8-Speed Automatic Transmission Assembly for 2017-2018 Land Rover Range Rover, Rover Sport

A quick look at your own vehicle makes sure the right transmission shows up:

• Verify the 8th digit of your VIN is 'E' or 'T' to confirm a 5.0L Supercharged V8 engine.
• Locate the metal ID tag on the driver's side of the transmission case and confirm it displays ZF 8HP70.
• Confirm the vehicle is All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with a twin-speed transfer case.

What the install really takes — plan and budget with confidence:

Special tools this job needs:

• Transmission jack
• Engine support bar
• JLR-compatible diagnostic scan tool (Pathfinder, SDD, GAP IIDTool, or Autel)
• E-Torx sockets
• Fluid transfer pump

Budget for these consumables at install:

• Genuine ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid (or Land Rover specification LR023288 / LR023289)
• New plastic transmission oil pan with integrated filter and gasket
• New one-time-use mounting bolts
• Torque converter seal (front pump input shaft seal)
• High-pressure cooler-line flush solvent

What your vehicle’s computers will need after the swap:

What’s involved: Security/Immobilizer Re-marriage, VIN-Specific Programming, and TCM Adaptive Relearn

The TCM is part of the vehicle's anti-theft immobilizer system. A used transmission will have the donor vehicle's VIN and security keys locked. If installed without programming, the vehicle will not start or will lock in Park. Options: 1) Swap your original undamaged Mechatronic unit into the replacement transmission (no programming required). 2) Have a specialist bench-clone the TCM. 3) Program the replacement TCM using factory JLR software.

Pro tips for a smooth first start-up — hand them to whoever does the install:

• Torque Converter Seating: Ensure the torque converter is fully seated (three distinct clicks/drops) before bolting to the engine. Forcing it will crush the oil pump gear and destroy the transmission instantly.
• Fluid Fill Procedure & Temperature: Fluid level must be checked with the engine running, vehicle level, and fluid temperature strictly between 30°C and 50°C (86°F to 122°F). Checking outside this range results in incorrect levels.
• Cooler Bypass Valve: Ensure the transmission is warm enough to open the thermal bypass valve during filling/flushing to prevent air pockets and underfilling.
• Emergency Park Release (EPR): Ensure the EPR lever on the side of the case is properly adjusted and in the correct position after installation.
• Mechatronics Sealing Sleeve: If swapping your original Mechatronics unit, replace the rubber sealing sleeves between the valve body and case to prevent internal pressure leaks.

Easy to get right once you know them:

• Ordering for the wrong engine: Buying a 5.0L V8 transmission for a 3.0L V6 or 3.0L Diesel vehicle (bellhousing, torque converter, and calibrations differ).
• Reusing a contaminated cooler: Failing to flush or replace the cooler after a failure, which immediately contaminates and ruins the replacement unit.
• Expecting plug-and-play operation without programming: Attempting to run the vehicle without swapping the Mechatronics unit, cloning, or programming the TCM.
• Using incorrect fluid: Using generic multi-vehicle ATF instead of genuine ZF Lifeguard 8.
• Reusing the old plastic transmission pan: Reusing a warped pan or failing to replace the integrated filter.
• Filling fluid with the engine off: Filling with the engine off leaves the unit drastically underfilled, burning up clutches on the first test drive.

Not issues with the units on this page — the manufacturer documented these for every transmission of this family, wherever you buy one. Handy for your installer: