Georgetown in for 73,000 mile maintenance

[Iggy]

2012 GT 378TS with 73,000 miles.
just finished a 7,000 mile trip to the east coast and back to Arizona and I now topped 73,000 miles on my baby.

OK my friends being someone is asking questions about a brake job and I wanted to let you know my 2012 with 73,000 miles in now at the Ford Commercial truck mechanic and he plans on doing a frontend alignment and complete brake job. Rotor, pads, bearing repacked and a full brake flush.
Last inspection in 2016 (43,000 miles) my pads had 8mm left on them.
Mechanic said come back when you hit 70,000 miles.
I went a bit longer as I hardly use the brakes heavily so we shall see.

I do not have a quote yet as they will inspect and call me but I will post what they plan to do and the costs.
The brake job I'm estimating between $1,500 and $2,000 depending on any additional work they see I need.

I also found a broken rear passenger side sway bar bracket and needs to be replace. This seem to be a common thing as I have read many others having this happen.

Some of the additional things I'm asking them to check is:
Parking brake oil level
Adjust Parking brake cable
Check differential oil level and leaks
Check rear axles seals

I figure the F-53 chassis has been good to me so I need to insure its in top notch shape for 2020 and beyond.

Any questions ask away

[kenandterry]

I’ll be watching this post on your maintenance issues Iggy.
I’m only at 45,000 miles....so I’m way behind you.

I’m looking at a spring maintenance visit to a heavy rig garage....they also do Heavy Rescue, so they have the facilities to work on rigs our size.

Couple of questions though....

Why are you having a front end alignment done?
Do the rotors HAVE to be replaced?
Is this your first brake fluid flush?
What is parking brake oil level?
No transmission or coolant flush?

I also want my Ford to get the attention it deserves. It continues to serve us well.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

I’ll be watching this post on your maintenance issues Iggy.
I’m only at 45,000 miles....so I’m way behind you.

I’m looking at a spring maintenance visit to a heavy rig garage....they also do Heavy Rescue, so they have the facilities to work on rigs our size.

I also want my Ford to get the attention it deserves. It continues to serve us well.

Couple of questions you asked....

1. Why are you having a front end alignment done?
Answer: To see if I need it and check out all the steering linkage.
They will also grease the frontend.

2. Do the rotors HAVE to be replaced?
Answer: We will wait and see if they need to be replaced.

3. Is this your first brake fluid flush?
Answer: NO. I had it done when I had about 35,000 miles

4. What is parking brake oil level?
If you have a 242" chassis the parking brake is mounted behind the transmission and has oil in it.

See attached pictures

5. No transmission or coolant flush?
Answer: I had these done at my 35,000 mile checkup to remove all manuf contaminates.

So as you see I spend a few $$'s and feel its worth it as I would hate to have a problem while travelling. This is just me and others may think its a waste of money. No Prob.

[kenandterry]

You are wise beyond your years (and miles) Iggy.

We’re expected to get significant rains from the remnants of Olga starting tonight.

On Monday, I’ll climb underneath my 208” WB chassis, but I thought I had the same parking brake design you describe on my F53 chassis.

[Dodge Guy]

Good to hear you are maintaining your MH properly. Ours had 43k miles. I just flushed my brake fluid before I put ours away for the winter. The engine was replaced around 39k miles for some reason. Something about water ingestion? But that makes no sense as the air intake is almost 5 feet off the ground. The RV would have been totaled or show signs of water damage (has neither) so the coolant was done then. Trans fluid will get Replaced next spring as will the rear diff fluid.
Good on the alignment, always good to get ahead of anything before it becomes a major problem. Keep us updated.

[pmsherman]

Your broken rear sway bar bracket may be a recall repair. I have recollections of reading that Ford did a recalll on the bracket because too many of them were breaking. Unfortunately, I read about it long after mine was replaced.


Phil

[Iggy]

I just got the estimate!

OK here is my update on my 2012 70,000 mile Ford Commercial Truck Maintenance I have requested.

1 Total brake job is all new Calipers & Disks, power flush brake system.

2. Replace both rear sway bar bushings and brackets

3. Inspect front wheel bearing and repack

4. Frontend wheel alignment after checking all steering linkages and ball joints and grease all fittings

5. Transmission flush with new pan gasket and filter

6. Replace serpentine belt and give me the old belt for a backup

7. Drain parking brake assembly, add new fluid and adjust & Lube cable

8. Replace rear axles seals and add oil to differential

9. Oil and filter change

10. Engine Cooling system flush and add new antifreeze

I figure with 73,000 miles I'm good until 100,000 miles when they will replace spark plugs.

OK parts, labor, 2 year warranty on parts & labor, my military discount plus and tax comes to a grand total $4,100

Yes I wanted it done right and the mechanic is doing it the way he would if he owned it. That's cool.

Now can anyone load my a few dollars until payday or start my "Go Fund Me Page" . LOL

[kenandterry]

On behalf of others here, thank you for the update details Iggy.

If it’s any consolation..... 70,000 miles divided by $4100
works out to roughly $17/mile because most everything you’re having done is mostly due to mileage as opposed to just the time of having your motorhome since 2012.

Hope that helps.

[HONDAMAN174]

Why the calipers? Are they leaking?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

If it’s any consolation..... 70,000 miles divided by $4100 works out to roughly $17/mile because most everything you’re having done is mostly due to mileage as opposed to just the time of having your motorhome since 2012.

Wow, that is really depressing but it does kind of compensate for that whole 6 MPG or 50 cents a mile thing, doesn't it?

Fortunately the math should be the other way around, or about 6 cents per mile.

.06 * 73,000 = $4,380.

$17 * 70,000 = $1,190,000 or a really, really nice new motorhome with a live-in chauffeur.

Yeah, I hated math class, too.

Ray

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

Why the calipers? Are they leaking?

Hi Hondaman

My mechanic found a few that had boots cracked and the caliber would need rebuilding. I decide to make it a full fresh new calipers just because I want the rig to keep rolling.
Yes I could have saved a few $$'s but I decided to replace them all.
So as I figure I shouldn't have any problems for another 70,000 miles LOL
I do like the 2 year warranty for parts and labor.
It's only money. Want me to adopt you?


FYI I will have a RV group up at the Oasis RV Resort April 2-6.
Come on by and say hi.

[HONDAMAN174]

Absolutely!! Send a gentle reminder as it gets closer and we can have a few adult beverages.

Although I am high on the adoptibilty list, a few others might beat you out with as much help I have given to get them onto their trips of a lifetime !!

[FORKLIFMAN]

All the work being done, that price sounds real good to me. May be I might go to your mechanic instead of doing it my self! I live in CA, I was expecting the quote to be a lot higher, and then you added more, to your list! Changing all your fluids and oil, is the best thing you can do!

Cheers David

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by FORKLIFMAN

All the work being done, that price sounds real good to me. May be I might go to your mechanic instead of doing it my self! I live in CA, I was expecting the quote to be a lot higher, and then you added more, to your list! Changing all your fluids and oil, is the best thing you can do!

Cheers David

I get my baby back probably mid week.
I always try and get them to give me a military discount which has worked in the past.

Thanks for your insight. I do feel all the work and parts was and will be worth it in the end.

[Iggy]

Just got my baby back from Ford here in Glendale AZ.
Everything was completed as above.
Bill total with my discounts was $4,171

Brake are back to 100%
I'm sure the other maintenance makes my baby feel almost new again.
Ready for another 75,000 miles.