My dealership has always done a good job. But some maintainence they did last week has prompted me to question them.

I have a 2003 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with the 5.4 Truck has 33k miles on it with no problems. It's due for the 30k mile checkup for Tranny, filters, and oil. I don't care to do trans work and have been too busy with work anyway. But they call me up and said that my coolant needed flushing and the transfer case fluid needed replacing. Plus, one of my rear axle shafts is leaking.

Now, I could have missed the leak. I'll check that one out for sure. But anyone here agree the coolant or transfer case should have needed fluid swap? I ran 80k on my original fluid in my Grand Marquis. And I would have thought transfer case fluid should have made it that long. I guess what pisses me off is I went in for about $350 worth of work and now I have a $1k bill. It's a done deal since I don't have time to dicker with them and I paid it. I'm just looking for opinions/suggestions so I can decide if I'm switching dealerships.

I'm in ND, very rural state, so I only have 2 local dealers. Thought I had one I can trust, now I'm not so sure.

TIA

 

Oh, I also forgot they mentioned my front brakes were "almost" done. Probably had 3k miles left. That doesn't surprise me. But after the list of other problems, it felt like "since we're done screwing you, here's some lube to make you feel better". So I said no on that. It'll be warming up here shortly. I'll do the brakes myself.

 

I'd check the owners manual and see what it says for a replacement interval for coolant and transfer case.

 

I think that's too soon. The coolant and transfer case fluid should be good for at least 50K. My front brakes went over 50K as well, even after doing quite a bit of towing.

 

I probably need to change those soon.... 153xxx and never touched either of them... LOL... oh well, probably be a summer project.

 

I'd say at 153,XXX, it's probably needed

 

Ya, i havent even put a belt on it yet either. Probably go threw it pretty soon. I did just put some new plug wires on cause i broke the rubber handle on the back plugs... but they all were okay for resitance when i tested them.

 

how did you get $1000. out of that work?---- i am a believer that the original fluids should be changed out at 30-40,000 miles to get any sand, dirt, or factory "crud" out of the systems. also, the antifreeze stuff is good for about 5 years now, so it was about due. you should be able to go to 60,000 per the manufacturese recommendation on the trans, bu tthe first change is a benifit i think.
the thing to remember is that oil and antifreeze changes dont cost a lot for material, just time consuming. if you do it yourself its $100. if you pay the dealer your paying by the hour which adds up.--- I still dont see $1000 worth of work? if you do stop and go driving, the brakes may need changed. i do 70% highway and normally get 75,000 miles on the brakes.

 

The big cost was probably the teardown of the rear axle to replace the leaking seal. If they fixed it, that is.

 

Well, the actual bill turned out cheaper than I was quoted. I dont' have it right in front of me for the breakdown. But the total was $935.

Trans fluid, transfer case were spendy, then the seals. After that, it was those seals.

I'll check the brakes later in a month or so. I don't put all that many miles on the truck until summer. So I'll be fine. Most of the driving was a combo. In town and highway.