Notices
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

Changing transmission fluid

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:06 PM
  #1  
Jimmygunz3's Avatar
Jimmygunz3
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island
Changing transmission fluid

I have a 99 eb expo with A4wd I want to change the transmission fluid, because I get a vibration when the transmission shifts gears like i am going over rumple bumps. the dealer wants to charge 160 to flush it, if I drain the torque converter and the trans itself, and change the filter myself , is it just as good as a flush, and has anyone did this themselves... thanks
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:28 PM
  #2  
quick35th's Avatar
quick35th
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard, OH
Originally Posted by Jimmygunz3
I have a 99 eb expo with A4wd I want to change the transmission fluid, because I get a vibration when the transmission shifts gears like i am going over rumple bumps. the dealer wants to charge 160 to flush it, if I drain the torque converter and the trans itself, and change the filter myself , is it just as good as a flush, and has anyone did this themselves... thanks
Yes draining the trans yourself is much better then taking it somewhere. I would never have a trans flushed cause I have read to many times before in the past where it will blow stuff out of your tranny and it will never be the same. If you do a simple pan drain and TQ drain you will get about 15-16 quarts out of it out of 17 total. Do you know which tranny you have? Changing the fluid will most likely fix your problem. I had the same issue myself last fall and replaced the trans fluid with Mobel1 synthetic Mecron. 17 quarts ran me like $150 at autozone . I've since then experimented with John Deere Hy-Gard. I would just use the proper trans fluid for now.

Shane
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 01:15 PM
  #3  
njxlt's Avatar
njxlt
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I had my tranny done @ Ford Dealer in NJ for $150 for fluid & filter change. They wanted $200 for a fluid, filter & flush! I opted for the $150 service instead @ 80,000 miles because I tow every weekend with it. If you are going to spend $150 @ AutoZone on fluid you might as well let Ford do?
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
quick35th's Avatar
quick35th
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard, OH
I dont trust any of my vehicals to be worked on by anyone other then myself. Dealers and shops are to shady and will "tweak" things so that you have to come back in for more repairs later on. Its happend to me before

Shane
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:43 PM
  #5  
Mr.Novice's Avatar
Mr.Novice
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
I actually changed my tranny fluid/filter twice within about 5,000 miles between changes. Reason being, I changed it once and noticed a lot of metallic mud around the pan magnet. I wanted to make sure that what I had was normal wear and tear, so I changed it again soon after. This did two things:
  1. I'm sure that I have basically flushed the system and that the fluid is all new.
  2. I got some peace of mind about what was going on with my tranny. I had little to no metal on the magnet the second time.
Incidentally, I bought the vehicle used at 75k miles. The dealership assured me that they had changed the transmission fluid/filter. I checked the fluid and it was a good color, so I took their work for it.

At 121k miles, I found the factory dust plug and (probably) the factory filter when I dropped the pan!!!
Can you blame me for wanting some peace of mind about my transmission?

Anyway, best of luck with whatever you decide to do. I've heard some great things about synthetic, but I would rather use the cheap stuff and change the fluid more often. That's just me.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 04:54 PM
  #6  
DeckedoutF150's Avatar
DeckedoutF150
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ohio
if i was you i would have a local shop that had a good reputation. you can get it done for about $100 to $120 for a flush. you can also find some shops that will drop the pan and replace the filter if you want it done that way. i have had 2 trucks and did the flush on them with no problems and in the one truck i even had them use the BG chemicals in it. also if you tow alot or wnat to help the life of your trans i waould check into a trans cooler. both my explorer and my lincoln mark lt have them and the explorer has 138,200 miles on it.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 07:29 AM
  #7  
01silvergt's Avatar
01silvergt
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, TX
Originally Posted by Mr.Novice
......Incidentally, I bought the vehicle used at 75k miles. The dealership assured me that they had changed the transmission fluid/filter. I checked the fluid and it was a good color, so I took their work for it.

At 121k miles, I found the factory dust plug and (probably) the factory filter when I dropped the pan!!!
Can you blame me for wanting some peace of mind about my transmission?

.......
Most dealers only power flush the system. I would bet they flushed the system and just told you they changed everything (much easier to say they changed it than to explain what a power flush is).

What fluids are you using? And what method did you use to change the fluids?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 08:44 AM
  #8  
Mr.Novice's Avatar
Mr.Novice
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Originally Posted by 01silvergt
Most dealers only power flush the system. I would bet they flushed the system and just told you they changed everything (much easier to say they changed it than to explain what a power flush is).

What fluids are you using? And what method did you use to change the fluids?
Hi there,
I just used Autozone brand Mercon-III (If I remember correctly).
To change it, I just dropped the pan and collected whatever drained out. Swapped the filter, cleaned the pan & magnet, and bolted everything back on.
I think I got something like 9 quarts out of it both times.
I know there is a way to drain the torque converter, but I wasn't sure how and didn't want to mess anything up.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 09:06 AM
  #9  
quick35th's Avatar
quick35th
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard, OH
Originally Posted by Mr.Novice
I know there is a way to drain the torque converter, but I wasn't sure how and didn't want to mess anything up.
All you have to do to drain the converter is romove the rubber dust cover on the underside of the bellhousing. Then turn the engine by hand (a 18mm socket and breaker bar works best) until you see the small drain plug apear. I believe the drain plug is either 11mm or 10mm.

Shane
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 09:42 AM
  #10  
Mr.Novice's Avatar
Mr.Novice
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Cool, thanks!!! Why haven't I ever heard how to do that before?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 10:27 AM
  #11  
BP57's Avatar
BP57
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Because most newer trucks don't have a drain on the TC anymore. Instead, you'll have to unhook a cooling line and let it pump it out while running it and adding more at the same time.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 10:33 AM
  #12  
Mr.Novice's Avatar
Mr.Novice
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Originally Posted by BP57
Because most newer trucks don't have a drain on the TC anymore. Instead, you'll have to unhook a cooling line and let it pump it out while running it and adding more at the same time.
That's what I've heard of doing before. So which is it? Does a 2001 Expy have the TC drain or no? I forget which tranny I have, but I know it's the most common one for the 4.6L.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 10:45 AM
  #13  
quick35th's Avatar
quick35th
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard, OH
You probably have the 470RW transmission.

Shane
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 10:52 AM
  #14  
quick35th's Avatar
quick35th
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard, OH
My '99 EB with 5.4L has the 4R100 in it and it had the drain plug on the converter.

Shane
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2006 | 11:00 AM
  #15  
paulconti21269's Avatar
paulconti21269
New User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
What is a flush. I had it done last service . Do they change the filter or do they just open a line and drain it that way
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:17 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE