cordeiro72

Few questions I just bought this truck.

Question 1
The rear axles seem to have some play if I push in and pull out on tires what could this be? Also the gear oil in rear end is black in color. Could it be the outer axel bearings? Could the the rear end be shot? It seems to drive fine.

Question 2
How do you check the fluid in the auto transmission? Yes it sounds simple just have to be sure. So if you check level on dipstick on a cold not running engine it should be on the cold mark on dipstick or should it be higher? With the truck running on a warm engine the fluid on my truck shows it is a little low it seems to shift alot up and down It never did that before but I added a few quarts of ATF and it started doing that so now not sure if it too low still or too full? I was going to add more fluid till it's in the crosshatch mark "hot" on the dipstick but don't want to over fill. I just to be sure.

Question 3
Truck seems to have alot of play in steering it seems tight but also seems sloppy and need to be correcting the steering wheel alot especially at higher highway speeds. On bumpy roads it really bad I'm all over. I got the front end checked they say it looks pretty straight. Any ideas? Could it be the steering box or Power steering pump? Any help to my questions would be great thanks!!!

MONSTERPRE

this is not 3 questions...this is a MILLION questions, LMAO!!


1A. The rear axles seem to have some play if I push in and pull out on tires what could this be?

NORMAL. you have a C-clip that holds them in the diff that naturally has that play in the shaft.

1B. Also the gear oil in rear end is black in color. Could it be the outer axel bearings?

Not the bearings, you just need to change the axle gear oil...it sounds waaaay overdue!

1C. Could the the rear end be shot? It seems to drive fine.

The rear end is just fine, but change that oil out asap. be sure to use the LSD oil additive in the oil so you don't blow the clutch packs.

2A. How do you check the fluid in the auto transmission?

I ALWAYS check my oil with the engine and trans warmed up to normal opperating temp. The engine must be running to properly check the trans oil.

2B. So if you check level on dipstick on a cold not running engine it should be on the cold mark on dipstick or should it be higher?

The engine must be running to check the oil, or your reading will be off!!

2C. With the truck running on a warm engine the fluid on my truck shows it is a little low it seems to shift alot up and down It never did that before but I added a few quarts of ATF and it started doing that so now not sure if it too low still or too full? I was going to add more fluid till it's in the crosshatch mark "hot" on the dipstick but don't want to over fill. I just to be sure.

TOOO FULL...you only add "quarts" to top it off if there is no reading on the dipstick, you add maybe an 1/8 quart at a time to top it off. If the transmission temp is NOT HOT, do not fill it to the ### mark. Also, did you get the correct Trans Fluid that meets FORD requirements? If wrong fluid you can blow internal trans seals.


3. Any ideas? Could it be the steering box or Power steering pump?

who did you take it too...it sounds like they don't know how to TEST a steering setup. Start with having someone move the steering wheel right to left 3-6 inches to see if you are getting instant movement from your pitman arm(the little arm that is attached to the steering box). While they are moving the steering wheel put your entire hand over all the tie rods to feel for play or knocking. Check the bolts that connect the steering box to the steering wheel shaft. Check the rubber damper next to the previous bolts mentioned. Check the steering wheel shaft for play at the telescopic section about 12" towards the firewall from the steering box.




I hope this works for ya.

cordeiro72

Well I and a buddy of mine figured that the fluid was probably the original stuff as the truck has 170,000 kms on it.

The only reason I added that much fluid was because with the tranny warmed up no fluid was showing up on the dipstick so I started adding to bring it up. It shifted fine before I added fluid but I believe it was too low, but now with it shifting the way it is I'm hoping it's not too full but according to the dipstick with a hot engine it is still showing it in the cold area. So I figure I should keep adding a little till it's in the crosshatch hot area. I'm using what it says on the dipstick it says Dexron III Mercon is this correct or should I be using something else. I'm gonna flush and change all the fluids on the truck in the spring so it just for the time being but I don't want to damage anything in the meantime by using the wrong stuff.

I took it to an OK Tire shop. I guess I need to take it to Ford and get it checked out, I can't see a wheel alignment acting like that it seems like the steering has play but its not shaking or anything and it tires turn with minimal steering wheel turn. It all the steering corrections while driving that is a concern to me. Thanks for you help!!

dewman

In my experience with these trucks, they don't have the tightest steering boxes.

Mowillie

I have the exact same truck you have and my steering is also loose. I will be replacing my tie rods and draglink this weekend. get under the front end and either with your hand or put some channel-locks on one of the tie-rod ends and see if you can move it back and forth. basically rolling it towards the front of the truck to the back. if so, replace the whole thing.

do you have an aftermarket lift and bigger tires? i didnt read if you did.

i picked up all the parts for that for about 120.

cordeiro72

No lift just have 31 inch tires I just got this truck a month ago never had a ford truck before so wasn't sure if that was normal or not I know the previous owner changed a tie rod about 6 months prior to selling it to me so not sure about anything else right now.I want to do work myself but pretty cold here right now

Mowillie

"a tie rod" ??? should have changed it all at the same time. like i said, get under and see if you have any play. also check you radius arm bushings.

cordeiro72

Well not sure maybe they did more than just a tie rod but that is what they told me. I will have to check it out as you have explained and see if I find anything loose or not looking right. The tire shop said it looked like the radius arm bushings were changed but maybe only on one side it pretty cold around hear to be working on anything outside right now. Thanks for the help.

cordeiro72

Well I finally was able to get a better look at my truck. First the steering box look a little rusty is this a big job to change, can you make any adjustments to it or is it just easier to replace it? The tie rods look ok from what I checked. The transmission problem is still there is shows that it is right in the middle of the crosshatched area at hot temp with the engine running. I know that your suppose to check the transmission fluid with a hot engine, but if I check the trans fluid on a completely cold engine the fluid mark on the dip stick shows alot higher. Is this ok or does it only matter when you check the fluid on a warm engine and use that reading?

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

There is no cold mark on an automatic transmission dipstick. Check at normal operating temperature only. You can't check it cold.