ZF 8HP Gearbox servicing

Sean1ucc

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As with BMW, Audi claim sealed for life box but ZF recommend service interval of 50-60k. Had a look through the ZF website for authorised servicing garages but only turned up one that doesn't deal with passenger vehicles.

From reading around I understand that the oil change is tricky for this box as it requires a specialist bit of equipment to flush the old oil out. For refilling gearbox temp must be monitored through vcds/vagcom or using an ir temp sensor.

Has anyone had this gearbox serviced and could they point me in the direction of a garage please?
 

swansty

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From reading about it in a landrover application, the ZF8 is particularly tricky compared to the ZF6 due to the way it routes under temperature control. You could try Gardner Transmissions
 

Sean1ucc

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Yes that's one of extra steps in them along with the flush device required. I will give Gardner a call and see if they have done them before.

The other crowd I came across was eurofit-ni as they have the equipment but couldn't find much about them
 

ChrisL

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Jonny @ AI was going to do the ZF on my Jag but I sold it before it went in.

Not too bad a job and definately worth doing, no gearbox should be sealed for life. Then reset the adaptions once its done.

I found Bristol Transmissions the cheapest for the proper kit.

I think @Cro did his own zf gearbox flush on his 335d so might be worth speaking to him also.
 

Cro

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Jonny @ AI was going to do the ZF on my Jag but I sold it before it went in.

Not too bad a job and definately worth doing, no gearbox should be sealed for life. Then reset the adaptions once its done.

I found Bristol Transmissions the cheapest for the proper kit.

I think @Cro did his own zf gearbox flush on his 335d so might be worth speaking to him also.

Aye I did mine, needed the bmw software to do it as well as a relearn afterwards
 

ChrisL

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I was booked in to get mine done at around 60k.

I think Cro was over 100k when he did the one on his 335d
 

Cro

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What mileage did you get it done at and what was the cost?
Yeah it was over 100k when I did mine. Not 100% sure on cost, it wasn't bad anyway because I got everything I needed from Bavarian. Anything I read up on it was a must to use the genuine fluid, I remember it needing a serious amount of it plus a new pan/filter
It was the cycling and emptying of the torque converter from memory that gets the extra litre and a half out. Some places just drain and fill and not worry about the remains
Night and day to the gearbox after, plus a relearn. Relearn is a time consuming pain
 

Sean1ucc

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Yeah it was over 100k when I did mine. Not 100% sure on cost, it wasn't bad anyway because I got everything I needed from Bavarian. Anything I read up on it was a must to use the genuine fluid, I remember it needing a serious amount of it plus a new pan/filter
It was the cycling and emptying of the torque converter from memory that gets the extra litre and a half out. Some places just drain and fill and not worry about the remains
Night and day to the gearbox after, plus a relearn. Relearn is a time consuming pain

Did you have to take it to BMW to get the relearn protocol initiated? Just had a read up on what needs to be run through and it does seem tedious. How long did it take and did you have to find a stretch of straight motorway/dual carriageway to be able to complete?

I'm coming up on 60k soon so was planning on getting done it then
 

Cro

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Did you have to take it to BMW to get the relearn protocol initiated? Just had a read up on what needs to be run through and it does seem tedious. How long did it take and did you have to find a stretch of straight motorway/dual carriageway to be able to complete?

I'm coming up on 60k soon so was planning on getting done it then
No I have the bmw software so it was handy enough. Time wise probably the guys of 45mins and yeah I used a ‘private road’ which was single carriageway but long straight flat and quiet
 

Sean1ucc

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No I have the bmw software so it was handy enough. Time wise probably the guys of 45mins and yeah I used a ‘private road’ which was single carriageway but long straight flat and quiet

Ah right, guessing I'll need the garage to have VCDS to be able to reset the values as I don't have it. Do you reckon they would take it through the relearn process as well?

Did you do the actual service yourself also?
 

Cro

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Ah right, guessing I'll need the garage to have VCDS to be able to reset the values as I don't have it. Do you reckon they would take it through the relearn process as well?

Did you do the actual service yourself also?

Yeah I usually do all my own stuff. Not sure if the likes of a snapon machine can reset but a lot of independent garages have VCDS so I don't see why they wouldn't do it all for you. Someone like @BBSBOY knows his way around audi's relatively well might be worth asking him
 

swansty

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@60k miles a drain and top up would prob do well and then plan a complete flush about 100k
 

Sean1ucc

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An interim job like that with filter change may see me out, don't intend on keeping it up to the 100k mark. Without a full flush is it still necessary to do the relearn procedure?
 

swansty

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I don’t believe it to be necessary even with a full flush bit I’m not 100%
 
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