Got stuck in some water the other day. Looking for input on what to keep an eye on/change.

[EazyCheezy]

Hey all, apologies if this is the wrong thread as this is my first post.

I need some advice on what to lookout for/what fluids I should preemptively change as I'm trying to avoid a potentially devastating repair. I'm driving a stock Black Diamond and accidentally veered off-course, getting it stuck in some sand/clay/water and part of the vehicle was submerged no deeper than 24" at the most and I was on an incline/angle (see pictures). I was stuck for about an hour and learned a valuable lesson about having recovery gear in the process. My Bronco is driving fine and nothing broke.

Luckily, the alternator seems fine (no sign of the water level getting that high). I thoroughly washed out ALL the sand from the underside. My rear diff was not submerged, but I think the 10 Speed Auto transmission was to an extent. Take a look at the pics and let me know. I just wanna know if I need to spend a few hundred on all oil changes instead of waiting for something to happen and spending a few thousand. Feel free to ask me any questions, thanks!

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[flip]

Pull your air filter and check for water/mud intrusion into the air box. It's probably going to have a bunch of crap in it so make sure you've got a replacement handy. Clean box out with damp rags.

Vents are above where you were stuck so I wouldn't be real concerned about water intrusion there. I would invest in a pressure washer with something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Daily-D...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[E. Davis]

Is this coastal / salt / brackish water? If so I would be immediately and thoroughly washing everything down with fresh water.

 

[dgorsett]

Like flip said it looks like your gear case vents are higher than the water But you should check differential and transfer case lube through their plugs. Oil is lighter than water so it will float to the top, but if driven a while with water in it it will turn milky. As new as Broncos are the lube should look nice and oily or at worst black, if milky change it out

 

[Rednek]

check your front/rear diff fluids and t/case fluids as the vehicle was sitting until cooled off and may have pulled water in

 

[defiant2]

As others have mentioned, if salt water involved, rinse^3! Drive through some fresh water puddles at enough of a speed to splash off the underside good (but not enough to hydroplane or veer off the road (again, in your case!)!

If just fresh water? Rinse it off and enjoy. At least from the photos you posted, I've seen them go through far worse, including at the Off Rodeos.

Best!

 

[EazyCheezy]

check your front/rear diff fluids and t/case fluids as the vehicle was sitting until cooled off and may have pulled water in

Do you have any recommended guides for the front diff? I can't seem to find anything online.

 

[EazyCheezy]

Is this coastal / salt / brackish water? If so I would be immediately and thoroughly washing everything down with fresh water.

Fresh water and yeah, already did that haha

 

[EazyCheezy]

As others have mentioned, if salt water involved, rinse^3! Drive through some fresh water puddles at enough of a speed to splash off the underside good (but not enough to hydroplane or veer off the road (again, in your case!)!

If just fresh water? Rinse it off and enjoy. At least from the photos you posted, I've seen them go through far worse, including at the Off Rodeos.

Best!

That's relieving to hear, thanks!

 

[E. Davis]

Fresh water and yeah, already did that haha

Sounds good. I can't tell you how many people I see at the boat launch dipping the back end of their vehicles into the salt water up to the top of their rear brake rotors. Makes me cringe, they will regret doing that, after a few months of corrosion binds up the brakes and causes all kinds of other havoc.

 

[Rednek]

Do you have any recommended guides for the front diff? I can't seem to find anything online.

do you have shift on fly t/c or advanced(auto)?

 

[EazyCheezy]

do you have shift on fly t/c or advanced(auto)?

On the Fly so I just have the locking rear differential.

 

[Rednek]

1. Remove the engine rear undershield.
   Refer to: Engine Rear Undershield (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).

1. If equipped.
   Remove the retainers and the front fender splash shield.

1. Remove and discard the front differential fill plug.

1. Check and top off the differential with clean differential gear lubricant.
   Material: Motorcraft® SAE 80W-90 Premium Axle Lubricant / Lubrifiant pour essieux de très haute qualité SAE 80W-90 Motorcraft® / CXY-80W90-1L (WSP-M2C197-A)

1. Make sure the front differential lubricant level should be to the bottom of fluid fill plug opening.

 

[EazyCheezy]

Awesome thank you so much. Is the diff plug an OEM part or can I just get a replacement? I'm familiar with working on vehicles just not well-equipped off-roaders.

 

[Rednek]

wouldn't worry too much about the plug on a low millage unit,just use a little blue locktite on threads

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