Thread: ZF 8 speed Steel pan options

With the issues in the cooling systems and manifolds using plastic parts that are cracking from heat, I wonder how long these plastic sump pans last before they fail?

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

With the issues in the cooling systems and manifolds using plastic parts that are cracking from heat, I wonder how long these plastic sump pans last before they fail?

Different plastic... At good service intervals shouldnt present any problems for years.

Originally Posted by SimmAus

Thanks for the input.

My understanding was that the plastic pan and filter were 1 piece, so if you wanted to drain and replace the filter it was basically a new pan also (whereas the 6 speed steel pan allowed drain and filter replacement only). Is this correct?

I’m on 60k kms now and my Indy has a potential source in the coming months, hopefully before I get much above 75k.

From other threads, the filter retains a few litres of transmission fluid. So its possible now to drain the transmission partially, and put back the same quantity that you drained out. This doesn't replace the filter and retains I recall something like 30% of the old fluid. But that is better than doing nothing, and if its bought at the right price (the proper fluid) then its a different approach. one needs to read the appropriate threads ... but I recall, its not as complex as the engine oil change, which has issues with its oil cooler and draining the oil I think ...

I contacted A&B at 60k and they said don't bother yet. So I did it at 70k which they thought was time. A&B have ZF factory hardware that other places don't have for rebuilding ZF transmissions, they know all about ZF transmissions. And as said, I've towed about 15k with a 2.5 tonne (max) off road van. If there's something not right or a bit off with the tranny, finding out early would be better than later IMO.

Fact is that changing fluids is the cheapest insurance for a 4WD. Note that Toyota change their fluids a lot. They promise cheap services but the fluids are added onto one's cost of services, being consumables. In my experience at least (although with one Prado service they did pay for the fluids). The problem IMO with the ZF transmission is that the fluid is so costly and that the fluid needs to be the correct one. Nulon etc. won't do ... But A&B would buy it a lot better than you or I could IMO. And they don't seem to rip off their customers. Not sure now, but at times Repco used to have specials on the proper transmission fluid.

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

From other threads, the filter retains a few litres of transmission fluid. So its possible now to drain the transmission partially, and put back the same quantity that you drained out. This doesn't replace the filter and retains I recall something like 30% of the old fluid. But that is better than doing nothing, and if its bought at the right price (the proper fluid) then its a different approach. one needs to read the appropriate threads ... but I recall, its not as complex as the engine oil change, which has issues with its oil cooler and draining the oil I think ...

I contacted A&B at 60k and they said don't bother yet. So I did it at 70k which they thought was time. A&B have ZF factory hardware that other places don't have for rebuilding ZF transmissions, they know all about ZF transmissions. And as said, I've towed about 15k with a 2.5 tonne (max) off road van. If there's something not right or a bit off with the tranny, finding out early would be better than later IMO.

Fact is that changing fluids is the cheapest insurance for a 4WD. Note that Toyota change their fluids a lot. They promise cheap services but the fluids are added onto one's cost of services, being consumables. In my experience at least (although with one Prado service they did pay for the fluids). The problem IMO with the ZF transmission is that the fluid is so costly and that the fluid needs to be the correct one. Nulon etc. won't do ... But A&B would buy it a lot better than you or I could IMO. And they don't seem to rip off their customers. Not sure now, but at times Repco used to have specials on the proper transmission fluid.

The subject of suitable auto oil has been discussed ad nauseum, but at risk of repeating it and for everyone's benefit to their wallet, some of us have proven beyond doubt that the new Penrite BMV fully synthetic auto oil is a very worthy and suitable substitute for the grossly & ridiculously expensive ZF oil. Available from REPCO in 4 litre containers and vastly cheaper than "genuine" ZF oil. I am told that FUCHS also make a suitable auto oil for the ZF but have not tried it. Who knows, maybe FUCHS (being German/Austrian) make it for ZF???

Originally Posted by Discodicky

The subject of suitable auto oil has been discussed ad nauseum, but at risk of repeating it and for everyone's benefit to their wallet, some of us have proven beyond doubt that the new Penrite BMV fully synthetic auto oil is a very worthy and suitable substitute for the grossly & ridiculously expensive ZF oil. Available from REPCO in 4 litre containers and vastly cheaper than "genuine" ZF oil. I am told that FUCHS also make a suitable auto oil for the ZF but have not tried it. Who knows, maybe FUCHS (being German/Austrian) make it for ZF???

Zf lg fluid is a shell product, I'm also using bmv and note that in UK/Europe that ravenol is used a lot.

Originally Posted by Discodicky

The subject of suitable auto oil has been discussed ad nauseum, but at risk of repeating it and for everyone's benefit to their wallet, some of us have proven beyond doubt that the new Penrite BMV fully synthetic auto oil is a very worthy and suitable substitute for the grossly & ridiculously expensive ZF oil. Available from REPCO in 4 litre containers and vastly cheaper than "genuine" ZF oil. I am told that FUCHS also make a suitable auto oil for the ZF but have not tried it. Who knows, maybe FUCHS (being German/Austrian) make it for ZF???

Thanks for the comments. True I haven't investigated it for some time. I also thought that the 8 speed had different ZF transmission fluids for different versions of the 8 speed?? Or am I confusing that with the engine oil choices? But if that is the case then I'd wonder what matches the 8 speed in a D4? Anyway I had my transmission fluid changed a few months ago at 70k so I don't have to worry for some time ... perhaps by then the ZF product will be price adjusted, I'd imagine that would happen if other fluids are as good but cost much less. If a transmission failed and one tried to get some manufacturer recompense, then I presume one would want to have used an approved for Australia transmission fluid.

Doug

Originally Posted by Discodicky

The subject of suitable auto oil has been discussed ad nauseum, but at risk of repeating it and for everyone's benefit to their wallet, some of us have proven beyond doubt that the new Penrite BMV fully synthetic auto oil is a very worthy and suitable substitute for the grossly & ridiculously expensive ZF oil. Available from REPCO in 4 litre containers and vastly cheaper than "genuine" ZF oil. I am told that FUCHS also make a suitable auto oil for the ZF but have not tried it. Who knows, maybe FUCHS (being German/Austrian) make it for ZF???

Are you talking LG6 or LG8 - the 8 speed does not use LG6 - as we are talking about the ZF 8 speed does the Penrite BMV suit that gearbox?

When statements are made about alternative oils the gearbox it suits needs to be clearly advised as I am not sure what gearbox you are talking about.

Garry

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Are you talking LG6 or LG8 - the 8 speed does not use LG6 - as we are talking about the ZF 8 speed does the Penrite BMV suit that gearbox?

When statements are made about alternative oils the gearbox it suits needs to be clearly advised as I am not sure what gearbox you are talking about.

Garry

BMV will do all 8 & 6 speed versions