My truck's tranny is slipping between 4 and OD. I'm having the tranny flushed and refilled at the Ford dealer Thursday. Would you guys recommend that I have the transfer case serviced too while they are at it? My truck is at 72,000 miles now. 4x4 is used very little.

 

I definately would! - It only holds about a quart and a quarter - and it's a bit tricky to do it at home, unless you have a pump to refill it.

I believe the "normal" recommendation (per Ford) is 60,000 miles - 30,000 under "severe" or "Special" operating conditions - but it ages just by sitting in the case - and these units are notorious for probs - especially, it seems to me, more from a LACK of usage.

I'd also ask them to use Mercon V - if the extra $6 or $12 is not going to stretch you - labor for that service can't be more than $15 (?).

Best of luck, Glenn ...

 

What do you mean by slipping? If you are doing a lot of driving in town at 35 to 40 mph the tranny will constantly shift back and forth between 4 and OD. A lot of people think this is slippage but it ain't. All automatics with OD do this.........ONly thing you can do is leave it in D while you are driving in town.

 

What I mean is that under acceleration, when it shifts from 4 to OD you can feel a "grind" or vibration and you can hear it in the driveline and then after a few seconds it will go ahead and lock into OD. The truck has done this since I bought it at 68,000 miles. Another guy on FTE said his did the same thing and he had his tranny fluid changed and it fixed his problem. So I'm going to try that.

Thanks for the advice on the transfer case.

 

Make sure you use only MERCON V fluid in this. Also, there arew some new updated valve body parts that make these trannys shift much better. Ask your dealer to ck tsb 02-13-08.

 

Make sure you use only MERCON V fluid in this. Also, there arew some new updated valve body parts that make these trannys shift much better. Ask your dealer to ck tsb 02-13-08.

 

Yesterday the Ford dealer did a "powerflush" on my transmission and refilled it with MERCON V fluid. The entire process took about 45 minutes and cost me $125.00 plus tax.

When I left the dealership, I noticed two things:

1.) The slipping between 4 and OD is completely gone. The transmission shifts very smoothly again, just like brand new.

2.) I had a loud squeaking or chirping noise coming from the tranny area of the truck. It was so loud that I could roll my window down at a red light and hear it echo off of other vehicles. It didn't make the noise under heave acceleration, only while cruising or at idle.

I called Ford back and told them, and they were all clueless. This morning when I got up and left for work, the noise was gone. Who knows if it'll return or not...but for now it's gone. ODD stuff. But I just wanted to let you all know that if you've got the 5-speed automatic and it has some miles on it, a tranny powerflush at your Dealer will help a LOT.

I also had my rear differential serviced and limited slip additive was put in too (as a result of an accident I was in that busted my pinion seal). So that was all free, and my rear-diff. works a lot better now too with the new fluid. It really IS noticeable.

Now I guess the front diff. and transfer case will be serviced next, whenever I get some time and money. Thanks for all the advice guys.