I took my 98 4X4 to the dealer today with 60k on it, for the first tranny fluid and filter change. I thought it was going to be a simple pay and get out thing until they come to the waiting area with my pan and showed me the magnet with an inch deep of filings and a bunch of small needle bearings rolling around in the pan. I was surprised! The truck has seemed to be working just fine. I am glad I bought the extended warranty. But it shocked me when they said to drive the truck extra hard to make it drop the tranny out cause right now they can not do anything with it because the thing is working fine! Does a transmission not need bearings to work? I would think that even though it works, there must be something wrong with it to have extra parts in the pan?
So what can I do to make something go wrong? I only have another couple thousand miles left on the Ford ESP.

 

If you can actually get Ford to replace a transmission, try your hardest to ruin your current one! I'd recommend running it in 2nd gear on the highway, or (if you can get away with it easily) take it up over 100mph (160kph). See if you can get them to replace it with a 4R100; it's a much better tranny (assuming you have a 4R70W now).

In fact, any type of harsh driving will probably ruin your tranny before anything else - it's by far the weakest link in our drivetrains. Keep pedal to the metal at all times, use harsh downshifts and whatnot. Especially if it's on the way to crapping out, it shouldn't take long.

In the meantime, see what you can do about getting them to replace it on the current evidence (bearings in the pan). Try talking to a service manager. You might even try calling Blue Oval Customer Service if you can't get anywhere with your dealer.

Good luck.

 

I'm not one to be fraudulant but if Ford said to ruin it for a replacement then run it with out fluid.

 

I like the way you're thinking, BlueOvalFitter. Did you get your truck at Bill Currie?

-Jeff

 

Ernie Haire

 

Good. If you ever have mechanical problems, I would recommend avoiding Bill Currie Ford. Their body shop is wonderful, but their service department is sub-par, from my experience.

Just FYI...

-Jeff

 

I usually do my own fluid changes and mechanical work but if I need work done I take it to Gator Ford.

 

I've been wanting to check out the new Gator Ford up on I-4. But, honestly, (I know I'll be flogged for saying this) I'll be buying a Titan if/when I buy a new truck. They did what I've been saying the full truck market needs to do for years - they're mating a 5-speed automatic to a 300+ hp engine. And I absolutely love Nissan reliability. My mother's '95 Nissan King Cab with V6 has required nothing but fluid changes and still runs strong.

If Ford would get their transmission situation straight, I'd like the 2004 F150. But they're still relying solely on the 4-speed automatic. What I really want is a manual that can take the torque, but short of buying a too-heavy F250, that's not a possibility.

Anyway, enough ranting.

-Jeff

 

isnt over drive like 5th gear, so would a 4speed automatic with overdrive mean a 5 gear automagic?

 

Ive had (2) Nissans and got hit by (2) 18 wheelers driving them,and walked away from both! Nissan is a very dependable truck but I would skip the first year Titan to make sure all the bugs are worked out for the next year.

 

A 4 speed automatic means 4th gear is overdrive.

 

We were thinking the exact same thing. Though I'd love to dive right into a 2004, I had the same thought, especially since Nissan's never produced a full-size truck before. But my mother and I plan to get 2005 Titans, assuming the 2004s go well, and finances agree .

-Jeff