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- Sep 26, 2010
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I just changed the front and rear differential, transfer case, and transmission fluids. I will be sending the samples to Blackstone for UOAs next week (Houston is covered in ice today). Mileage on all fluids is 13,300.
All of the fluids were the OEM fills which were (from front to rear of truck):
What did seem strange was the color of the front and rear differential fluid (of course I understand color is not a science of any type). The front fluid (8.8 Ford axle) was a creamy honey color (as if there was water in the oil--truck has not been in water other than rain). It still smelled like gear oil, but I have never seen oil with only 13,300 miles have this color. I replaced it with Castrol Syntec 75w-90w which had a very clear color and not milky in the slightest. Anyone see MC 80w-90 straight from the bottle? Is it close to this color? Here is the front fluid:
Next, the rear fluid seems to have a large amount of metal in it. I have changed the rear fluid in almost every truck that I have owned at about 10-13,000 miles and none of them were this gray. When looking at the oil against a white background, one can almost see the metal filings in it. Anyone else have this experience with the 9.75 Ford axle? Is this normal? I put MC 75w-140 synthetic back in it, but I plan to replace with M1 in front and rear at the next fluid change. Here is the rear fluid:
Thoughts and comments are welcome! I will post the UOAs when they return from Blackstone.
All of the fluids were the OEM fills which were (from front to rear of truck):
- Motorcraft 80w-90w Premium Gear Lube
- Motorcraft Mercon LV Transmission Fluid
- Motorcraft Mercon 5 Transmission Fluid (XL-12)
- Motorcraft 75w-140w Synthetic Gear Lube
What did seem strange was the color of the front and rear differential fluid (of course I understand color is not a science of any type). The front fluid (8.8 Ford axle) was a creamy honey color (as if there was water in the oil--truck has not been in water other than rain). It still smelled like gear oil, but I have never seen oil with only 13,300 miles have this color. I replaced it with Castrol Syntec 75w-90w which had a very clear color and not milky in the slightest. Anyone see MC 80w-90 straight from the bottle? Is it close to this color? Here is the front fluid:
Next, the rear fluid seems to have a large amount of metal in it. I have changed the rear fluid in almost every truck that I have owned at about 10-13,000 miles and none of them were this gray. When looking at the oil against a white background, one can almost see the metal filings in it. Anyone else have this experience with the 9.75 Ford axle? Is this normal? I put MC 75w-140 synthetic back in it, but I plan to replace with M1 in front and rear at the next fluid change. Here is the rear fluid:
Thoughts and comments are welcome! I will post the UOAs when they return from Blackstone.