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I'm currently at 14K and change and I plan on changing over to fresh fluids in both diffs and the center transfer case.
I went to the dealer where I purchased my Bronco and they have a "quick lube" type service in addition to the traditional service facility.
On a whim, and expecting to be pointed towards the normal service bay, I inquired about swapping in fresh fluids and replacing my rear differential cover with the Ford Performance version (Braptor). They said they could do all of that, no problem. $225 to replace the cover and whatever the fluids would cost. Not too bad actually. It looked like they did a whole lot more than swap fluids when I peeked inside.
For shits and giggles, I went over to the normal service department and inquired the same. The front and rear diff were $199 each. The transfer case was $299 and the diff cover would be 1.5 hours of labor (can't remember their hourly rate). Huge discrepancy.
I know it isn't difficult to replace the fluids or even install the rear diff cover and in fact, I can do this all myself. But warranty. Extended warranty in fact. I'm not exactly trusting of anyone else working on the car when it comes to service. Even on high end cars, I do all the maintenance as I know it'll be done correctly to exacting standards.
I do worry about a tech vs. a mechanic getting it wrong but going to the service dept. doesn't mean I'll get a mechanic. I did ask both departments about warranty related issues and they said there's no difference and both satisfy warranty requirements. I did not tell either department that I cross shopped them.
I guess if the "quick lube" department got it wrong, it'd be covered under warranty but I'd rather not go through that to begin with. I'd rather have my fingernails pulled.
I could just do it myself, replace all the fluids with OEM, and call it a day. I have no indication any of my diffs or transfer case has issues at all, it's just peace of mind. If I drain the rear diff myself, pull the drain plug and there's chunks, that likely opens a whole can of worms. If I replace the fluids and something breaks, they may blame me if I enter the info into the app.
Anyway, just thought the price difference was intriguing.
I went to the dealer where I purchased my Bronco and they have a "quick lube" type service in addition to the traditional service facility.
On a whim, and expecting to be pointed towards the normal service bay, I inquired about swapping in fresh fluids and replacing my rear differential cover with the Ford Performance version (Braptor). They said they could do all of that, no problem. $225 to replace the cover and whatever the fluids would cost. Not too bad actually. It looked like they did a whole lot more than swap fluids when I peeked inside.
For shits and giggles, I went over to the normal service department and inquired the same. The front and rear diff were $199 each. The transfer case was $299 and the diff cover would be 1.5 hours of labor (can't remember their hourly rate). Huge discrepancy.
I know it isn't difficult to replace the fluids or even install the rear diff cover and in fact, I can do this all myself. But warranty. Extended warranty in fact. I'm not exactly trusting of anyone else working on the car when it comes to service. Even on high end cars, I do all the maintenance as I know it'll be done correctly to exacting standards.
I do worry about a tech vs. a mechanic getting it wrong but going to the service dept. doesn't mean I'll get a mechanic. I did ask both departments about warranty related issues and they said there's no difference and both satisfy warranty requirements. I did not tell either department that I cross shopped them.
I guess if the "quick lube" department got it wrong, it'd be covered under warranty but I'd rather not go through that to begin with. I'd rather have my fingernails pulled.
I could just do it myself, replace all the fluids with OEM, and call it a day. I have no indication any of my diffs or transfer case has issues at all, it's just peace of mind. If I drain the rear diff myself, pull the drain plug and there's chunks, that likely opens a whole can of worms. If I replace the fluids and something breaks, they may blame me if I enter the info into the app.
Anyway, just thought the price difference was intriguing.
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