Cost for Dealer Tranny Flush & P.S. Flush

[GordonB]

Greetings,
Just wanted to know when you all think of a L-M Dealer quote of $260 for a Tranny Flush and $145 for a Power Steering Flush? I have 42K miles on the '03 Blue MM right now. Seems a bit high to me, but maybe I'm out of touch with ~$80/hr service labor rates. While I trust this dealer that is 2 miles away from me, I don't like to be gouged.
Comments or suggestions for alternative places appreciated.
GordonB

[BlueMarauder]

The car had a transmission flush last year. I think it was no more than $120. Try to wait for the Ford advertisement mailer which includes a discounted price. Alternatively, ask another dealer for a quote and then request that your regular dealer match it. I do not know about the power steering price.

[rvaldez1]

Price sounds about right. But, like stated, you can wait for dealer ads they are usually pretty good. On my Bro's 2005 Dakota, they recommend ALL fluids to be changed at a mere 15,000 miles even tranny. Now, you would think that with such fresh fluids in Chryser cars they would be a little better. :confused:

[2ndMDRebel]

Wow! My dealership charges $159.95 for an automatic transmission flush (car) and $99.95 for a power steering flush. Both prices are plus tax and shop supplies of course. For that price are they also going to drop the pan and change the filter?

[rvaldez1]

Wow! My dealership charges $159.95 for an automatic transmission flush (car) and $99.95 for a power steering flush. Both prices are plus tax and shop supplies of course. For that price are they also going to drop the pan and change the filter?
I thought on a flush you ALWAYS change the filter????

[chader]

I thought on a flush you ALWAYS change the filter????
NOPE...NOT NOW A DAYS

[Bluerauder]

Greetings,
Just wanted to know when you all think of a L-M Dealer quote of $260 for a Tranny Flush and $145 for a Power Steering Flush?
GordonB
Gordon,

I've had my transmission flushed twice already by the L-M dealer and I am at 40,100 miles. The price sounds about right to me (give or take a little); but I'd have to go back and check the paperwork.

[cyclopsram]

Wow, on my panthers... at 100000 miles I change the tranny filter and add the 6 or so quarts of ATF for less than $20. Power steering you just remove the return hose and let it idle for a coupla minutes and collect the oil in a bucket and then fill with fresh oil and bleed... have the front end up in the air so the wheels turn lock to lock easy...and that job is about $15. My dealer gets $17 for an oil and filter change and I can't do it that cheap myself... that is Semi-synthetic Motorcraft oil and a Motorcraft filter and the car is washed...

[SamF]

Aamco regularly runs a $99 lifetime special. One time fee, flushes as long as you own the car (stipulated mileage no doubt) That being said I has my mechanic do mine...about $120

[GordonB]

Thanks for all the replies. I just wondered what others have paid.

I do not know whether or not the Dealer drops the tranny pan or not for $260!

Just seemed like ~$400 was a steep charge for a tranny and PS fluid flush. I may have to look for a service special! To get my business they will have to give me a real break if I bring in a 2nd car for the same service. I may have to call them on Monday and see what kind of bargaining I can do -- I definitely need a twofer!

GordonB

[Bluerauder]

Thanks for all the replies. I just wondered what others have paid.

I do not know whether or not the Dealer drops the tranny pan or not for $260!
GordonB
Yes, the pan was dropped. It drains across an area about 2 feet wide from what I saw.

I got a 30,000 mile service in Feb 2006. Total Cost was $448.34 and included oil change/filter, fuel filter, and transmission flush. Biggest cost was labor. Can't remember what else was checked at the 30K point.

Labor $298.89
Parts $127.44
Misc Materials $14.89
Tax $7.12
Total $448.34

Parts:
Filter Assembly F1AZ-6731-80
Motorcraft Oil, 6 quarts, 5W20 BK
Element Assembly, E5TZ-9601-B
Filter Assembly, F89Z-9155-A
Screen Assembly, F6AZ-7A098-A
ATF, 8 quarts, XT-2-QDXBK
Clip, 2F1Z-9A317-AA

[GordonB]

Thanks Blurauder,
I thought our trannys took more than just 8 quarts? Was that a complete Flush or just a pan off drain and re-fill for the tranny?
GordonB

[murphypeople]

My mechanics and my transmission guys (different shops) both say never do a flush on anything as it loosens up the crap to get stuck some where later and causes problems. Could be that they don’t have the equipment to do the flush or that they like to pooh pooh what the dealerships do. Tell customers they don’t need a flush just drain the fluids, change filters, and refill for lots less $$$$
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I don’t do flushes for these reasons. I am no mechanic nor rocket scientist. Meaning to say I don’t know everything and go by what people I trust tell me…for the most part.
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.02

[RF Overlord]

My mechanics and my transmission guys (different shops) both say never do a flush on anything as it loosens up the crap to get stuck some where later and causes problems. *Sigh*...another old wives tale that refuses to die. :shake:

GordonB, you are being gouged. $145 for a power steering flush is ludicrous. $260 for a transmission service is very high, but not totally unreasonable IF they drop the pan and install a new filter and IF they use Mercon V.

You can do both jobs yourself for well under $100.

[GordonB]

RF,
Thank you for the Gouge confirmation. Now about the DIY $100 Special. Please explain. I forgot to mention that I am temporarily out-of-commission due to left shoulder surgery so I won't be doing much underneath my cars for several more weeks.
However, I am interested in HOW to do the Tranny flush myself -- I assume that you disconnect the line running TO the Tranny cooler and route this line into a catch basin of some sort. Then you have to keep pouring new fluid into the tranny from the top filler tube, Slowly. Is this what you are suggesting? Pls explain for all of us.
BTW, I called Goodyear near me and their Tranny Flush quote is $170 (w/o pan drop) or $215 (w/ pan drop); their Power Steering Flush is about $90. These prices include fluid.

Thanks,
GordonB

[cyclopsram]

You can put the pan on from a U Haul Econoline and have a drain plug and an extra quart capacity less than 50 bux....

[RF Overlord]

I assume that you disconnect the line running TO the Tranny cooler and route this line into a catch basin of some sort. Then you have to keep pouring new fluid into the tranny from the top filler tube, Slowly. Is this what you are suggesting?Exactly. The P/S flush can be done in a similar way, or you can also just use a turkey baster and remove most of the fluid from the reservoir and refill with Mercon (do NOT use Mercon V in the P/S). Do this each time you check the oil, or once a week, or whatever schedule fits you. Do this until the fluid is again a nice clear red.

I called Goodyear near me and their Tranny Flush quote is $170 (w/o pan drop) or $215 (w/ pan drop); their Power Steering Flush is about $90.Those prices are a bit more reasonable.