Help! Need some tranny/differential advise ASAP

[ssmike]

Hi all, I am hoping someone has heard of a similar situation as to the following: I have an 03 f-150 S'Crew XLT 2wd. 73K Miles. Bone stock except a new CAI and shock upgrade. Runs perfect, not a single problem either under the factory warranty or since..... My wife usually drives the truck around town. She went to Jiffy Lube today (1/2 mile from my house) for an Oil change on the way home from work. Jiffy Lube claimed that the rear differential fluid was extremely low. They contend they filled it back up (for no additional cost). After the service, she pulls onto the street and immediately knows something is wrong. Truck is jerking and seizing, acting funny. Tach and speedo are surging. She drives it the half mile home. When I see it, the transmission will not function. When you move the gear select shifter, nothing happens. Its totally siezed. Will not roll. In fact, AAA can't even load it onto the flatbed b/c the rear axle wont roll. Had to call out the old school tow truck. I tried to roll it back out of my driveway and the overdrive indicator light is flashing (on the shifter). I assume this is an error code warning. I had to tow it to the FORD dealer and won't know anything until Monday morning. Both the differential case and the filler plug are completely clean, so it is clear that fluid had not been leaking. Can this fluid burn up over time (A la motor oil)?? Ford told me that this was not even something to check until 100K miles. Any ideas? Can anyone direct me as to what to tell the SA on Monday morning to check? Putting aside everything technical, it seems beyond the possibility of coincidence to drive a perfectly running truck into Jiffy Lube and have the tranny/differential take a dump a half an hour later..... HELP! TIA.

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[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Can anyone direct me as to what to tell the SA on Monday morning to check?

Without trying to be smart, you should tell the SA that the truck won't roll. If they can't diagnose this in under 10 minutes they aren't trying. That's their job.

[RacingJake]

I'd start with Jiffy lube and find out what type of rear axle oil was used and did they add some friction modifier additive too. Sounds like they used the no charge fee cheap dino oil ??

My 02 owners book calls for motorcraft 75w-140 synthetic oil and also 4oz of friction modifier c8az-19b546-a.

I'd also check the trans and engine oil level too cause you'll never know??

[ssmike]

Thanks for the replies. First thing tomorrow am, I am going to visit with the Ford tech at the dealer and figure out what is in the differential case...

I am not looking to blame Jiffy Lube no matter what but it doesnt seem like this is a huge timing coincidence.