Differential break-in
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,247
Likes: 4,267
From: Kaysville Utah
How many work trucks do you think have a 1000 miles on them when companies pull the beds and install utility beds? I don't think a load in the bed or pulling a light trailer is much harder work than packing around a 2000lbs utility bed. Especially since most of those aftermarket beds stay on the truck for life.
Another example may be the Ambulance Prep. I doubt those trucks get 1000 miles on them before the weight of the ambulance body gets installed.
I try to put as many miles on the truck as possible before I hook up a trailer. but if I have to pull the skid steer or mini excavator before 1000 miles, I just take it gentle.
Another example may be the Ambulance Prep. I doubt those trucks get 1000 miles on them before the weight of the ambulance body gets installed.
I try to put as many miles on the truck as possible before I hook up a trailer. but if I have to pull the skid steer or mini excavator before 1000 miles, I just take it gentle.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 15
From: Silicon Valley, CA
How many work trucks do you think have a 1000 miles on them when companies pull the beds and install utility beds? I don't think a load in the bed or pulling a light trailer is much harder work than packing around a 2000lbs utility bed. Especially since most of those aftermarket beds stay on the truck for life.
Another example may be the Ambulance Prep. I doubt those trucks get 1000 miles on them before the weight of the ambulance body gets installed.
Another example may be the Ambulance Prep. I doubt those trucks get 1000 miles on them before the weight of the ambulance body gets installed.
Your average off-the-street buyer is going to expect that fluid to last "lifetime," so Ford is trying its best to set up an ideal situation to get them past the warranty period.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,188
Likes: 8,072
From: Texas
As far as warranty is concerned;if Dana-Spicer or Ford-Sterling screwed up building the differential, I want the thing to break ASAP so that it is repaired on their dime, not mine!!
Now if I am the one that set up new bearings and gears in the diff, then yes, I am going to baby it along for a bit to make sure things are not overheating and heading for problems. But even then, if things seem to be running at proper temperatures, etc. and I need it to work......it will go to work.
Now if I am the one that set up new bearings and gears in the diff, then yes, I am going to baby it along for a bit to make sure things are not overheating and heading for problems. But even then, if things seem to be running at proper temperatures, etc. and I need it to work......it will go to work.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Eagan, MN
Other vehicle components to consider during the initial break-in period are the brake rotors, brake pads, and tires.
HTH,
Jimn / crewzer
HTH,
Jimn / crewzer
The 1,000 miles was probably an average amount of driving that included several stops.
If they have someone who had a fully loaded trailer and needed a panic stop, the brakes may not stop the truck in the proper time.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 67
Likes: 3
From: Victoria, BC
The trailer should have its own brakes. If no trailer brakes are present, the prudent thing is to be within the trucks GVWR.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Eagan, MN
"You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently and change up through the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Make sure you use the specified engine oil. See Capacities and Specifications (page 422).
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. These additives may prevent piston ring seating."
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,324
Likes: 5,136
From: 0,0,1
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
On the rear, am I suppose to change the oil after 500 miles same as Yukon Gears break-in procedure?
On the less serious side,,,
On the tires, just saying, Ford did not give me all the proper info.
Mine has Michelins on it and according to Michelin: "New tires have to be driven a few hundred miles on dry roads to rid the tread of parting agents and antioxidants applied during production. Not until the tread has been slightly roughened will the tire be able to make its true gripping power felt."
Ford failed to tell me dry roads...
And our ambulance was properly broken it, 28 calls and it hit 1000 miles.
On the less serious side,,,
On the tires, just saying, Ford did not give me all the proper info.
Mine has Michelins on it and according to Michelin: "New tires have to be driven a few hundred miles on dry roads to rid the tread of parting agents and antioxidants applied during production. Not until the tread has been slightly roughened will the tire be able to make its true gripping power felt."
Ford failed to tell me dry roads...
And our ambulance was properly broken it, 28 calls and it hit 1000 miles.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,133
Likes: 665
From: NH
You guys are nuts! I started towing with my 2017 dually just a few days after I got it. Less than 200 miles for sure. Not towing super heavy - just between 5 and 10k lbs. That was 7 months and 8k miles ago. I don't expect to have diff troubles for several hundred thousand miles. I'm also not going to be changing the fluid for several years at least.
The book says "don't tow for a thousand miles" but it didn't say it was bad to put 5,000lbs in the bed before 1,000 miles, did it? My dually is rated for 5,440lbs. What, exactly, would be the difference?
Not to mention - nobody knows if you've towed before 1,000 miles or not. It won't be a warranty issue.
Relax and tow.
The book says "don't tow for a thousand miles" but it didn't say it was bad to put 5,000lbs in the bed before 1,000 miles, did it? My dually is rated for 5,440lbs. What, exactly, would be the difference?
Not to mention - nobody knows if you've towed before 1,000 miles or not. It won't be a warranty issue.
Relax and tow.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
Somebody does now....lol
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
Following proper break in procedures provides a higher probability that you won't have a premature failure down the road. Personally, I think its not worth the risk to disregard them. Will your differential fail prematurely? Probably not. Will it go 300k instead of 350k? Maybe.
In the end, engineers determined it would be beneficial to run it without towing. They didnt just make that up for the fun of it. True, it helps prevent warranty work and claims cost. Why in the world would anyone have an issue with that? They dont want your truck to break (while under warranty) and neither should you.
I'm sure you will be fine and understand some folks will be forced by circumstances to not strickly follow break in procedures. But choosing to simply disregard them because you don't believe in them? Sheesh!
In the end, engineers determined it would be beneficial to run it without towing. They didnt just make that up for the fun of it. True, it helps prevent warranty work and claims cost. Why in the world would anyone have an issue with that? They dont want your truck to break (while under warranty) and neither should you.
I'm sure you will be fine and understand some folks will be forced by circumstances to not strickly follow break in procedures. But choosing to simply disregard them because you don't believe in them? Sheesh!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 563
its hard to say but i wouldnt count your chickens before they hatch. right away the oil turns pretty dark on a new set of gears. since theres no filtration system its not a bad idea to change it out but thats your call. any damage that may have been done is permanent now so i guess it wouldnt make much difference at this point