PTU / RDU Oil Change Results @ 5K Mile Service (on 2025 Maverick LOBO)

[troyfordguy]

After seeing a few posts on here and on YouTube, I decided not to wait and change the RDU / PTU oil at 5,000 miles on my 2025 LOBO.

Photos and Videos below of my findings. TLDW/R = DON'T WAIT to change, or at least top-off your fluids in the PTU & RDU. For the life of me, I don't know why Ford is under-filling these units. Seems cheaper to fill them than replacing them, I've seen posts of 18K miles and needing replacement and while I'm glad it would be under warranty... I don't want the downtime and dealer visit if I can help it.

Apologize for the separate videos, didn't have any time to lump them into 1 and edit it all before wanting to post up.

- RDU Drain

- RDU Drain Pan

- RDU Drain Plug Metal

- PTU Drain

- PTU Drain Plug Metal


Troy.

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[Parabellum]

Pretty consistent with what’s been found so far. Good thing you did it early. Nice Maverick!

 

[Chops]

After seeing a few posts on here and on YouTube, I decided not to wait and change the RDU / PTU oil at 5,000 miles on my 2025 LOBO.

Photos and Videos below of my findings. TLDW/R = DON'T WAIT to change, or at least top-off your fluids in the PTU & RDU. For the life of me, I don't know why Ford is under-filling these units. Seems cheaper to fill them than replacing them, I've seen posts of 18K miles and needing replacement and while I'm glad it would be under warranty... I don't want the downtime and dealer visit if I can help it.

Thank you for helpful post!

Question - do you think I can do RDU first on two rear 7inch ramps instead of truck being level on four jackstands? Then same way for in front for PTU?Does a slight tilt affect the fill?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Cherokee]

PTU, RDU filled to proper levels on my 2024
Checked at 3,000 miles.

 

[matmondro]

Good idea you did it early. Now that you know the fluids are properly topped up, from here I'd keep changing it every 25k miles or less to be safe! Would rather do fluid changes than a PTU change lol.

 

[troyfordguy]

Thank you for helpful post!

Question - do you think I can do RDU first on two rear 7inch ramps instead of truck being level on four jackstands? Then same way for in front for PTU?Does a slight tilt affect the fill?

Thanks for any advice!

I would absolutely recommend level so you get all of the fluid back into the RDU & PTU. Heck, now that I think about it, jacking up the rear only would allow you to slightly overfill it which probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[troyfordguy]

Good idea you did it early. Now that you know the fluids are properly topped up, from here I'd keep changing it every 25k miles or less to be safe! Would rather do fluid changes than a PTU change lol.

I will absolutely change the PTU & RDU with the Transmission Fluid every 30K, I would hate to have it go out.

 

[matmondro]

I will absolutely change the PTU & RDU with the Transmission Fluid every 30K, I would hate to have it go out.

Absolutely for the transmission fluid too.

 

[NIKwithoutaC]

My previous vehicle was one of the early Flexes that had the non-serviceable "fluid for life" PTU. I initially tried to do the "suck and fill" method around 100K miles, then later did the DIY drain plug mod, but it didn't matter, the PTU was dead at 145K.

Needless to say, I'm happy these units come with drain plugs.

 

[YV1227]

Any way to get the fluids list, mine is a EB at under 4000 miles, maybe I want to do this. Might as well do the transmission too.

 

[Lone Ridr]

Thank you for helpful post!

Question - do you think I can do RDU first on two rear 7inch ramps instead of truck being level on four jackstands? Then same way for in front for PTU?Does a slight tilt affect the fill?

Thanks for any advice!

I service the RDU flat on my back without stands, no problem. When I pulled the plug, a dribble of oil ran down the housing. It was full. The oil was clean and the plug had a fair amount of grit on it which has always been the case on all services done on many different brands in 58 years. This vehicle is a 2024 Lariat built November 7, 2024, purchased November 30, 2024.

 

[LALAGreen]

Is that dirty oil or oil with friction modifier in it? Does it stink real bad? I remember rebuilding Mustang 8.8 rears and that modifier has a nasty smell. Handle with rubber gloves on.

 

[HeyBales]

Is that dirty oil or oil with friction modifier in it? Does it stink real bad? I remember rebuilding Mustang 8.8 rears and that modifier has a nasty smell. Handle with rubber gloves on.

That's a good point - seen some videos lately of mechanics commenting on the nasty smell of new spec'd lube/oil.
I guess buy some ahead of time to know what it smells like - in case attempting to give a smell check to what's already there.

 

[HeyBales]

Any way to get the fluids list, mine is a EB at under 4000 miles, maybe I want to do this. Might as well do the transmission too.

From the list below of 5 similar threads.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...du-fluid-change-25k-miles-tips-results.55789/

 

[rclee]

What a damn nice garage you have! I can only dream of having mine that nice. Oh and thanks for the info.

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