Adding Friction Modifier ?
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Adding Friction Modifier ?
I am experiencing the all too common shudder on take off in my 2011 F150 V8 with 50k miles on it. I have been reading about it and before I jump into bigger endeavors, I want to try to add some frictional modifier to it to see if it fixes the issue. I have two questions:
1. Is there a brand that most recommend?
2. Am I able to add the FM to the existing oil in there being that the truck only has 50k miles on it? or should I replace the oil all together first?
Thanks.
1. Is there a brand that most recommend?
2. Am I able to add the FM to the existing oil in there being that the truck only has 50k miles on it? or should I replace the oil all together first?
Thanks.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Joplin MO
What is the axle code on your door jamb sticker? The modifier is only going to help if you have a factory limited slip, not an e-locker or open diff.
1. If you have a factory limited slip, get the modifier from the Ford dealer.
2. Yes. The factory fill lube should be good for 100k unless you get water in the diff.
I would discuss this with a service advisor at Ford first, this may be covered under the powertrain warranty.
1. If you have a factory limited slip, get the modifier from the Ford dealer.
2. Yes. The factory fill lube should be good for 100k unless you get water in the diff.
I would discuss this with a service advisor at Ford first, this may be covered under the powertrain warranty.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Wilmington,NC
The differential traction lok clutches do not chatter on a straight line takeoff, only when turning. If it is indeed your trac lok clutches chattering, I would change the fluid also just to make sure the lube is ok.
My 2000 F150 clutches started chattering around 80k miles. I changed the fluid and that particular year took 2 bottles of FM to stop the chattering. My 2002 I'm driving now had 69k on it when I bought it and now has 129k miles and I haven't experienced clutch chatter with it. The traction lok has been working well.
My 2000 F150 clutches started chattering around 80k miles. I changed the fluid and that particular year took 2 bottles of FM to stop the chattering. My 2002 I'm driving now had 69k on it when I bought it and now has 129k miles and I haven't experienced clutch chatter with it. The traction lok has been working well.
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Just fyi.
Adding too much FM is not good - and if yer diff gets ANY water exposure, you need to change it very regularly. And IF you use FM, every 3 years or 30K, regardless ( see below).
One 4 oz bottle of MC Xl-3 is sufficient for a 9.75" Traction-Lok. Never have I had one chatter with fresh fluid and the prescribed amount of FM. If it still chatters, you've got another problem with the friction surfaces themselves.
Here's why:
And another: https://www.f150online.com/forums/4368805-post15.html
Remember - it ain't a hermetic seal - there's a vent tube.
MGD
Adding too much FM is not good - and if yer diff gets ANY water exposure, you need to change it very regularly. And IF you use FM, every 3 years or 30K, regardless ( see below).
One 4 oz bottle of MC Xl-3 is sufficient for a 9.75" Traction-Lok. Never have I had one chatter with fresh fluid and the prescribed amount of FM. If it still chatters, you've got another problem with the friction surfaces themselves.
Here's why:
You can use the Valvoline if you like. Just make sure it is a GF-5 so you get the max in additives. FWIW, if you have a NAPA store around I'd price compare as the NAPA is made by Valvoline and is the same product. FWIW #2, Valvoline is no longer the maker of NAPA motor oils- Mobil is.
In regards to changing so often. Steven's got it right. If you tow a boat and the axle gets covered with water, you should be changing once a year regardless of mileage. Reason- the axle will be hot when you launch from the distance driven. When immersed in water, as the axle cools it develops a vacuum in the axle and will suck water past the seals. It's not much but you also have the alcohol based friction modifier in the mix which will also wick water. Eventually you'll overwhelm the fluid with water and corrosion will set in- not a good thing. You should be changing any axle that uses a friction modifier (T-Loks) at least every 30,000 miles or 3 years. The modifier will wick moisture out of the air over time and cause corrosion.
In regards to changing so often. Steven's got it right. If you tow a boat and the axle gets covered with water, you should be changing once a year regardless of mileage. Reason- the axle will be hot when you launch from the distance driven. When immersed in water, as the axle cools it develops a vacuum in the axle and will suck water past the seals. It's not much but you also have the alcohol based friction modifier in the mix which will also wick water. Eventually you'll overwhelm the fluid with water and corrosion will set in- not a good thing. You should be changing any axle that uses a friction modifier (T-Loks) at least every 30,000 miles or 3 years. The modifier will wick moisture out of the air over time and cause corrosion.
Remember - it ain't a hermetic seal - there's a vent tube.
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; Jan 14, 2014 at 06:33 PM.
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From: Cabot, AR
Mine started to chatter in turns at around 39,000 miles. I added 1 bottle of MC Friction Modifier and drove it about 500 miles before it went away. I am at 41,625 miles and all is good. The Fluid level was good and almost clean when I checked it.
Last edited by Blue07STX; Jan 14, 2014 at 09:54 PM. Reason: content
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Senior Member
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Cheap insurance fer a Traction-Lok - you can't typically see or detect moisture entrapped within the fluid, but it's there.
MGD
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From: Wilmington,NC
The reason I put two bottles of FM in my 2000 F150 is that evidently Ford preloaded the clutch pack a little more than they should have. There was a TSB out on that year that included a couple more years that said if the clutch packs chatter, to replace the clutch pack and eliminate 0.010" of preload shims. When I changed my fluid with the Ford lube and added one bottle of modifier, I still had clutch chatter on the turns. I decided to put in one more bottle of FM rather than follow the TSB. After the second bottle, the chatter was gone, the Trac Lok worked fine. That was at 80k miles. The Trac lok worked fine with no chatter up until 170k miles when I lost track of it because my friend who bought it from me at 105k miles sold it. When I bought the second bottle of FM at the parts counter, I told the guy behind the counter what my problem was and he said that most people did what I was doing.