Differential break-in
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New User
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Differential break-in
I started towing a few thousand pounds a little over a hundred miles. Then I read in the owner's manual you're not supposed to tow until after 1000 miles. What is the point of breaking in the differential and what is likely to happen as a result of me towing a couple thousand pounds? Is there anything that I need to do now? F350 DRW
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2011
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The gears in the differential have to mate to each other during the break in period so that you get years of trouble free service. Towing can cause over heating and damage to the surface of the gears. Could be no harm was done but you won't know for a while. Changing the diff fluid would probably be a good idea - it's cheap and easy to do. Can't hurt and might help.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
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From: 0,0,1
My assumption would be they want you to stay away from towing things like 35' travel trailers and 40' boats. A few thousand pounds is nothing unless you're going up and down extreme inclines. I think you're okay...no damage done.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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From: Minnesota
With my 11 F350 I was hooked to a trailer with a skid steer with less than 200 miles on it. It has 193000 miles on it now without any transmission or differential problems. My 06 F250 I'm sure I did the same thing and that truck went went 206000 miles without any drivetrain problems, the engine was another topic. It had a 6.oh no!
These trucks are made to work and tow things. Don't worry about, drive it and enjoy your new truck!
These trucks are made to work and tow things. Don't worry about, drive it and enjoy your new truck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,027
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From: 46th State
I started towing a few thousand pounds a little over a hundred miles. Then I read in the owner's manual you're not supposed to tow until after 1000 miles. What is the point of breaking in the differential and what is likely to happen as a result of me towing a couple thousand pounds? Is there anything that I need to do now? F350 DRW
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
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From: Mills River
If nothing else, I like using the break-in period to shake down a new vehicle, to get to know it better, to get comfortable with it, and to hopefully get past "infant mortality" concerns.
I've experienced too many new-vehicle issues over the years to just "hook up and go" and/or wander too far from home for the first 500-1,000 miles:
1) My new 1973 VW bus came with a bad battery
2) My "new to me" '73 Porsche 914 1.7 had a bad fuse holder; the engine's fuel injection system would intermittently cut out and then back in
3) My '72 "new to me" BMW Bavaria came with a clogged radiator and a cracked head
4) My new '86 Suburban suffered early 700R4 auto trans failure; it years before I towed with it
5) My new 91 Acura Legend was bought back by Honda due to a faulty ABS system
6) My new '97 F-150 came from the factory with a bad torque tube, and its "heavy duty" 4R100 AT failed early (during its first "after break-in" tow)
7) My new '00 F250 also came from the factory with a bad torque tube
Our new F350 has a bit 700 miles on the odometer, and so far, so good!
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
I've experienced too many new-vehicle issues over the years to just "hook up and go" and/or wander too far from home for the first 500-1,000 miles:
1) My new 1973 VW bus came with a bad battery
2) My "new to me" '73 Porsche 914 1.7 had a bad fuse holder; the engine's fuel injection system would intermittently cut out and then back in
3) My '72 "new to me" BMW Bavaria came with a clogged radiator and a cracked head
4) My new '86 Suburban suffered early 700R4 auto trans failure; it years before I towed with it
5) My new 91 Acura Legend was bought back by Honda due to a faulty ABS system
6) My new '97 F-150 came from the factory with a bad torque tube, and its "heavy duty" 4R100 AT failed early (during its first "after break-in" tow)
7) My new '00 F250 also came from the factory with a bad torque tube
Our new F350 has a bit 700 miles on the odometer, and so far, so good!
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,137
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From: Texas
Which way would 
rather you did it?
Break it while it is brand new and they have to spend dollars to fix it, or break it when the warranty is up and you have to spend dollars to fix it?
Just asking!!
rather you did it? Break it while it is brand new and they have to spend dollars to fix it, or break it when the warranty is up and you have to spend dollars to fix it?
Just asking!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,352
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People can do obviously whatever they want to do. But as stated above, the fact that Ford specifically states not to tow for 1,000 miles to me means something. I trust the engineers far more then any members opinion (including mine lol.. and note, I said engineers, not techs). $70-$80,000 truck is nothing to sneeze about and follow their recommendations/requirements.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
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From: 0,0,1
Yes, it means they've created a loophole to get out of doing free warranty work on the differential.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
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
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New User
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So it sounds like I have nothing to worry about and I can tow a few thousand pounds without worrying. I bought this truck because I need to tow and haul things and sometimes you don't have the privilege to wait 1,000 miles.