Ford Maintenance Schedule.
My 60000 mile scheduled maintenance is getting close and I was looking in the manual to see what this recommended maintence consists of. After seeing what is to be done I was wondering if I am going to need a second mortgage on my house to pay for all this. (Below) Is everything necessary? It seems like every time they “inspect” something it will need to be replaced. This will be due just before my family vacation out west so I don’t want to break the bank before we go.
1. Replace engine air filter
2. Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake lines and hoses, and parking brake system
3. Perform multi-point inspection
4. Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with underhood dipstick)
5. Change automatic transmission fluid
6. Inspect and lubricate all non-sealed steering linkage, ball joints, suspension joints, half and drive-shafts and u-joints
7. Inspect engine cooling system and hoses
8. Replace fuel filter
9. Rotate and inspect tires; check wheel end play and turning noise
10. Inspect complete exhaust system and heat shields

BTW: This is the best forum I have ever been a part of. I have learned a tremendous amount of things about my truck.
Thank you FTE!

 

A whole lot of that stuff you can do yourself. I'll break it down as best I can:

Pretty self explanatory. Change it yourself to save some cash.


Basically, are you having any trouble with your brakes? Do you have any vibration when you brake? Does your parking brake work? Check your brake fluid level in the reservoir. As long as all that is ok, everything is more than likely fine. They can check the pads when they rotate the tires and shouldn't charge you to check them. I always run pads until the wear indicators kick in- they'll start screeching all the time.


Not exactly sure what this consists of, but probably not nearly as sophisticated as it sounds.


Basically, you need a tranny flush. This will be the most expensive part of the service, more than likely.


This should be part of any regular oil change at no additional charge. Just greasing wherever there is a fitting.


Check the coolant level in the overflow reservior. Does your truck leak coolant on the ground? Do any hoses look dry-rotted (cracked), or have spots that are rubbing, possibly wearing a hole?


Self explanatory. Replace it yourself and save some money.


That last part is basically trying to make sure a wheel bearing isn't about to fail. They shouldn't charge to check this as it is very easy to do with the vehicle on jack stands or a lift. Basically you just try to rock the tire from side with you hands to see if it has any play, and listen for noise when you spin the wheel.


Do you hear any exhaust leaks when you drive the truck? I wouldn't think they should charge you for this either because all should take is a 1 minute glance at most while the truck is on the lift.


So basically, you need a new air filter, a new fuel filter, an oil change, tire rotation, and a tranny flush.



I hope some of this helps. Buying a cheap manual like Haynes at autozone can go a long way explaining some simple maintenance procedures if you want to do them yourself.

 

I guess I should have read through it more thoroughly. The volume of things to be done scared me away from digging into it. I was pretty sure that the tranny flush was going to be the high priced item. I noticed that there isn’t any mention of a transmission filter with that flush. If they are going to put all new oil in wouldn’t you want a new filter? Thanks for the help cpdorroh. Like I said FTE is the best.

 

Good question. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if your tranny has a filter. I know the Torqshift in my SD did, but I don't think the 4r70w in my '01 had one. Maybe somebody else can clear this up to be sure.

But if there is an external filter, yes it should be changed as part of the flush.

 

CBBENNETT, yes there is filter IN your transmission and it probably should be changed when the transmission is flushed. The filter is visible when the transmission pan is removed. Dan.

 

you aren't supposed to change out the tranny fluid in these trucks. the Maintenance Guide only specifies a fluid change on the 4R100 tranny and Torqushift
per the 2004 Maintenance Guide...normal schedule @ 60,000 miles:Special Conditions adds the requirements to change the t-case fluid

 

EVER? This is showing my ignorance but why not? Almost nothing lasts forever and I highly doubt that my transmission fluid will. Don't misunderstand me on this. I would much rather spend my money on something else than a tranny flush.
Thanks again for the help.

 

I always had my '01 flushed. Same for my parent's '03 Expy, still going strong at 150k. I don't have a manual for a an '04, so I can't speak for what it says in there, but I don't see how it could possibly hurt anything to have your tranny flushed or at least change the fluid.

 

I'm curious...OP, did you have your tranny fluid flushed and filter changed, and if so do you mind telling us how much you paid (and where)?

 

When you guys say "flush" are you referring to simply changing the transmission fluid and filter or actually hooking it up to one of those machines that flushes all of the fluid out? I heard scary things about "flushing" a tranny.

 

I mean hooking it up to a machine. I had it done every 30k on my last 2 trucks and never had any tranny problems. My dad's always done it every 30k on his SD as well, and it has 180k on the clock with 0 problems. The same goes for my sister's '03 Expy....150k and still going.

Also, my grandfather had a SD that was identical to my dad's....same year, engine, configuration, etc, and he didn't believe in regular flushes. His tranny went at 120k. It could just be coincidence, but my family's experience with doing regular tranny flushes has made a believer out of me.

 

The schedule does not call for the fluid to be flushed in all models of trans till 150k.
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../04a04mg5e.pdf page 29.
BUT I will change mine on a 30k schedule.

 

good to know..thanks