Hi all,

2017 F150 King Ranch 3.5 Ecoboost with Ford 100000 mile Ford factory ESP, currently at about 90000 mileage.

I have my truck in the shop now, they have had it since November 1, now 2.5 months. It has been problematic and in the shop a lot, with the Cam Phasers twice, a knock from a wrist pin that needed a complete engine replacement, replacement front driveshaft, both front hubs and IWEs in the past several years.

The recent issue I noticed was that my rear locker would not disengage after I used it maneuvering a trailer in the snow. It was like a solid axle, but the indication would go on/off if I actuated the locker switch. I got it in after a wait of about a month for an appontmement, They finally got back to me, and they say it had water in it, due to the color of the oil inside. It was grey and sort of gummy, from what I can tell.

They said it needed a new carrier, and I think new axles, not sure if it needed a new housing. But then they said they are not going to cover it, because it had water inside. I have of course driven thru puddles and such, but never submerged it as far as I know. It is under the 100000 miles and inside the calendar time of the Ford ESP. I have done regular maintenance, some with Ford, and some with 3rd party vendors, always with the synthetic lubricants and on time.

I strongly believe that I followed all the recommendations for service, and have records to that effect, including scheduled maintenance logged at Ford Dealers (As per my ford app records) 6 times in the last 3 years. I think that they differential fluid is supposed to be changed at 150000 miles. I don't think there is any service recommended for the rear axle, but remember the diff oil level got checked when I go to the Valvoline oil change place that I would use now and then. I have all those paper records but cannot access right now as I'm traveling.

WTF? Can they really deny this when no recommended maintenance was missed? I just got them to give me a number to call, but I think it is just regular Ford Customer Support. How should I handle it?

thx!

 

Who besides the owner of the truck do you suspect put water in the rear differential?

 

Severe operation requires more frequent differential fluid changes

In our example above, Ford recommends changing differential fluid every 150,000 miles in normal service. But they drop the change interval significantly – to every 30,000 miles – when towing frequently at wide-open throttle and driving at temps above 70ºF. Those restrictions apply to just about anyone who’s pulled a camper/boat/trailer anywhere in North America during most of the year.

Bottom line: Use a high-quality synthetic gear lube to maximize your truck’s ability to tow and haul.

 

I don't expect anyone did. Seems to me that if water can get in there, that there should be some recommendation to check it or change it before 150000. If I followed the maint schedule, it seems to me that the warranty, that I paid well for, should cover it.

 

Well, I do have the towing package, but my trailering is pretty much limited to a single axle cargo trailer, that I have used during a house move this past year. Not heavy, not frequent, no boat tow & launch, etc. I certainly do drive it above 70 degrees, I don't know who wouldn't be in that boat, but I live in Colorado, so temps are not severe on the high side.

 

Dealer says rock punched hole in differential, I don't remember hitting a rock, they should warranty.

Just because you don't think you went in water too deep, does not make them believe you.

Read the owner's manual - don't go deeper than the bottoms of the wheel hubs.

Lifting/levelling a truck does NOT change its fording depth. Bigger tires only increase depth by 1/2 the increase in tire size.

 

I get your point, but clear physical damage is not the same. There was no indication of a problem, Ford did a bunch or scheduled maintenance, they didn't pick it up either. There was no deferred maintenance. I never missed a service that I should have done, it just saw normal truck usage, nothing special, no significant towing, boat launches, etc. If is that easy to get water in it, there is a problem with the unit.

So they just told me that they want $4773 dollars to fix this. "new internals, axle shafts, gear assembly, wring and pinion, rear hubs/bearings, plus all associated seals, nuts and bolts" Ford Warranty says that they did not deny the claim, (as the dealer stated), that they have been waiting for more info that they requested from the dealer on December 15. So another month later, they tell me one thing but the Warranty people tell me another. It is super frustrating, that I've been without the vehicle for so long, and they haven't done anything. There are multiple issues here.

How much should a new rear locker cost?

 

I guess I am confused on if there was some sort of physical damage? What's this about a rock?
Damage is a whole different thing and of course will never be covered by an ESP. If no damage then one certainly has to ask how (or maybe even IF) water got in there.
My son had a similar issue with a Ranger that was one of his business vehicles, he drove it mainly but his employees drove it also. Long story short, the whole rear end needed replaced due to water intrusion. He knows he never did any driving in deep water, and his employees swear they didn't...so, how'd the water get in there? Ford didn't warranty that even though the truck had less than 24,000 miles on it.
Good luck, it is a tough pill to swallow, those huge repair bills...

 

If the damage is owner caused I wouldn't think they would submit the claim at all to Ford. This sucks to be sure but I am with Ford on this one. I suggest you get the truck back and take it to a 3rd party for an independent analysis and most likely will be a lot cheaper to repair.

 

You know that warning in the owner's manual that says don't drive in water higher than the center of the wheel hubs, this is why. Folks only think about the depth of water to not go in the engine but never consider the differential. This is why the Tremors and Raptors have an extended vent tube.

Yes they can deny warranty because there is water in the differential just like they would if you drove through deep water and hydro locked the engine.