Changing transmission fluid is bad?

[bdf]

I called Firestone to get an alignment., tranny flush (full) and do the transfer case and rear end. the guy said he would have to look at the tranny cause it has 90k on it. it might be bad to flush it.
Anyone have an educated opinion on this? I don't mess with trannys and axles. I am more of a tune up oil change guy.

thanks

 

[badgett]

I've heard this before but I'm not sure what the reason is. I have had a mechanic tell me that with ford's, IF IT AINT BROKE! DON"T FIX IT! As far as the axle and t-case is concerned.

 

[bdf]

well I have a lincoln mark viii with 138k on it and I changed the tranny fluid iin it for the first time at 120k, they have notoriously crappy trans in them. its still fine.

I'm at a loss. I'm not having issues, just want to prevent anything I'm at about 95k

 

[Turdle]

I think the concern with a high mileage vehicle when speaking of a power flush is the possibilty of dislodging a peice of foriegn material, present due to poor maintenance.
A fluid change ( pan drop, filter and fill) would be safer in this case

 

[bdf]

the guy said he wanted to see it, what the hell would he be looking at? guess ill just cheap out and get a fluid and filter change, if it wernt so damn messy I'd do it my self.

any advice on the AWD transaxle or the rear end?

 

[410Fortune]

he would be checking the condition of the trans fluid.

Backflushing the trans internals or powerflushing it can in fact dislodge sludge and debris and cause issues with clogging in the valve body.
A pan drop, fluid and filter change is safer. If the truck in question has a converter drain, dont forget to use it as well.

Make sure they use MERCON 5 when they refill or at least use the addative for the older Mercon fluid, also use a DACRON filter, no crappy paper filters with rivited pickup tubes.

 

[bdf]

hey thanks. filters are cheap I might take my own stuff to them and just let them charge me labor.

 

[410Fortune]

use a Motocraft filter, cheap is not always good.
Your trans pan SHOULD have a re-usable gasket, if so it will say on the pan, dont let them throw it away or replace it with a cheap-o

 

[bdf]

damn, thinking I might just do it my self. sounds like if I don't spend 200 at the dealership their just going to screw it up.

 

[bdf]

if I do it my self any advice? can I use synthetic even though I have a tq converter full of merc v (i hope) and is there anything special to know, or just drop the pan dump it, stick on new filter and put pan on and refill? oh and how much will refill it with the converter still full?

thanks

 

[410Fortune]

Have you tried a search on this forum?

Which truck is gettig the work done and which engine does it have?
Dropping the pan and replacing the filter is not too hard, but it does require you to get the truck up in the air and get something to catch all the fluid that will spill when you drop the pan.

This topic is discussed on here alot, as far as how to do it.

 

[bdf]

its the 99 V8 AWD. I don't have access to a lift. guess ill see if they will just do the labor.