Changing ALL the fluids in the 2003 sport trac

[mxl4729]

So i bought a 2003 sport track a few months ago with 60,000 and want to make sure it is ready to last two 160,000 so i have started to change all the fluids.

the oil was black as black can be so i changed it ever 200 miles untill it came out clean. then put mobile 1 in it.

then i changed the transmission fluind by dropping the pan and changing the filter. then i removed the fluid return line and ran the motor as i dumped in more fluid until 24 quarts when thought it. then i added a transmission drain plug see post here ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278945 )

drained the antifreeze filled with water. drained again and filled with distilled water and zerex g05 antifreeze

then i changed the brake fluid. had some one pump the brakes and kept opening the bleeder plug until i ran 4 bottles of break fluid through

next i moved on to the power steering fluid. removed the return line from the Power steering cooler. plug the hose going toing to the reservoir (all the fluid drains out when you pull the hose) filled the reservoir and started it while poring more power steering fluid in (ran 3 quarts through it)

So whats left for me to change???????????

Transfer case fluid ?
front and rear diff ?

anything i am missing?

from reading the form here i need a oil sucker to change the front diff. can anyone recommend a good one.

also how hard it is to change the transfer case fluid

 

[John_Rock]

Blinker fluid? (joke)

Transfer case should be easy. It has a drain and fill plug. Just remove the skidplate.

The front differential is a pita. You would have to remove the whole axle.

You could also have an auto place service your A/C. Suck out all the old freon and recharge it.

 

[Clusterpup]

You can have a shop change the front diff fluid they dont have to remove the cover as many of them have a vacuum that can suck it out. You could probably suck it out yourself with one of those suction pumps you can buy but diff oil is thick and sucks to pump it by hand.

 

[John_Rock]

You can have a shop change the front diff fluid they dont have to remove the cover as many of them have a vacuum that can suck it out. You could probably suck it out yourself with one of those suction pumps you can buy but diff oil is thick and sucks to pump it by hand.

That takes all the fun out of it. I bet I can take mine out in less than an hour.

 

[Clusterpup]

LOL. When I finished changing my rear oil I went to go do the front and was like "wtf man? are you kidding me?" Its been a couple of months, I still havent changed it.

 

[JohnnyO]

Transfer case should be easy. It has a drain and fill plug. Just remove the skidplate.

I didn't even have to do that. A 3/8" socket drive will remove the plugs. The case is aluminum so don't crank the plugs back in real tight. Just snug is fine.
It will drain better if you have the front wheels on ramps. Buy a suction gun, about $9, to fill it. The tranny calls for Mercon V ATF but the transfer case calls for plain Mercon ATF. I used Mobil 1 ATF. Put a sheet of cardboard on the ground first, it can get messy. I have done this and taken pics and posted it as a Member Project at www.mysporttrac.com.

I tried jerry-rigging my suction gun with smaller tubing to suck out the front diff and did not meet with success. Really the only way to do it is to roll up to the Valvoline Qwicky-Lube and have them do it with a suction machine. Only costs about $40.

The manual calls for a tranny flush every 30k and fresh t-case lube every 60k but the t-case lube will look like tar long before then so I'd change it every 30k too.

 

[mxl4729]

I did do an AC servise i forgot to metion that. When i got the truck it was winter and i could not tell of the AC worked. sure enought when it go hot it did not work. the compresor was cycling on and off every 10 seconds.

I took it to a friend that works in a shop and connected to an Snapno AC machine. it sucked out 15oz of freaon and i think the system called for 30oz. rechanrged it and checked everywere for a leak but could not find one.

anyone else have a problem like that?


I found the transfer case drain plug removal and will try that. i added a link for anyone else that wanted to find it.

http://www.mysporttrac.com/shared/projects.asp?VIEW=438&WRENCHES=3&PageHeader=


whats more important to change first the the transfer case or the diffs fluids?

why does the transfer case fluid change to tar? i would think it does not get as hot as the tranz.

 

[ncranchero]

.

http://www.mysporttrac.com/shared/projects.asp?VIEW=438&WRENCHES=3&PageHeader=
whats more important to change first the the transfer case or the diffs fluids?

I'd say do the transfer case. Most people never change the diff oil and you don't hear of many rear end failures.

 

[JohnnyO]

why does the transfer case fluid change to tar? i would think it does not get as hot as the tranz.

Beats me. It'll be black by 20k though.
Thanks for putting my link up. No matter where I go on that site, my URL box just says www.mysporttrac.com.

 

[mxl4729]

Beats me. It'll be black by 20k though.
Thanks for putting my link up. No matter where I go on that site, my URL box just says www.mysporttrac.com.

all you have to do is right click on the page and go down to properites.

it took me about 5 mins to find so i figured i would save others the trouble