As I posted in another thread here I have a whine that appears to be coming from the back end in my 07 F150.

The dealer wants me to have the rear transfer case serviced at a cost of about 160 bucks. The truck has 30k miles so it is within the original 36k bumper to bumper warranty, within the original 60k drivetrain warranty, and I have a 100k PremiumCare extended warranty on the truck also.

Why am I paying 160 bucks to have this fixed? It is not a part that wears out (tires or brake pads) and its not a scheduled maintenance so why am I paying for it?

Should I be paying for it?

I am thinking of just not having this done and letting whatever the problem is get worse until something breaks at which point they will have to fix that under warranty.

I should also mention that a good part of my reluctance to have this work done is that I don't think this is going to resolve my problem. It feels like its a random way they can charge me money without actually identifying or fixing the problem. Actually if they would do the work, and the noise was gone afterward, and still gone when i went in for my next oil change I would gladly pay the 160 dollars at that time.....but im guessing they wont go for that.

Your thoughts?

 

If you mean the rear differential fluid I didn't think it was supposed to be changed yet at 30k miles....yeah they try to tell you if it's something to do with a part that needs fluid changed they want to blame it on that. You can check to see if it's low. If not then tell them they are crazy. Or take to another dealer.

 

I called them up....they said that the clutch packs need to be lubricated and so there is a special synthetic additive that needs to go in to 'quiet them down'.

He said this was normal maintenance since there is a fluid and it breaks down over time. He couldnt tell me where "servicing the rear diff" was listed as scheduled maintenance but insisted it was and that if the problem persisted then ford would cover the repair and any subsequent fluid changes in the diff related to the repair i guess for this first time it is considered maintenance?

I then googled f150 clutch packs and it sounds like ford has had problems in the past with these (mostly in like 04-05?) and like they might have changed the spec for the gear oil you are supposed to use, and it sounds like they might have added a synthetic additive to the list of things ur supposed to put in there.

 

x2!!!!

 

called another dealership in the state and they also indicated that a rear diff service would not be covered under warranty. It is not listed as scheduled maintenance (that I have seen, will re-consult my actual manual tonight) but she said there is a part of the manual that describes "extreme conditions". Extreme conditions I think are defined as towing and stuff but this dealership said they consider all trucks to be "extreme conditions" due to the new england weather. Anyway allegedly in this extreme conditions maintenance they say you should have your diff service done every 30k.

 

Sounds like a line they use just to be able to charge you. I have never heard of just living in a certian region would be extreme conditions. I live in Southeast Texas, HOT SUMMERS and salty air. Right on the Gulf Coast. We have Extreme conditions here, but when I had rear end problems around 35k miles I took it to the dealer and they replaced the ring and pinion under warranty and never said anything about having to do a rear diff service. I would contact Ford Co. and see what they say, or check a third dealer. Where I live there about 6 within 30 miles of me.

 

I tried calling Ford today and couldnt get anyone who would do anything other than read the list of "covered components" to me..

 

Well its only in the schedule maintiance for "extreme conditions". Just like the dealerships recommened changing the tranny fliud at 30k, but in the manual it says under normal circumstances the tranny fluid is lifetime fluid/150K.

Personally I think they may be screwing you. I have never seen that in the manual...but I know the dealerships really push it if they are doing the service. So unless this is a work vehicle, they should step up to it. Just my two cents

 

In the manual, Ford specified extreme conditions


The Dealer is trying to avoid warranty work. Plain and simple. In the front of your Owners Manual, there is a 1-800 #

Call and officially lodge a complaint against your Dealership. The rear axle is service free. So if it making noises, they are required to fix it

 

Even for Police & Taxi service they say, change at 100K intervals due to it being filled with Synthetic Fluid!