Thread: ZF Auto trans aftermarket steel pan and filter

Originally Posted by d3viate

I understand it will only be a problem if it is found that "the pan" is at fault

That is the legal situation.
The risk is that if LR want to be a PITA over it then they can.
LR when compared to other manufacturers are quite good about warranty claims.

But if then that is the case then ZF have an issue as they made the pan for the transmission.

D3viate,
I've fitted the what you refer to as the "non OEM" part, as as as I'm aware this is a ZF component and not something somebody dreamt up in a garage somewhere, mine had a genuine ZF part number on it. So if by non OEM part you mean the pan isn't the one fitted by LR you are right, the gearbox is made by ZF so they are the OEM and this as far as I'm aware is a genuine ZF part. The only down side I can see here is the steel pan doesn't have any fins on it so by installing the steel pan behind the transmission cover you might have the gearbox running a bit warmer than normal, I don't know as yet. The gearbox does have a temp sensor that triggers the gearbox to optimise the right gear to keep the temp within limits if the oil gets to hot , if the temp goes out side these limits then the gearbox goes into limp mode as far as I'm aware anyway.
It's a choice thing, if you want to fit the steel pan and move into the world of replaceable filters and fresh oil every 90 to 100 k then step on board. If you want to stick with the LR pan and the sealed for life thing then that's got to be good as well. If the gearbox craps itself and you've got a steel pan on I could see LR doing their level best to get out of the claim.

Originally Posted by Nomad9

D3viate,
The only down side I can see here is the steel pan doesn't have any fins on it so by installing the steel pan behind the transmission cover you might have the gearbox running a bit warmer than normal, I don't know as yet.

I think the steel pan will probably conduct heat better even without the fins. The OEM pan is plastic so the fins are just there to look good, they don't conduct any heat.
If you are worried about overheating you are better putting a bigger oil cooler in front of the radiator.

Hi CaverD3,
I suspect you 100% correct, steel does conduct heat better, I thought about this a bit more after I posted the reply. Me I'm not worried about over heating the transmission at all. If anything does happen then yes I'll look at a bigger cooler as you suggest. I know what you are saying about the fins, the fins do increase the surface area of the pan, how much this improves the cooling efficiency if anything, unsure.....

I'm completely ignorant to autos so apologies if these are dumb questions...

Why would I replace the pan? What does it do? Is it like the sump of an engine?

What symptoms would make you want to change the pan \ oil?

Originally Posted by djhampson

I'm completely ignorant to autos so apologies if these are dumb questions...

Why would I replace the pan? What does it do? Is it like the sump of an engine?

What symptoms would make you want to change the pan \ oil?

Gday...
I am ignorant of D3 Autos ... and would also love to know the answers to the above (dumb?) questions.
Cheers

John

I think the original fitment pan is plastic and is destroyed when removed.

It is basically the sump which holds the transmission oil.

You should change the oil and filter regularly, just like you do with an engine.
The long service interval given by LR is not realistic for good transmission life, particularly in harsh conditions (heat, dust, towing, etc).

The original pan in the D3 requires the crossmember to be undone and one engine mount undone in order to remove the pan and change the filter.

The steel pan was developed for the falcon transmission because the plastic one was was easily damaged.
The advantage for the D3 is you can undo the original pan and rip out the OEM filter without undoing the engine mount. The steel pan just slots in with the new filter. All subequent changes are easier and quicker, especially if you need to do another change to flush the ATF and change the filter.
Also less prone to damage and better cooling due to heat conduction through the steel. Plastic fins are only there to make the pan look the part. An aluminium pan with cooling fins would be ideal.