Am I the drama???

[Aknobronco]

Hey All,

I did a quick search to see if anyone has mentioned this but didn't see anything. I have a 22 BL 4D, and I'll start by saying that I flippin' love my pony. I've never enjoyed a vehicle like I do this one, for so many reasons! However, I'm a bit concerned, and though I don't think so, I'm not sure if it's something I'm doing, or an issue with the Bronco. And if so, what can be done about it. A few months ago, the rear seal on the front dif had to be replaced. Now today it's going in because the right front axel seal is leaking. I'm just under 30k, so warranty is covering it, but why have 2 seals gone out so quickly? I'll be honest...first, I tried to blame my husband... since he just moved us from Texas to Kansas and the county dirt roads here are blah. But his truck is fine, so I didn't have a leg to stand on. I've not done any major playing in the pony, other than a handful of donuts when we got our first snow a few weeks ago. Certainly nothing like we did at the Off-Rodeo, and like I see so many other stock broncos doing. (btw, did great in reg and Slippery modes, and I fell a bit deeper in love, and its the only way I'll ever enjoy this dang snow)
So, is anyone else seeing seals go out this quickly, and what are you doing about it?

It's working as intended by Ford CEO Jim Farley, that's what the warranty is for according to stealerships.

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[tock13]

At least you got 30k outs of the front seal. Mine was leaking and replaced with a whole 271 miles on the odometer.

 

[KABQ]

I never had a Ford that didn't leak some kind of fluid, Like the chopper crew in the Marines told me when I brought it to their attention the hydraulics are leaking they said "That's normal, start worrying when you don't see it leaking!!"

53/Shitter?

 

[Built2Wild]

I am currently having my front diff replaced, it's been at the dealership since last week. I have 40k on the odometer and use 4A all the time in sunny California. I was told that I should have my driveline fluids changed every 30k since I do go offroad at least once a month on rough terrain with the exception of the transfer case which should done at 50k. I am really considering getting an extended warranty on the driveline based on this experience and my usage. All in all I have no regrets and know what the Bronco can really do if you put it to use.

 

[RIDE]

I am currently having my front diff replaced, it's been at the dealership since last week. I have 40k on the odometer and use 4A all the time in sunny California. I was told that I should have my driveline fluids changed every 30k since I do go offroad at least once a month on rough terrain with the exception of the transfer case which should done at 50k. I am really considering getting an extended warranty on the driveline based on this experience and my usage. All in all I have no regrets and know what the Bronco can really do if you put it to use.

Did they believe the reason for the failure was your use of 4A? It seems likely the cause but I’m curious if that’s what they pointing to.

And 30,k fluid change seems so overly frequent to me unless you were often submerged in water or something. My guess is it’s to flush out gear debris cuz I can’t think you’re diff would be engaged enough to break down fluid lube qualities of synthetic gear oil in that short of drive duration. But maybe I’m not understanding the methodology of the 4A system in these like I think I do.

 

[KC2LLW]

53/Shitter?

Yes, leaking rattling shaking and smoking just like a Ford lol. But still got us where we needed to go.

 

[CelticCactus]

I am currently having my front diff replaced, it's been at the dealership since last week. I have 40k on the odometer and use 4A all the time in sunny California. I was told that I should have my driveline fluids changed every 30k since I do go offroad at least once a month on rough terrain with the exception of the transfer case which should done at 50k. I am really considering getting an extended warranty on the driveline based on this experience and my usage. All in all I have no regrets and know what the Bronco can really do if you put it to use.

I completely agree, no regrets. I absolutely love my Bronco. Especially after doing the Off-Roadeo experience and learning even more about the tech that goes into these vehicles. Whoa baby!!! I'm still in the honeymoon phase with mine though, and have some mods to do as time/money allows, before I really get it out there. (there are some places on our property back in TX that I can't wait to get to bc I know our full-sized trucks never have been able to.) But I will admit that I am disheartened to see the poor quality of these new models as so many respond to this post. My husband had a Bronco when we were in high school, and we ran that thing through it all (especially being dumb teenagers! lol). It was a beast.
I feel really old saying it, but they just don't make things like they used to, even with the advances in tech.

 

[RIDE]

But I will admit that I am disheartened to see the poor quality of these new models as so many respond to this post. My husband had a Bronco when we were in high school, and we ran that thing through it all (especially being dumb teenagers! lol). It was a beast.
I feel really old saying it, but they just don't make things like they used to, even with the advances in tech.

Ditto.

 

[Built2Wild]

Did they believe the reason for the failure was your use of 4A? It seems likely the cause but I’m curious if that’s what they pointing to.

And 30,k fluid change seems so overly frequent to me unless you were often submerged in water or something. My guess is it’s to flush out gear debris cuz I can’t think you’re diff would be engaged enough to break down fluid lube qualities of synthetic gear oil in that short of drive duration. But maybe I’m not understanding the methodology of the 4A system in these like I think I do.

