Maintenance suggested by dealer?

[Maverick2022XL]

Annual alignment? Sheesh i have been driving tons of cars for over 50 years and never got an alignment on any of them. Brake fluid exchange? Never had this done either. One of my vehicles is 55 years old. I have owned it 33 years and never did a fluid exchange. Is modern brake fluid that bad?

Modern ABS brake systems are indeed different and even more so with electronic brake boosters and ACC systems. Viscosity is different for starters, the lower the viscosity the more responsive the ABS and ACC systems are. The systems require fluids with higher boiling points and the fact the modern brake fluids are hydroscopic.

With that said the service interval is a recommendation not a hard it is bad at that point. Realistically when to change the fluid is determined by color and water content. Like any other motor fluid once it gets super dark it is spent and time to flush and or if the water content in the brake fluid is at 3 - 3.5%. Water content can be checked with an automotive refractometer.

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[Tim d]

Modern ABS brake systems are indeed different and even more so with electronic brake boosters and ACC systems. Viscosity is different for starters, the lower the viscosity the more responsive the ABS and ACC systems are. The systems require fluids with higher boiling points and the fact the modern brake fluids are hydroscopic.

With that said the service interval is a recommendation not a hard it is bad at that point. Realistically when to change the fluid is determined by color and water content. Like any other motor fluid once it gets super dark it is spent and time to flush and or if the water content in the brake fluid is at 3 - 3.5%. Water content can be checked with an automotive refractometer.

https://www.amazon.com/KAIWEETS-Corrosion-Resistance-High-Precision-Calibrated/dp/B0D9M279V9/

Thanks for your respose, but why did manufacturers decide to make brake fluid hydroscopic to attract mostiure? Seems like a bad decision.

 

[wakkawakka22]

I assume the hygroscopic degradation is why brake fluid intervals are recommended on the hybrids at the same schedule as EB.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

I assume the hygroscopic degradation is why brake fluid intervals are recommended on the hybrids at the same schedule as EB.

They do use the same brake fluids so yes that would be one reason why. The fluid doesn't automatically become more hydroscopic on it's own.

Another case for flushing the fluid early is to replace it with a better brake fluid. Not that the motorcraft dot 4 LV fluid is bad but you can get other fluids with lower viscosities and higher boiling points. Bosch ESI632N is one of them and in my opinion a better brake fluid. Also the cost for a quart of it is about the same as a quart of motorcraft dot 4 lv fluid.

https://www.boschautoparts.com/documents/647135/656981/ESI6 Brake Fluid Flyer.pdf

 

[dalola]

Thanks for your respose, but why did manufacturers decide to make brake fluid hydroscopic to attract mostiure? Seems like a bad decision.

It's "hygroscopic", and it doesn't mean it attracts moisture, it means it will absorb/mix with water.

If everyone lived where it never got cold, it would be (mostly) unnecessary. Imagine what would happen if you had some moisture somewhere in your brake system, particularly in a line, on a cold January day, and your brake fluid reacted to water like a conventional oil. It's a safety thing. Frozen brakes are a bad idea.

 

[geez3r]

Consider yourself lucky they replaced the cv axle(s) under warranty with a lift kit installed. Short answer lift kits change stresses on the axles. Longer answer if the work was checked to make sure it met FMVSS 105 minimums for driveline safety and found that inner joint axial play or outer joint max articulation angle are out of spec then the warranty repair could be denied. The only recourse is to make sure the hub nut wasn't torqued to the oem specified torque and correcting brings it back into tolerance range. With that said if you want to so some research you ca probably find an aftermarket axle of a different length to offset the lift to bring it back into tolerance range.

Thanks, for the feedback.

I've actually gone back to the dealer to figure out if we are going to remove this kit, which is actually a "leveling kit" (only 1.5 inches to the front) and less like a full lift kit. According to the company I bought it states that this does not void warranty, but that statement hasn't been validated by Ford. The closest product they sell now is: 2022-2026 Ford Maverick front only 1.75” level lift

I'm told there are some companies that have a Ford stamp of approval for aftermarket lifts although I haven't verified this myself. For the 2026 Maverick there is an official Ford lift from Ford Performance Parts.

The advisor I'm working with at the dealer thinks that this should be within spec and doesn't want me to remove this and find out that the CV axle still requires frequent replacing.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Thanks, for the feedback.

I've actually gone back to the dealer to figure out if we are going to remove this kit, which is actually a "leveling kit" (only 1.5 inches to the front) and less like a full lift kit. According to the company I bought it states that this does not void warranty, but that statement hasn't been validated by Ford. The closest product they sell now is: 2022-2026 Ford Maverick front only 1.75” level lift

I'm told there are some companies that have a Ford stamp of approval for aftermarket lifts although I haven't verified this myself. For the 2026 Maverick there is an official Ford lift from Ford Performance Parts.

The advisor I'm working with at the dealer thinks that this should be within spec and doesn't want me to remove this and find out that the CV axle still requires frequent replacing.

A CV axle should never require frequent replacing. You need to find a new dealer. You don't pay them to think and feel you pay them to know. If they can't look up the FMVSS specs on their system and measure yours to see if it is in tolerance they are wasting your time.

