60k mile fluids change - results & observations

[jsoa]

is the MT transmission fluid as simple as drain and refill? Perhaps I was reading about auto transmission that confused me and thus have not changed it yet.

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[Brian_B]

is the MT transmission fluid as simple as drain and refill? Perhaps I was reading about auto transmission that confused me and thus have not changed it yet.

Yup

 

[JaredH790]

I changed all of my fluids (obviously engine oil is changed much more frequently) at 50k miles ... front diff, rear diff, transfer case, and trans flushed (Ford dealership for this). I did it all but the trans flush and nothing looked bad, but better safe than sorry. I will do it all again at 100K. I think the Ford recommended interval for these items ensures you replace all the hard parts along with the new oil at 150k. Each to their own ... I like what I am doing with mine!

 

[jsoa]

sorry to bug you again, can you link the transmission fluid you used, don't want to use the wrong stuff, thank you!

 

[Brian_B]

sorry to bug you again, can you link the transmission fluid you used, don't want to use the wrong stuff, thank you!

This is the the 7MT

 

[BertieMoss]

Seeing that kind of metal grit so soon would have me checking fluids more often too. Fresh fluid has saved my bacon more than once, and I’ve gotten into the habit of comparing color and feel every time I drain anything. I’m picky about what I pour into my vehicles as well; honda engine oil has treated me well in my other ride, so I stick with quality stuff across the board.

 

[BlueWaffle]

Ford engineers their products with the overall goal of 95% of them lasting 150k miles (this is direct from a retired Ford engineer, the man responsible for the creation of the FX4 package)

Obviously deciding what the maintenance schedule will be is part of engineering.. but the marketing department has an ever increasing amount of say in it..

With how expensive life has became in the past 20 years or so, more manufacturers are going with either extremely high mile interval or so-called "lifetime" fluids simply because 'low cost of ownership' is becoming more and more important & appealing to prospective buyers.

If an individual wants a longer than average useful life of their Ford vehicle, it's in their best interest to change all their fluids much more frequently than what Lord Henry recommends. Plain and simple.

 

[Red2000]

Ford engineers their products with the overall goal of 95% of them lasting 150k miles (this is direct from a retired Ford engineer, the man responsible for the creation of the FX4 package)

Obviously deciding what the maintenance schedule will be is part of engineering.. but the marketing department has an ever increasing amount of say in it..

With how expensive life has became in the past 20 years or so, more manufacturers are going with either extremely high mile interval or so-called "lifetime" fluids simply because 'low cost of ownership' is becoming more and more important & appealing to prospective buyers.

If an individual wants a longer than average useful life of their Ford vehicle, it's in their best interest to change all their fluids much more frequently than what Lord Henry recommends. Plain and simple.

Well said. To add to the conversation for new owners not familiar with changing vehicle fluids, the owners manual has the maintenance schedule and fluid specifications that they can refer to for the stock vehicle as a baseline.

 

[BlueWaffle]

Well said. To add to the conversation for new owners not familiar with changing vehicle fluids, the owners manual has the maintenance schedule and fluid specifications that they can refer to for the stock vehicle as a baseline.

Baseline schedule IMO should be what most manufacturers recommended/required 2 decades ago.

5-7.5k engine oil & 50-75k for trans/case/diffs.


Ill be right around 45k miles by the time I have my bronco serviced again.. im gonna have them do everything but the brake juice and coolant.


I kinda laugh at the 'low cost of ownership' worries people have too when buying something brand new honestly.. because if we're being realistic.. paying for 2x as much fluid changes as Ford recommends isn't even THAT big of an expense if someone can't afford to cut fords schedule in half... Theyre definitely stretching themselves financially by purchasing a brand new vehicle.

Such is the American way though gotta chase status and use allllllllll the credit banks will give ya..

 

[23OBX2.7]

Baseline schedule IMO should be what most manufacturers recommended/required 2 decades ago.

5-7.5k engine oil & 50-75k for trans/case/diffs.


Ill be right around 45k miles by the time I have my bronco serviced again.. im gonna have them do everything but the brake juice and coolant.


I kinda laugh at the 'low cost of ownership' worries people have too when buying something brand new honestly.. because if we're being realistic.. paying for 2x as much fluid changes as Ford recommends isn't even THAT big of an expense if someone can't afford to cut fords schedule in half... Theyre definitely stretching themselves financially by purchasing a brand new vehicle.

Such is the American way though gotta chase status and use allllllllll the credit banks will give ya..

Should definitely get the brakes done. Midas well throw an Alcon brake upgrade while they're in there haha. I'd do coolant at 45-60k.

Fresh fluids are the life blood of vehicle ....

 

[KPLOBX]

Got around to the 60k service and change out of all the fluids.

FDU had been changed at 50k for troubleshooting
The rear end was changed at 25k
The T-Case and 7MT changed at 15k

The last time I changed the FDU it looked nasty - tons of metal wear (no shavings, just sand). And about 5k miles ago I went from 35" to 38" tires, so I was expecting the worst.

But it looked fine - almost brand new in fact. Very little metal wear. On the rear end too - which had many more miles on it. Both looked great, the fluid was still mostly transparent (synth 75-140)

The T-case and transmission looked ok as well - no fluid analysis, obviously, the fluid had darkened in both a good bit, but nothing unusual. The fluid change did help the rough shift into 2nd gear I was having - not sure if the fluid was starting to break down or what. Used the same fluid in the 7MT I had used the first change out (Redline MT LV 70/75)

Found one wiring harness pulling loose (passenger parking break). Nothing else of note really.

Has anyone posted a how-to for fluid changes?

 

[SWLABRONCO]

Has anyone posted a how-to for fluid changes?

The driveline fluids are pretty straight forward. The front differential and transfer case both have a drain and fill plug. Pull the fill plug first on each using a 3/8" ratchet and extension. Then pull the drain plugs and drain. Fill both until you get a nice trickle out of the fill hole then let it trickle out until it stops. Install fill plug then your done. The rear differential is a little more involved. Again pull the fill plug first. Then you have to remove the cover off the rear differential. It's 12 bolts and a couple clips holding your brake lines. After the cover is pulled clean everything up with some brake cleaner. The existing gasket on the cover is reusable, so don't tear it up or throw it away. Install the cover back on the differential and fill it until you again get a trickle out of the fill hole. Let it stop trickling and install the fill plug. Done. I recommend getting the Ford performance rear differential cover to replace the original cover. It has a drain plug built into it. This makes future oil changes alot easier. You won't have to remove the cover.
Front differential takes little less than a quart of oil, transfer case takes a little less than 2 quarts of transmission fluid, rear differential takes a little less than 2 quarts of oil. I use Amsoil products for this, but you can use motorcraft products also. Hope I explained everything clearly. Good luck

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