First Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid service done - results & photos

[EMD_Driver]

Since I was changing my engine oil at 22,000 I decided to wait the extra 2,000 and do the PTU then also.

I was advised to change the PTU fluid every 20-30,000mi and now I know why. There was quite a bit of metallic particles in the gear oil.

Sorry about the reflection.. Best pics I could get.. I also cleaned off the drain plug and here's what I got on the rag:

The PTU service itself was a breeze. I didn't take pics of the drain and fill plugs. The fill plug wasn't very photogenic..

The fill plug is on the passenger side of the PTU and is a 8mm hex. I always remove the fill plug first. The drain plug is just a standard 3/8" ratchet. You may want to use a 3" extension on the ratchet. I drained the PTU, then put a few pumps of the new gear oil through from the fill hole, to flush it a little bit. It may not have been necessary, but it made me feel better.

After reinstalling the drain plug, I filled it with Amsoil 75w-140 Severe Gear oil. I only got about 10 oz out of it, but it took a full 16oz to fill it to the bottom of the fill hole.

I hope this helps some of you.. This was a super easy service and one that most anyone can do.. It will also help extend the life of your PTU.

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[Gullzway]

I had to Google PTU to realize I don't have to worry about this on my hybrid. You had me worried.

 

[Darnon]

I've seen what the V6 AWD PTUs can do to their gear oil left unchanged and it ain't pretty.

 

[MostlySafeBear]

I had to Google PTU to realize I don't have to worry about this on my hybrid. You had me worried.

Can you tell us what you found?

I googled it and only found "Power Takeoff (or Take-up) Unit", which clearly do not apply here.

 

[dalola]

Good info, thanks for sharing! Seems way easier than my wife's RDX, which was a total PITA!

Must have been under-filled from the assembly line..... not sure how else you get 10 oz out, and 16 back in! What is the capacity spec?

Given what you found, I'll probably change mine at the first oil change.

 

[dalola]

Can you tell us what you found?

I googled it and only found "Power Takeoff (or Take-up) Unit", which clearly do not apply here.

It's basically the equivalent of the transfer case in a true 4x4. Power Transfer Unit, used in FWD biased AWD vehicles.

 

[Darnon]

I googled it and only found "Power Takeoff (or Take-up) Unit", which clearly do not apply here.

That is what Ford calls it. It's the gearbox assembly that bolts onto the output of the transmission and rotates 90 degrees into the driveshaft to the rear.

 

[MostlySafeBear]

It's basically the equivalent of the transfer case in a true 4x4. Power Transfer Unit, used in FWD biased AWD vehicles.

That is what Ford calls it. It's the gearbox assembly that bolts onto the output of the transmission and rotates 90 degrees into the driveshaft to the rear.

Thanks. If the hybrid ever gets offered with AWD, I'm sure I'll need to be more familiar with it then.

 

[Rivers90]

Good to know it is easy to reach fill and drain ports. It would be nice if someone can post photos or a video showing where the drain and fill points are.

The PTU is hard on its oil because it has both a hypoid gear and a clutch pack. If you have an AWD maverick you need to make sure it gets changed.

Mavericks without all wheel drive don't have this to keep track of.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Since I was changing my engine oil at 22,000 I decided to wait the extra 2,000 and do the PTU then also.

I was advised to change the PTU fluid every 20-30,000mi and now I know why. There was quite a bit of metallic particles in the gear oil.

Sorry about the reflection.. Best pics I could get.. I also cleaned off the drain plug and here's what I got on the rag:

The PTU service itself was a breeze. I didn't take pics of the drain and fill plugs. The fill plug wasn't very photogenic..

The fill plug is on the passenger side of the PTU and is a 8mm hex. I always remove the fill plug first. The drain plug is just a standard 3/8" ratchet. You may want to use a 3" extension on the ratchet. I drained the PTU, then put a few pumps of the new gear oil through from the fill hole, to flush it a little bit. It may not have been necessary, but it made me feel better.

After reinstalling the drain plug, I filled it with Amsoil 75w-140 Severe Gear oil. I only got about 10 oz out of it, but it took a full 16oz to fill it to the bottom of the fill hole.

I hope this helps some of you.. This was a super easy service and one that most anyone can do.. It will also help extend the life of your PTU.

Finding metal in the first gear oil change is not uncommon from everything initially breaking in.

 

[Aherpa]

It might interesting to see what Ford's lube for the PTU look likes new, out of the can. That way a guy can get a better idea what is going on the gearbox.

If that pearl looking stuff is metal bits, holy crap, that's a lot of metal. . . . if the lube looks like that out of the can, it's a different story.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[dalola]

It might interesting to see what Ford's lube for the PTU look likes new, out of the can. That way a guy can get a better idea what is going on the gearbox.

If that pearl looking stuff is metal bits, holy crap, that's a lot of metal. . . . if the lube looks like that out of the can, it's a different story.

Thanks for sharing.

lol.... new gear oil looks just like any other oil, except thicker.

 

[Nw_adventure]

Changed out that fluid quite often on my AWD/Part-Time Honda Element-

 

[fishinmagician]

I had to Google PTU to realize I don't have to worry about this on my hybrid. You had me worried.

It's a ford thing

 

[EMD_Driver]

Good to know it has easy to reach fill and drain ports. It would be nice if someone can post photos or a video showing where the drain and fill points are.

The PTU is hard on its oil because it has both a hypoid gear and a clutch pack. If you have an AWD maverick you need to make sure it gets changed.

Mavericks without all wheel drive don't have this to keep track of.

Honestly, pictures of the plugs isn't really necessary. The drain is on the bottom and in plain sight. The fill plug isn't easy to get a picture of, but is the only thing on the side of the PTU that a 8mm hex wrench will go into.

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