Assume your service philosopher (I think therefore it is diagnosed) is right you have 3 options that I can think of. I don't need to know since I am not the one being paid here. Advice is just that until proven factual.
1. The hub nut wasn't torqued to oem spec.
2. They didn't seat or destroyed the splines on the CV axle which we are back to they need to measure the inner joint axial play and the outer joint spline also should not be visible or show any gaps.
3. Have you had a wheel alignment done since you installed the lift kit? If you haven't that could be a problem here. All wheel alignments get thrown out of wack when you lift a truck and need to be redone afterwards. Not just the front but rear wheels also on a Maverick if you lifted both front and back.


With that said raising only the front with spacers by about 2 inches should be okay. Most SUVs allow for 1 - 2 inches and that should be about what the Maverick is. I don't know the exact number but that is something you can look up. Reason being of what is called factory rake which is how high the rear sits relative to the front. It doesn't actually lift the truck just levels it out. They do though put increased stress on the suspension and ball joints. As long as you are not doing lots of heavy truck stuff it won't affect usability. I have no idea what is acceptable in this case if the rear was also lifted.

 

[Tim d]

It's "hygroscopic", and it doesn't mean it attracts moisture, it means it will absorb/mix with water.

If everyone lived where it never got cold, it would be (mostly) unnecessary. Imagine what would happen if you had some moisture somewhere in your brake system, particularly in a line, on a cold January day, and your brake fluid reacted to water like a conventional oil. It's a safety thing. Frozen brakes are a bad idea.

Ah, makes sense..ty!

 

[EffNo50]

Other threads have mentioned upgraded axles, I haven't researched them as I haven't had an issue yet, but it's logged for when I do have an issue. I'm still wanting to swap out the front struts and springs from a Tremor to level up my front end and improve the ride...someday, hopefully. Changing from the 18"BAP wheels to the 17" FX4 Optional wheels helped the ride quality already.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Other threads have mentioned upgraded axles, I haven't researched them as I haven't had an issue yet, but it's logged for when I do have an issue. I'm still wanting to swap out the front struts and springs from a Tremor to level up my front end and improve the ride...someday, hopefully. Changing from the 18"BAP wheels to the 17" FX4 Optional wheels helped the ride quality already.

You can at least for 2022 and up AWD 2.0L ecoboost engines. You'd just need to replace the axles separately and voila you can have a stock Tremor suspension with a Ford warranty on it as long as you are willing to pay an ASE tech at a local shop or dealer to install.

see here, if you shop around you can find it cheaper.
https://mavericktruckmods.com/parts/amz-b0gsb6kv6w

Here are some of your options

https://mavericktruckmods.com/guide-lift-kit-fitment

And if you scroll down to the Tremor suspension kit section it states that will provide a 1 inch lift from the stock awd ecoboost suspension.

 

[geez3r]

3. Have you had a wheel alignment done since you installed the lift kit? If you haven't that could be a problem here. All wheel alignments get thrown out of wack when you lift a truck and need to be redone afterwards. Not just the front but rear wheels also on a Maverick if you lifted both front and back.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go to the dealer and ask better questions now.
I know you mentioned that you don't need to know, but I did go back and see if an alignment was done after the leveling kit was installed and it was. I haven't done an alignment since then, but I don't see why I would.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go to the dealer and ask better questions now.
I know you mentioned that you don't need to know, but I did go back and see if an alignment was done after the leveling kit was installed and it was. I haven't done an alignment since then, but I don't see why I would.

That you had one done after the lift is good enough.

This will explain it better and also explain the CV axle issue.
https://knowallthethings.com/alignment-issues-after-lifting-a-truck/

The suspension geometry is no longer valid once you lift a vehicle, that also includes things like camber, caster and toe alignments. The camber is the biggest issue usually the others depending how much lift is done. You don't necessarily need to remove your lift kit but knowing the measurements I mentioned will determine if you need further modifications to bring the suspension geometry back to where it needs to be. It maybe as simple as adding cv joint spacers or more complicated like changing out the stock control arms for adjustable ones. Also have them check the driveshaft angle. If that is off from adding the lift that will cause the issues you mention.

https://auto-driveshaft.com/how-do-i-find-a-working-driveshaft-angle？/
Besides the fixes recommended another way to deal with that is a slip yoke eliminator if needed to bring the geometry back in line.

The other thing I forgot to mention though not related to your problem but the lift is your front facing camera. When you lift a vehicle you should have that recalibrated if you haven't already since it calibrated to the factory height of the truck.

 

[geez3r]

Well, that's easy then. No front-facing camera on the 2023 Maverick as far as I can tell (I've never been able to switch to it if that is the case).

 

[Maverick2022XL]

Well, that's easy then. No front-facing camera on the 2023 Maverick as far as I can tell (I've never been able to switch to it if that is the case).

I should have explained it better it is the camera you need for the CC and other options like lane assist. it is above the rear view mirror on the windshield. It is not that will stop working but it maybe give incorrect information. If you have forscan you should be able to do it yourself, if not any auto glass repair shop or even the dealer can do it.

 

[HeyBales]

Annual alignment? Sheesh i have been driving tons of cars for over 50 years and never got an alignment on any of them. Brake fluid exchange? Never had this done either. One of my vehicles is 55 years old. I have owned it 33 years and never did a fluid exchange. Is modern brake fluid that bad?

Modern brake systems are that sensitive and touchy.
And yes the LV fluids can absorb moisture even easier.

And they don't know if you live in humid area or AZ where it can make a difference.
So 2 yr failsafe maintenance.

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