Ok I posted before about the speedometer and odometer not working, flashing OD lite and no gears when the truck felt it didn't need them. Well, the general conclusion to my problems was the VSS. So I changed it out for a new one. While changeing it out I noticed that on the old sensor small sand like granuals of metal mixed with the now graying rear end lube. HOW BAD IS THIS ???????? By the way the truck seems to be working just fine now.

 

What is a VSS and where is it located? My tranny seems to take a long time to shift into 4th gear, could be the problem. OD light did the flashing on and off thing for awhile. Probably should check the "VSS" out. Thanks MikeyP:

 

Its located on the driver side front of the rear differential. Right above the drive shaft. Its a Ford only part ( so I was told) and cost $22.00. 5 minute job to change.

 

How many miles? A fluid change wouldn't hurt.

If your speedo works, the VSS is fine. There is a trouble code however if your light is flashing and you need to get it read.


Adrianspeeder

 

The truck has 88000 mile on it. I was reading in the owners manual that the rear end lube is lifetime due to the type of lube used by the factory. Of course I know this is BS. Besides Motor Craft fluids any other name brand lubes worth useing? If I remove the rear cover from the differential how much fluid am i looking at replaceing ? The manual reads 5.5 pints.

 

I hear Royal Purple makes some good stuff.

 

on a '97-'03 f150 the vss is on the driver's side of the tail shaft housing of the transmission. the one on the diff is just an abs sensor and shouldn't have anything to do with the way it shifts.

if the speedo works the vss can still be bad. the o/d light will flash with an intermittent reading even if the speedo still seems to be working fine.

as for chips of metal in the rear end that is normal. when you change the rear end fluid you should get a dial guage to check the backlash between the pinion and ring gear. it's actually a pretty easy thing to do. if your rear end is limited slip make sure to add some friction modifier or you will have rear end problems. the recomended for the rear end is something like 75w140 synthetic which is a little bit pricey and pointless to use. any 80w90 gear oil will work fine.

on the '96 and older fords the vss was the sensor on the rear diff which also did the abs.