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When to change diff and trans case oil

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Old 03-15-2016, 11:08 PM
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Default When to change diff and trans case oil

I have an '04 with only 75K...it's a garage/road trip highway queen. No towing.

I've taken great care of the truck, and it still looks and drives like new. I checked the Ford Maintenance Schedule and it appears the the diff and transfer case fluid doesn't need to be replaced until 150K. Is that correct? Seems like a long stretch to me...the truck is 13 years old too, after all. At a recent dealer "Works" oil change, they recommended it "based on mileage". Three hundred bucks for the "4X4 Service". I told them I'd think about it.

What say you, gentlemen?
Old 03-16-2016, 12:51 AM
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300 bucks just to change your diff and transfer case fluid??
Old 03-16-2016, 04:49 AM
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I tow, so I change mine out every 30K....

Ford advertises "lifetime" oil in the automatic transmission, and 150K for the differential (and for you, a 4x4 owner, the transfer case).

One has to ask, what is meant by "lifetime"?

If you have simple tools and time, it is not hard to change the differential fluid, or the transfer case.

But if you don't use the truck in such a way that would make you worry about these long intervals, then no need to bother.
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Old 03-16-2016, 06:12 AM
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Change mine every 60K unless submerged...
Old 03-16-2016, 07:37 AM
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With the age and mileage, it won't hurt. Only changed mine because accidentally submerged them. Will also give you a chance to check out the guts to ensure all is well. Some very nice write-ups on this forum..
Old 03-16-2016, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 05F150InProgress
300 bucks just to change your diff and transfer case fluid??
If the price were half that, I'd pay it because it's worth my time...but for three hundies I'll do it myself. I did it to a Toyota pickup back in the 80s when I didn't have any money.
Old 03-16-2016, 08:51 PM
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Thanks guys...I'll swap it out within the next month and report my findings.
Old 03-16-2016, 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ByronFordFan
Thanks guys...I'll swap it out within the next month and report my findings.
Sounds good. Super easy to do yourself even if you only have basic tools. When you have your diff covers off think about sanding them down and painting them with some kind of anti-rust paint to protect them. Just my 2 cents.



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