External trans filter questions
External trans filter questions
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: LaPorte, CO
Borrow or rent an impact wrench. They are usually pretty tight and the bracket bends if you use a breaker or ratchet with your socket. Put a little anti-sieze on the threads when you reassamble.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Abbotsford B.C
my 04 has it also....got tranny serviced a bit ago and now i am going to ask them why they didnt change it...
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by raptor131
what years have external trans filters?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 22
Under normal driving conditions, Ford states to flush/change tranny fluid every 30,000 miles and this includes the external filter.
If towing long and hard, more frequent changes may be needed and prudent.
I flushed at 25,000, 52,000, 76,900 miles.
I dropped the pan and changed the internal filter at the 52,000 mile service just to see the inside of the pan and it was a clean as could be!!! Ford states that the internal filter does not need to be changed unless the tranny is serviced for reasons other than normal routine service... but I did it for piece of mind.
Only use Mercon SP with no additives. Mercon SP is synthetic and does a great job. The external filter is easy and cheap to change out when flushing the system. I choose to flush ino order to get 100% fluid exchange. System holds 17.5 qts of Mercon SP if you wanted to know.
I have 76,900 miles on tranny and no problems.... (cross my fingers).
If towing long and hard, more frequent changes may be needed and prudent.
I flushed at 25,000, 52,000, 76,900 miles.
I dropped the pan and changed the internal filter at the 52,000 mile service just to see the inside of the pan and it was a clean as could be!!! Ford states that the internal filter does not need to be changed unless the tranny is serviced for reasons other than normal routine service... but I did it for piece of mind.
Only use Mercon SP with no additives. Mercon SP is synthetic and does a great job. The external filter is easy and cheap to change out when flushing the system. I choose to flush ino order to get 100% fluid exchange. System holds 17.5 qts of Mercon SP if you wanted to know.
I have 76,900 miles on tranny and no problems.... (cross my fingers).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: LOCASH
Hey BBC question about dropping the pan... What kind of gasket s on the pan???Is it a reusabl;e rubber one with stoppers on it???Or do you need to buy one if you plan of dropping the pan... I just hit 500K and I plan to change both filters and flush the system myself...But I was unsure if I needed to buy gaskets and such or if they come with the filters?? OR if they are just reusable ones???
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Kenwood
Hey BBC question about dropping the pan... What kind of gasket s on the pan???Is it a reusabl;e rubber one with stoppers on it???Or do you need to buy one if you plan of dropping the pan... I just hit 500K and I plan to change both filters and flush the system myself...But I was unsure if I needed to buy gaskets and such or if they come with the filters?? OR if they are just reusable ones???
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 22
I have my dealer do it all and I just watch (to make sure).
Since Mercon SP is only available from Ford and I get to watch (and they do not mind)... it is worth it to me to let them do it.
When they dropped the pan (after flushing at the 50,000 change), I did it just to see the condition of the pan and just to play it safe and change the filter.... all was well and the pan was spotless!!!
The Mercon SP does a great job of keeping things clean and lubed. The external filter must be doing a good job as there was next to nothing on the bottom of the pan!!!
The gasket is reuseable rubber... the bitch is getting all the bolts back in and a few are at a hard angle due to cross members. Just take your time and use a swivel on your socket and you'll be fine.
Mercon SP is great stuff, yet so many want to change to other brands... not sure why... but "SP" is indeed synthetic and seems to be working fine for 99.9% of us.
Good luck with your tranny fluid & filter change.
Since Mercon SP is only available from Ford and I get to watch (and they do not mind)... it is worth it to me to let them do it.
When they dropped the pan (after flushing at the 50,000 change), I did it just to see the condition of the pan and just to play it safe and change the filter.... all was well and the pan was spotless!!!
The Mercon SP does a great job of keeping things clean and lubed. The external filter must be doing a good job as there was next to nothing on the bottom of the pan!!!
The gasket is reuseable rubber... the bitch is getting all the bolts back in and a few are at a hard angle due to cross members. Just take your time and use a swivel on your socket and you'll be fine.
Mercon SP is great stuff, yet so many want to change to other brands... not sure why... but "SP" is indeed synthetic and seems to be working fine for 99.9% of us.
Good luck with your tranny fluid & filter change.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: LOCASH
Yes 50K...LOL
I will use mercron SP.. However Ive been to 3 delaers locally and aaksed about the changes... they all seem LESS THAN COMPETENT.. None of them would change the filters.. I then said What if I bought the filters from service parts and gave them to you... then they said they would charge 1 hoour labor to install them.. NONE of the dealers left me feeling good about it.. the prices were low...like $119 to get it done.. I asked about using SP..they looked like DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.. I GARUNTEE they will screw it up.. Hence why Im doing it myself.. Trust me I dont like the hassle.. However I also dont like people who barely know what they are doing work on my stuff.. causeIm sure if the trans went because of wrong fluid they did Id spend a lot of time and money getting it RIGHT..
I will use mercron SP.. However Ive been to 3 delaers locally and aaksed about the changes... they all seem LESS THAN COMPETENT.. None of them would change the filters.. I then said What if I bought the filters from service parts and gave them to you... then they said they would charge 1 hoour labor to install them.. NONE of the dealers left me feeling good about it.. the prices were low...like $119 to get it done.. I asked about using SP..they looked like DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.. I GARUNTEE they will screw it up.. Hence why Im doing it myself.. Trust me I dont like the hassle.. However I also dont like people who barely know what they are doing work on my stuff.. causeIm sure if the trans went because of wrong fluid they did Id spend a lot of time and money getting it RIGHT..
