So I took the beast to the dealership for an oil change and

1) Brake Service needed for rear brakes only - about $250 (pads and rotor resurface) Rear pads are at 3mm.

2) Brake Fluid replacement - $90

3) Fuel Filter - $85

4) Both rear axle seals have a minor leak - $350

5) Automatic Transmission fluid replacement - $170

My questions: is this normal for a 5.4L, 4X4 F150 with 30K miles on it? And, is the automatic transmission service needed already and isn't "flushing" it usually not recommended?

 

Wow, $85 for a fuel filter replacement? What's the filter cost, like $15? I wouldn't think it woulda needed new brake fluid yet. I know our F-250's and 350's only get new when we replace the master cylinders, and that's usually just in the reservoirs. They all got between 150K-200K on them.

 

[QUOTE=BlueTank;4278886]So I took the beast to the dealership for an oil change and

1) Brake Service needed for rear brakes only - about $250 (pads and rotor resurface) Rear pads are at 3mm.

2) Brake Fluid replacement - $90

3) Fuel Filter - $85

4) Both rear axle seals have a minor leak - $350

5) Automatic Transmission fluid replacement - $170



Even though I and many others choose to change or even have their transmissions flushed, FORD claims that it is "lift time" fluid so therefore I wonder why the FORD dealer wanted to change it ?
Did you flash a large wad of cash around or something?

As for the fuel filter, $18 dollars tops and a chimpanzee could be trained to change it.

Rear brakes $175-$180 tops.

Axle seals $350, I think I would look elsewhere.


I would shop around if your sure you need those items addressed.

 

I called two other places: one additional stealership and one well reviewed service center and the quotes are within $100 of each other. I wouldn't mind doing the fuel filter but if they are going to have the truck on the lift for the other items...
I have found two places that state the transmission fluid should be changed at 30K miles for this truck (including Ford's online service). The rear seal issue really bothers me.

 

i'd think your rear axle seals would be covered under warranty at 30k. seems pretty early to go out. then again, i haven't had one of these trucks before so i don't know if that's a common problem.

 

It's not. However, the in service date of pretty much all 2005 year model trucks have them going out of even extended warranties this year.

Sounds like there is some underlying stuff going on with your truck. Year brakes before front brakes is not the normal order of replacement. Who is telling you you need the brake fluid changed?

 

"High copper content noted" is the note on the paperwork. The dealership is saying the rear seals are a "wear and tear" item.

 

If your comfortable and have the equipment, you could save your self a ton of money and do the brakes yourself. I just replaced my front and rear brakes along with painting my calipers from under $250 (f+r rotors, f+r theromquiet pads, then the items for painting). Brake fluid replacement can be done with the help of another person, and fuel filter isn't to difficult I don't think.

That would just leave you out transmission flush, which almost any mechanic shop will do that, and rear axle seal can be done somewhere for cheaper maybe also.

 

I just had a fluid exchange done on my tranny and it was only $100. The fuel filter you can do yourself for less than $15. Even if the brakes need replacing I am not sure why the fluid would after only 30,000 miles? Rear brakes are not that hard to do either. The only thing that I would not be comfortable tackling with the axle seals. There are how to's for most of this on this site including the rear axle seals.

 

I agree. Brakes, rotors, fluid and fuel filters are really pretty simple jobs and way cheaper to do yourself with OEM or better parts. I just did all four wheels on my '06 exp with the TQ's and got a rebate for $15 per set. Free ship and pads were less than 30/set with the rebate. I did have my front rotors replaced on my old '05 at around 10k from the dealer, apparently pretty common for that year.

 

Not at 30K miles...

 

I have a 07 4x2 Heavy Half that just had the 30K maint done at the dealership the other month. There is a pamphlet that lists out all that needs to be done to maintain the extended warranty so I'm guessing that's what was used when they did yours. I don't have a transfer case or front diff and mine came to just under $400 and they did everything on the list. The fact the rear brakes went out before the front sounds like the parking brake cable or something is hanging up as they should not go before 2 or 3 sets of front at a minimum.

My 2 cents

 

I bought my 2006 used with a little less than 20K miles. When I was test driving it, the salesman said it had just replaced the rear brakes (which i thought was a little weird). About a year later, around 35K, my right front brake went really quick. Went from the usual squeeking to grinding in a matter of a few days, plus it caked my wheel with dust and everything else. I had Midas replace it, and the ABS light came on. Ended up having to take the truck in and have the ABS sensor on that wheel replaced, because of some issue.

Haven't had an issue since... I'm not sure if the braking system on the 04-08s was flawed or they just used crappy parts, but I have now put almost 40K miles on the new brakes, and they still stop like new.

 

Mine front brakes did the exact same thing, went from fine to grinding practically overnite. Cost me 150 for new rotors and pads. When I took everything apart the pads on the left side were paper thin and was going to start grinding any day, the right side was already grinding and destroying the rotor. I only had 25K when I had to change the front brakes, I have 26.3K now.

 

OP say's it only has 30k but it is 5 years old and brake fluid absorbs miosture out of the air - OP does not say were the truck came from(state) if it's in a high miosture area then it is possible to have contamination (although not common)

i bought my 05 this past march with 88k on it and found it needed front pads in the first month i had it - replaced front rotors and pads with NAPA for under 250 including rear pads (going on next week)

who ever did work on it befor me busted the front right brake piston (cracked and chipped)

so had to replace that also, and just for fun i bled the break system all-round

leaking seals and a trns flush at 30k - should not happen unless this thing was beat up pretty bad towing or something