Had my 2002 (77K) serviced at a quick-lube place on Saturday. They recommended that the power-steering and manual transmission fluid be changed. Held my breathe and said no. Now I've been thinking, should I change both next time in? Any advantage in doing this servicing?

 

Tranny fluid, yeah do it it won't hurt. You can definetly do it though. Get under the truck with a big drain pan, place it to the driver's side of the drain plug. Get a 1 1/16" wrench on the fill plug, remove it. Get the same wrench on the drain plug, brake it loose, then unscrew it until fluid starts slowly running out. Then pull it out completely. The fluid will at first arc out towards the driver's side, which is why you placed the pan on that side! Then it will just drip/run straight down.

Take the drain plug inside, clean it off, check the magnet for any big chucks of metal. Re-insert drain plug, clean up tranny below drain plug, remove drain pan. If you haven't pulled and sealed the three freeze-rail plugs at the top rear of the tranny, do it now since you're putting new fluid in. Not a hard job. Remove them, clean then, put some RTV or the like around them, replace them.

Now there's many ways to get tranny fluid back in. I used a small pump we used to pump gear oil into our boat's lower unit. You can get these at hardware stores and Walmart for less than 5 bucks. Pump pump pump 'til it runs out of the fill hole. Let it sit for a minute or two, then pump a little bit more until it runs out again. Replace fill plug.

Remove new tub of tranny fluid and pump. Clean pump. And you're done. I noticed a difference on shifting quality. But what do you expect after 130K lol.

PS, it won't hurt anything. You might as well. Get a baster (like for making turkey), suck as much of the fluid out as you can, refill up to the full line, turn the truck on, let it idle for a bit, cut it off, repeat. There isn't a real good way to do it.

Hope it helps.

Oh and WHATEVER you do, don't let the quicky lube do the tranny and PS flushes. If you don't want to do it, have a professional mechanic do it. This is why:
www.jiffylubeproblems.com

RP
Zach

 

Transmission fluid changes are very important. In fact, it's the life of your transmission. The fluid not only gets dirty, but also loses some of its important properties. That's why many manufacturers recommend fluid changes every 30k miles! As the fluid gets hot, it's damaged. As it's damaged, it no longer has the properties that your transmission needs to operate properly. When that happens, the internal parts have much more strain placed upon them, and will fail prematurely.

I don't personally have an A/T Ranger, but I'll bet that yours calls for Mercon V. If so, don't let the shop put in a universal fluid. Ford specifically forbids the use of these universal fluids. There's been a lot written about this, so you can do a search for more information.

As to P/S fluid changes, I personally have never done one. My understanding is that rack and pinion units are particularly sensitive to dirty fluid. Our Rangers don't have rack and pinion steering, but Ford P/S pumps have been known to be problematic. It probably wouldn't hurt to change it. Be aware that many Ford applications call for Type F transmission fluid for the P/S unit instead of P/S fluid. Check your owners manual for specifics on yours.

Hope that helps

 

He has a stick not an auto. Much easier to change fluid on a stick. Sticks are also much more tolerable of dirty fluid (not to say you shouldn't change it).

RP
Zach

 

I change the transmission fluid (whether manual or automatic) and power steering fluid every two years. You wouldn't recognize the manual transmission fluid as ATF after just two years except for its low viscosity. It won't be red. Gears are tough on lubricants. Power steering fluid gets pretty hot. Smell it, it probably will have somewhat of a burnt smell.

You could do the service yourself, but you might need two people to do the power steering flush. For the power steering flush, I disable the fuel pump so the engine won't run, disconnect the power steering return hose and run it to a bucket (plug the port on the reservoir) and have one person turn the engine over using just the starter while slowly turning the steering wheel lock to lock. The other person fills the power steering fluid reservoir. I put about 3-4 quarts through doing it this way. The front wheels are jacked up so that they are off the ground during this procedure.

 

That's a good way to do a PS flush right there.

You can disable the fuel pump by disconnecting the wire running into the intertia switch at the front of the passenger footwell just below the carpet.

 

i change my ranger trans fluid every year (M5OD std) changed the transfer case fluid when i got the truck three years ago. havent thought about the p/s fluid, not a bad idea. changed most of the brake fluid when a line going to the rear axle rusted through. did the taurus last fall, automatics are a pain, i have seen very few with a drain plug. i need to do my rear diff, been holding out hoping to get a lock-rite unit for it. front diff oil looks new, guess it aint been in 4wd too much.

 

Racsan, I think it's reccommended that you put it in 4WD at least once a month, just to keep everything in good shape. Just my two cents.

I did the brakes and clutch when I first got the truck.

 

my experience with those types of places (jiffy-lube) is not great. especially jiffy-lube, they're a rip-off, scam, and very pesty. i do most of my own maint. but let ford do the tranny and such.

 

I do everything I can to my own vehicle. If I can't handle it, it goes to our mechanic.

 

Sorry I'm stupid...

Yes, change the manual tranny fluid too. It's easy as changing the oil tho. Yours needs Mercon ATF (Dextron III). I did this on my 97 at 100k, and it was pretty dirty. Shifted better afterwards.

 

On my 06 i'm changing the diff and tranny at 5k with synthetic's. Will change the diff again at another 50k. The tranny at 20k-30k. If mercon couldn't withstand 20k in a 5 speed Festiva it will be interesing to see how it holds up in the Ranger.

 

The correct fluid at the correct level will make the mileage suggested for replacement unless it's EXTREMELY abused (i.e. way way overheated).

 

one suggestion, when you do the PS fluid change put in a filter on the return line, this will protect the pump and the steering box itself. Ford actually makes a filter for it, and NAPA also carries a filter for this. If you put on a new pump or box they actually state in the warrenty that it is void unless a filter is installed and it's been my practice that anytime I open up a PS system I install the filters they are cheap insurance.

 

A radiator flush is very important also in order to guard against corrosion and blockages in the radiator. Make sure you refill the radiator with the proper coolant mixture, and check the thermostat while your at it.