Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 330

2. Loosen pan bolts and tap the pan at one corner to break it loose allowing fluid to drain, then remove the 

oil pan.  

3. Install a new filter and o-ring on bottom of the valve body and tighten retaining screws to 5 N.m (45 in. 

lbs.). 

4. Clean the oil pan and magnet. Reinstall pan using new Mopar® Silicone Adhesive sealant. Tighten oil 

pan bolts to 20 N.m (14.5 ft. lbs.).  

5. Pour four quarts of Mopar® ATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid, through the dipstick opening.  

6. Start engine and allow to idle for at least one minute. Then, with parking and service brakes applied, 

move selector lever momentarily to each position, ending in the park or neutral position.  

7. Check the transmission fluid level and add an appropriate amount to bring the transmission fluid level to 

3mm (1/8 in.) below the lowest mark on the dipstick.  

8. Recheck the fluid level after the transmission has reached normal operating temperature, 82°C (180°F).  

9. To prevent dirt from entering transmission, make certain that dipstick is fully seated into the dipstick 

opening.  

1 - FRONT DRIVESHAFT
2 - PRESSURE PORTS
3 - TRANSMISSION CASE
4 - TRANSMISSION OIL PAN
5 - SECOND TRANSMISSION OIL PAN BOLT ON LEFT 
SIDE
6 - FIRST TRANSMISSION OIL PAN BOLT

NOTE:

One of the oil pan bolts (5) has a sealing patch applied from the factory. 
Separate this bolt for reuse.

NOTE:

Before installing the oil pan bolt (5) in the bolt hole located between the 
torque converter clutch on and U/D clutch pressure tap circuits, it will be 
necessary to replenish the sealing patch on the bolt using Mopar® Lock & 
Seal Adhesive. See Fig. 150.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 42RLE - Service Information - Nitro

  

INSTALLATION 

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 

Fig. 83: Checking Torque Converter Seating 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Check torque converter hub and hub drive flats for sharp edges burrs, scratches, or nicks. Polish the hub 

and flats with 320/400 grit paper and crocus cloth if necessary. Verify that the converter hub o-ring is 
properly installed and is free of any debris. The hub must be smooth to avoid damaging pump seal at 
installation.  

2. If a replacement transmission is being installed, transfer any components necessary, such as the manual 

shift lever and shift cable bracket, from the original transmission onto the replacement transmission.  

3. Lubricate oil pump seal lip with transmission fluid. 

1 - SCALE
2 - STRAIGHTEDGE

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 42RLE - Service Information - Nitro

  

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 42RLE - Service Information - Nitro

  

4. Align converter and oil pump.  

5. Carefully insert converter in oil pump. Then rotate converter back and forth until fully seated in pump 

gears.  

6. Check converter seating with steel scale (1) and straightedge (2). Surface of converter lugs should be at 

least 13mm (1/2 in.) to rear of straightedge when converter is fully seated. See Fig. 83.  

7. Temporarily secure converter with C-clamp. 

Fig. 84: Locating Input Speed, Output Speed and Transmission Range Sensors 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

8. Position transmission on jack and secure it with chains.  

9. Check condition of converter driveplate. Replace the plate if cracked, distorted or damaged. Also be sure 

transmission dowel pins are seated in engine block and protrude far enough to hold transmission in 

1 - INPUT SPEED SENSOR
2 - OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR
3 - TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 42RLE - Service Information - Nitro

  

alignment.  

10. Apply a light coating of MOPAR® High Temp Grease to the torque converter hub pocket in the rear 

pocket of the engine's crankshaft.  

11. Raise transmission and align the torque converter with the drive plate and transmission converter housing 

with the engine block.  

12. Move transmission forward. Then raise, lower or tilt transmission to align the converter housing with 

engine block dowels.  

13. Carefully work transmission forward and over engine block dowels until converter hub is seated in 

crankshaft. Verify that no wires, or the transmission vent hose, have become trapped between the engine 
block and the transmission.  

14. Install two bolts to attach the transmission to the engine.  

15. Install remaining torque converter housing to engine bolts. Tighten to 68 N.m (50 ft.lbs.).  

16. Install transfer case, if equipped. Tighten transfer case nuts to 35 N.m (26 ft.lbs.).  

17. Install rear transmission crossmember. Tighten crossmember to frame bolts to 68 N.m (50 ft.lbs.).  

18. Install rear support to transmission. Tighten bolts to 47 N.m (35 ft.lbs.).  

19. Lower transmission onto crossmember and install bolts attaching transmission mount to crossmember. 

Tighten clevis bracket to crossmember bolts to 47 N.m (35 ft.lbs.). Tighten the clevis bracket to rear 
support bolt to 68 N.m (50 ft.lbs.).  

20. Remove engine support fixture.  

21. Connect gearshift cable to support bracket and transmission manual lever.  

22. Connect input (1) and output speed sensor (3) wires.  

23. Connect wires to the transmission range sensor (3).  

24. Connect wires to the Variable Line Pressure (VLP) electrical connector. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 42RLE - Service Information - Nitro