Transmission flush vs fluid replacement

[Ranger X]

So my local dealer just quoted me $289 to flush the transmission and flush the filter. My question is is this OK or would it be better to replace the filter and replace the fluid? Also, will the dealers add lube guard or do I need to bring that in and ask them to add it?

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[Ranger X]

900+ to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid damn

 

[Chris M]

900+ to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid damn

If you're handy with automotive stuff, there's plenty of folks here that can walk you through doing it yourself and saving money in the process. Add a "FitzStick" while doing it to make future servicing more user friendly.

 

[JimG_AZ]

900+ to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid damn

That price is insane! For a Ford tech, I'll bet it is less than a 1 hour job. Plus the 7 quarts of Mercon ULV ATF, OEM transmission filer, filter seal, and transmission pan gasket should be @ $200 in parts. Chris M is spot on. Since you are looking to add Lube Guard, I would definitely install a FitzStick transmission dip stick and a get a cheap 12v pump from Amazon to drain all the fluid from the transmission pan. You will probably pump a little over 6 quarts of ATF from the pan through the FitzSlick dipstick tube. You can then use the FitzStick dipstick tube to add the new ATF and Lube Guard. Once that transmission pan has been drained, dropping the pan and swapping the filter should be easy.

Like Chris said, there are writeups on this forum for installing the FitzStick, and replacing the transmission filter. There should also be videos on YouTube. This is not a difficult job. If you take this on, while you are under your truck, it is probably not a bad time to replace the differential and transfer case fluid. All are easy jobs and you will save a lot of money.

 

[Ranger X]

Yeah - the tech said it would be 440 for parts and 470 for labor - WTH

 

[Ranger X]

What’s the downside of doing the flush vs dropping the pan??

 

[JimG_AZ]

What’s the downside of doing the flush vs dropping the pan??

That is a question for smarter people than me.

How many miles are on your Ranger? I installed my FitzStick at @ 35k miles. At that time I pumped 6 quarts of ATF from the pan and added 6 fresh quarts plus the Lube Guard. Make sure you do not overfill. Just measure what comes out and put the same amount back in. You will have the FitzStick to tell if you level is correct. Then at 40k miles, I replaced another 6 quarts with more Lube Guard. This summer I'll be at 45k miles and I'll drop the pan and replace the filter. I may put the PPE Aluminum pan in at that time too. That pan is @ $300.

 

[PapaBill]

900+ to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid damn

It is a DIY if you can use a ratchet wrench and socket, pliers, screw drivers & other simple tools and crawl under your truck. EZ PEAZY Suck the tranny fluid out first.
Semper Fi.
B

 

[Bkboyes]

Thats about right... at 70yrs old, I take it the dealer every 35k for fluid flush and change. 65k on a 2019 and 'no trans issue yet'...plus I have a record and dealer has a record of trans maintenance...plus I have extended warranty...

 

[ctechbob]

What’s the downside of doing the flush vs dropping the pan??

If you are over 60-80k it really is time to change the filter, so you'd need to do the pan drop.

Before that, you're likely ok for them to use the machine and do a fluid swap, or the DIY vac n fill.

Either way, I would add the LG yourself afterwards. The dealer is probably going to make a stink about it.

 

[TNFFRNGR]

I will offer this as someone who used to work in a transmission shop and as a prior owner to an new frontier with the nine speed I would suggest dropping the pan and replacing the filter if there is any doubt about it at all.
These new multispeed transmissions work a helluva lot harder than the four through six speed autos of years ago.
They have more clutch packs more moving parts shift more and are behind engines making way bigger horsepower and torque. Another thing too is how soft the transmissions shift.
This soft shift dosent occur without some amount of slip before the plates lock 100%
When you do a fluid only change, you're not removing the debris from the filter, the pan sides corners nor the debris magnets in the pan. The fluid is fresh but there is still a chance of reduced pump pressure and flow due to filter restriction.
It's kinda a pain first time DIY but there are plenty of forum members and YouTube videos to draw step by step help from. All the materials including tools to do it with yourself is far cheaper than buying a transmission.

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