Differential problem Coverage Denied
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 1,068
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.
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.
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...
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...
Short answer:
yes, if Ford comes to the conclusion there is water in your diff and the only logical conclusion is that you drove in deep water, it’s now on you to prove that you didn’t? Sucks but there’s not a lot of ways you can get water in there.
this isn’t the first time I’ve heard of the diff having issues and them stating that water had gotten in and that’s what caused the failure.
i don’t know enough about the diffs to know if there’s another way? I know there’s a breather hose, does the breather hose have a check valve to ensure condensation and water doesn’t go in?
you could always change the axle fluid, save your receipts, and then if you are still having issues take it to another dealer…assuming you didn’t actually drive through water.
yes, if Ford comes to the conclusion there is water in your diff and the only logical conclusion is that you drove in deep water, it’s now on you to prove that you didn’t? Sucks but there’s not a lot of ways you can get water in there.
this isn’t the first time I’ve heard of the diff having issues and them stating that water had gotten in and that’s what caused the failure.
i don’t know enough about the diffs to know if there’s another way? I know there’s a breather hose, does the breather hose have a check valve to ensure condensation and water doesn’t go in?
you could always change the axle fluid, save your receipts, and then if you are still having issues take it to another dealer…assuming you didn’t actually drive through water.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 271
Likes: 92
From: West Virginia
I've seen other threads where people have gotten water in the diffs and swear they didn't drive through deep water. The breather hose points upward, so if any water gets in there from splashing, washing, condensation, etc., it will run straight down into the diff. The diff is mostly filled with air, so I could see how rapid changes in temp and/or humidity might cause condensation inside the diff itself. Also, I suspect it is possible for a pressure washer to force water in past the axle seals. It's common to see some oil seepage from those seals. If 90 weight gear oil can leak out by force of gravity, seems like it would be easy for pressurized water to get in. Of course I'm just guessing on most of this, but all these routes seem very plausible to me. The trouble, of course, is proving that you didn't drive through water.
Moral of the story: regardless of your driving habits and what the manual says, change your diff oil every 30-60,000 miles.
Moral of the story: regardless of your driving habits and what the manual says, change your diff oil every 30-60,000 miles.