I personally doubt it had anything to do with 4A, I noticed something was wrong after I was driving down some washouts in Death Valley at a relatively high speed and maybe that could have contributed to the leak. After reading various threads on this issue and how various owners are using their Broncos, I am chalking it up to a faulty part like cam phasers F150 3.5 V6.

 

[RIDE]

I personally doubt it had anything to do with 4A, I noticed something was wrong after I was driving down some washouts in Death Valley at a relatively high speed and maybe that could have contributed to the leak. After reading various threads on this issue and how various owners are using their Broncos, I am chalking it up to a faulty part like cam phasers F150 3.5 V6.

So… your thinking cam phasers had something to do with the front diff failing?

J/k and I get your meaning. I think what bugs me as that we need to pay attention to our diffs at all this early in their lifespan. Like @CelticCactus I come from the vein that maintain your diffs at recommended intervals (adjusting for usage) and you should expect at least 100,k problem free miles. On the one hand, I think the 30,k change interval they gave you is stupidly excessive for any differential. BUT I guess frequent use of 4A would keep your front diff engaged much of the time and I’m assuming at highway speeds maybe necessitates that?

Either way, it might be worth asking your dealership if 4A contributes to your early differential wear. This one was covered under warranty but if the next time your warranty has run out, it’d be good info to have now and decide if you want to modify your use patterns.

 

[Built2Wild]

So… your thinking cam phasers had something to do with the front diff failing?

J/k and I get your meaning. I think what bugs me as that we need to pay attention to our diffs at all this early in their lifespan. Like @CelticCactus I come from the vein that maintain your diffs at recommended intervals (adjusting for usage) and you should expect at least 100,k problem free miles. On the one hand, I think the 30,k change interval they gave you is stupidly excessive for any differential. BUT I guess frequent use of 4A would keep your front diff engaged much of the time and I’m assuming at highway speeds maybe necessitates that?

Either way, it might be worth asking your dealership if 4A contributes to your early differential wear. This one was covered under warranty but if the next time your warranty has run out, it’d be good info to have now and decide if you want to modify your use patterns.

I will inquire about the 4A possible contributing to the repair but I am going to get an extended warranty regardless since this going to be my forever vehicle.

 

[Built2Wild]

I will inquire about the 4A possible contributing to the repair but I am going to get an extended warranty regardless since this going to be my forever vehicle.

So… your thinking cam phasers had something to do with the front diff failing?

J/k and I get your meaning. I think what bugs me as that we need to pay attention to our diffs at all this early in their lifespan. Like @CelticCactus I come from the vein that maintain your diffs at recommended intervals (adjusting for usage) and you should expect at least 100,k problem free miles. On the one hand, I think the 30,k change interval they gave you is stupidly excessive for any differential. BUT I guess frequent use of 4A would keep your front diff engaged much of the time and I’m assuming at highway speeds maybe necessitates that?

Either way, it might be worth asking your dealership if 4A contributes to your early differential wear. This one was covered under warranty but if the next time your warranty has run out, it’d be good info to have now and decide if you want to modify your use patterns.

I got the Bronco back yesterday and everything is perfectly fine and I did inquiry if 4A could have contributed to the issue. They responded with a no since they have customers who drive their Broncos in Sports Mode which is always in 4A without any issues. I just glad to be back in the Bronco.

 

[Quest]

Just do what I did. Break your FD a couple of times. Can't leak if you keep having a new one put in!

 

[nfosterma]

Going to open huge cans of worms on this with fellow B6G members about maintenance intervals of vehicle oils and inspections...but here it goes...

After many hours of research on this WISE B6G forum and the BN forum, I chose to change all my oils and have full underbelly inspection at around 20K miles. YOU DO YOU! I'm not a doctor and I DID NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I recommend at least thinking about your vehicle's oils (front diff/transfer case/trans/engine oil/rear diff) at frequent intervals, contrary to owner's manual. I know! Blasphemous words!...Perhaps frequent inspections and/or oil changes, could have caught these diff issues you are experiencing. Do your own research here on the forums to form your own opinion about oils.

I recently brought my Bronco in for its first 10K oil change. When I was done, the dealer had put an oil reminder sticker on my windshield saying to bring it back in 5,000 miles for the following oil change. The 10K interval seemed too good to be true, so I have decided to oil changes every 5K miles in the future. As a customer loyalty benefit, my dealership only charges $12 for a simple oil change, which seems like a cheap insurance policy.

Your post makes me feel better about my decision.

 

[KC2LLW]

I change my oil on all my vehicles at 3500-4000 max and they all take synthetic oil other than my old PSD 7.3 which took 16 quarts of Rotella t at 3000 miles I treat all my vehicles with loving care and depend on them to be reliable to me.

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