Four-wheel Drive Servicing

M

MikeH

Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
4,611
My pickup is due for it's first differential/transfer case servicing. Would you trust one of these quick lube places to do it, or would you use the dealer or a speciality shop?

I use a Texaco Express Service for oil changes and have been very happy with them. However, because of a bad experience with Express Oil Change I am hesitant to venture beyond engine oil change/lube services with these type shops.

Don't bother to suggest doing it myself, because after my working on my wife's car lead directly to my second back surgery, I don't do that any more.
 
What kind of truck? A strait axle truck is super easy to do. The one IFS truck I had I didn’t own long enough to worry about servicing the major components. I would replace the fluid with full synthetic oil also.

I missed the part about the wife’s car, I wont touch a modern car, but I refuse to let someone else do maintenance on my wife and I trucks. Both are diesels and its just to expensive if someone else makes a mistake
 
I don't trust Jiffy Lube type places, and I take my truck to the dealer for service.
 
If you are mechanically inclined, do it yourself. Get a Hanes Manual, it will give all locations, torque specs, the whole nine yards.

1) Quick lube places will DESTROY your vehicle
2) Dealership will bust something and not tell you (bolt, shield, something)
3) They are all the same - gotta do it yourself. Set aside 4 hours for the first time, a couple beers and you're good to go.

Diff or transfer are a) remove drain, drain, refill, done. I suggest going synthetic also, it does make a difference to longevity.
 
Reputable, local, A.S.E. certified mechanic/independent shop.

They will do just as good of job as the dealer, for roughly half the cost.

Ask friends, co-workers, relatives, ect for references to a good shop. Just make sure that the shop and technicians are A.S.E. certified. Ask to see their credentials.

It's like picking out a new doctor.
 
While a Vehicle is still under warranty, I will go to the Dealer.
I saw a Family member taken to task on a car warranty. The company checked to see if every service was done. What saved them was, they had all the services done by the Dealer.
BTW This was on a Subaru Transmission Problem that was so bad that they replaced the whole car under warranty.
The problem with Oil/Lube service is most of the time this job goes to the New Techs in a Garage.
 
Never trust those fools at a quick-lube place to service your vehicle. I barely trust them to change the oil in an emergency.
 
Best bet might be to find a recommendation or 3 for a good independent mechanic with a good rep. If you can find such a person, you will never go back to the dealership. I don't much care for dealerships, but do think they generally provide good - but very spendy - service. Seems like they start at $300.00 before they actually do any work.
 
I agree with those who say don't go to a quick lube. I've had first hand knowledge of 4-5 people who lost engines because they forgot to add oil, had drain plugs cross threaded, etc. If I ever did go to one, I'd visually inspect dipstick, plug, and filter before driving off the lot.
 
Another vote for DIY, if possible. The very few and rare times I've allowed a shop to touch a car for me they have SCREWED IT UP. Even once during a freaking estimate.

Loathe the shop, Love your ride.
 
I lost a very custom and very expensive C6 tranny with gear splitter thanks to a Jiffy Lube, Mr Lube type place. NEVER AGAIN.

I wont comment on what i think of dealers and their mechanics. family forum and all.

learn to do it yourself, get a experienced 4x4 person or local group to run you thru the process. its pretty easy, and fun. You also get to know your own vehicle better, a MUST when in the woods.
 
I have had the fast-lube place forget to re-fill the trans on a trans service. I prefer dealer service but it is usually a premium over a quality independent. If you are capable, then DIY is good.
 
If I were you I'd check the owner's manual and find the proper weight of the oil and correct volume and relay this info to them. Most places are known to use wrong oil and either not enough or too much. Trust me, I know about lube :D
 
Just to toss this in, most guys who have had problems with quicky shops, went to privately owned or franchised shops. if you can find a corporate run place like the place I worked for, yeah you might still have a problem, but they have the coin to fix it, no questions asked. one of the most vocal supporters of the shop I worked at was a guy who we destroyed his t-case on his dakota, but since the company fixed it really fast, he loved the place.
+1 on having your info, I've run into plain bad or misleading info on some systems, and you'll save the guy the headache of remembering what it is. although, yours should be just Dextron3, unless its push button shift which I don't think is possible, then it'll be the special blue stuff.

go to a few shops and see how they work, I mostly blame the people who own the cars for their problems, the buyer must always beware.
 
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