Truck has 145,xxx miles on it. I'm starting to get worried about the diffs and t-case fluids. I bought this truck with 134 k on it, but didnt receive any sort of history of work done to it. Should I have all the fluids change? Are you even sopposed to change them? Or are they "Lifetime Lubed" like my dry ball joints?

Any recommendations on fluids either?

 

I'd change ALL the fluids. And make sure you use synthetic in your diffs.

 

i would change all fluids also, coolant, tranny, transfer, diffs, new fuel filter, just to be on the safe side, good luck

 

How often are you supposed to change the differential fluid anyway? Should my dealer do this by default at the 90k service? (I'm at 86k on my 2001 SuperCrew King Ranch 4x4, which has already had the transmission replaced at just under 50k miles.)

-- Jim

 

I think your going to get a bunch of different opinions on this.

I for one let mine go till I started to get some chatter in it (around 75k). I changed it to Amsoil and will change it again in another 50k or if it chatters before then.

You SHOULD change it each time you get your axle / differential submerged in water or other muck.

Some say it is good for life and never has to be changed. I say B.S., every lubricate breaks down over time, some just last longer than others.

How do you use your truck? Do you drive it hard, tow, mud, etc? If so then you should change it more often than those that baby their vehicles.

If I were you, I would change it soon. You are at almost 100k, so it would not hurt to freshen it up a bit.

 

That reminds me, I have to replace my fuel filter, it's in the toolbox...waiting...

 

Thanks SilverGT. The odd thing is, in my little service schedule book, I don't see this listed anywhere as scheduled maintenance, even past 120k... is Ford's position that this never needs changing? Or did I just miss it?

 

Honestly, I have no Idea. I have always had my own maintinance schedule that I follow when it comes to the care of my vehicles. Most have lasted around 150k or more before I got rid of them. This (my expy) was the first vehicle that I ever had to change the diff fluid on.

 

Here's the fluid maintenance schedule that I use, it errors on the side of caution.

Transmission - 30k (OEM recommendation)
Transfer-case - 60k (OEM recommendation)
Font axle - 60k (because it's non-synthetic oil)
Rear axle - 90k (or anytime the axle has been submerged water)