Ok I took my 97 4.6L f-150 4x4 to the dealership because the O/D light was flashing (this is supposed to be a transmission light) and my transmission is under warranty by Ford (I bought it remanfuactured from them)
They called me and well this is what the invoice says...

Tech Notes - Diag. Check Oasis. Per TSB 98-5-8, Replace Speedo Drive Gear. Part # F7TZ-19554-AA. Quoted $255.45.

My question is, where is the Speedo Drive Gear located and is it easy / hard to replace. The part is only $40.00

Since there is a reference to a TSB should I have to pay for it?
I do know that this is the real issue, because my uncle is the head of the Service center.
But should I let them do it or should I buy the part and do it myself?

 

Just looked at the TSB. Looks like it's only covered under the BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty or under the EMISSIONS warranty. Doesn't say anything about other warranties. I'd ask them about it. It doesn't hurt to ask. That and it would suck to be out 255+ later when you find out it should've been covered. :/ Good luck.

 

A tsb is not a recall---its a "technical service bulletin". Essentially, "If you have this problem, heres how to fix it". If you wave it in their faces, they might wave it back!

 

The remanufactured tranny I bought from Ford came with a 2 yr 24k warrenty. I would think all issues like this TSB would be upgraded on a rebuilt tranny. If not it should be covered by the warrenty in my opinion. Of course my opinion may not match your dealers.

 

well this sensor is on the transfer case not the tranny

 

It should be quite easy to replace.

 

Ok I made a mistake the previous part number I listed was correct but there is also a second part # I am not sure if it is an either or type situation where I acutally only need one part or if both of them are required, but the second part # is F7TZ-17285-AA.
Is there some way someone has a resource to look up the part # and find out where it is located for me?

Well I just reasearched the part numbers and found the TSB on FTE. And this requires removing the drive shaft and something from the housing, and yeah I think I will let the dealer handle it.
BUT under the TSB the time is only .8hrs. And my total quote is $255.45 I know the part is only 40 bucks so thats a total of $215.45 I plan on asking them about this price since the time is only .8hrs, does this seem right to ya'll????

 

Only Eight hours? Eight hours is a long time for a shop to have a vehicle in. Plus, 215 divided by eight is only 27 bucks an hour. You figure the tech is making nine to fifteen an hour (depends on the market), leaving ten to fifteen bucks an hour for overhead (electricity, building rent, plus a fat profit margin...), I'd say that 215 bucks for an eight hour job isn't unreasonable....

I don't know anything about doing that particular job, nor have I looked over the service bulletin, but I've worked in a shop before, and in our shop 215 bucks for half that amount of time was getting near the "standard rate".

Though from the other side of the coin, 215 is a lot of dough to spend on any repair to any vehicle. I'd look into the TSB a little deeper and see if it's a job you feel like taking on.

Just my 2 cents.

~Cerberus.

 

Cerberus there is a decimal before the eight, as in .8 hours
Which is 48 minutes. If they charge 100 dollars an hour labor + tax and disposabl fees we are no where near 215 bucks...
If it is 100 bucks thats only 80 bucks for the labor according to the TSB

 

I'll be darned, there is a decimal there. Looks like I needs me some new glasses.

Yeah, I'd definitly check into seeing if it's something you can do. Anything listed under an hour is usually in the scope of a backyard mechanic, unless it's a special tool. Even then.

So yeah. Sorry about that. Shows how old I'm getting...

Cheers,
~Cerberus

 

Oh it is fine, the TSB mentioned something along the lines of disconnecting the driveshaft so I think I will leave it to them hopefully I will be able to get the price reduced some though.

 

Drive shaft is EASY.

Four bolts. That's it. Just mark the flange of the driveshaft to the input shaft/flange of the axle. Easy as pie.

 

The speedo drive gear is located on the output shaft of the transfercase .....inside the rear extension housing. It drives the vss vechicle speed sensor gear for the speedometer.
Remove the rear drive shaft then remove the rear extension housing and then repalce the gear.

 

Yeah thhats about what the TSB said to do, when I have some time I will crawl around under it and make up my mind.

 

MMmmmmmm... Pie....

Yeah, that's definitely something you should be able to tackle, no problem.

~Cerberus.