if you have enough room under the car.

[DunnToImpress]

Thanks Oohsam, i have had the oil changed a couple of times using the transfer system, all the old oil is removed via the heat exchanger and new oil replaced the same way. this has been done at 75k and last week at 125k. I am happy with what has been done but am a bit concerned about the filter needing to be changed. Will look into this more for the next Trans oil change at 175k.

[101RRS]

I believe ZF recommend oil changes not later than every 80,000km and the filter every 120,000km but I cannot quote the source.

Garry

[Alfy101]

I swapped to a steel pan 80k ago and used the original bolts that were on pan. Personally liking the ease of how my tools fitted. Cutting out the original plastic sump was easy and installing new just as easy. Only paying around 250$ from here:Easy Fit Automatic Transmission Filter Conversion Kit - Britpart DA2142 | Rimmer Bros (https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-LR007474BPKITEF). I used 9lters of original fluid. Just drained refilled, let get to temp, ran through all the gears and drained and refilled again to ensure at least 70% fluid change. After 40k I got the dreaded trans shudder while towing camper trailer through the flinders rangers. So at 50k added Liqud Moly trans fluid cleaner. Then used the following steps. Drained and refilled with Nulon. Drained, changed filter. Filled and drained three more times. Letting it get back to temp and running through all the gears each time. On the last refill topping up to full mark while engine running. The shudder is almost gone but can still be felt at times. If possible reset trans adaptives after changing oil types. I just did the battery reset as no Hawkey. Now 40000 km later all good still. Ford also sell filters quite cheap as they also use pan on falcons.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I have been considering changing to the steel pan but have gone on the "if it isn't broke why fix it" thinking. How often should the Filter in the pan be changed/cleaned??? I have done a fair bit of caravan towing and have been pretty good with the oil changes but haven't been near the filter in the pan. Thoughts would be appreciated.

If doing any off roading, its piece of mind having a steel pan. Even with the factory bash plate, in place ( also plastic btw) the plastic pan is reasonably exposed.

Plus filter changes can be done withour destroying the pan.