Big spending on the SHO today

[Wardog692]

Took my SHO to the shop today because I've been hearing a crunching from the passenger front suspension when going over bumps. Final tally for the repairs: $2,780!

Full list:
New full strut assembly front left and right (Moog as opposed to Motorcraft)
New inner and outer tie rods
2/4 new motor mounts
Full transmission service (filter and gasket as well)
Possibly some other smaller bushings/linkages as well, can't remember everything they said over the phone.

I *almost* told them to hold off and go with a set of Megan EZII coilovers on all 4 (since they're replacing both fronts already) but I don't think my budget would've allowed for the extra ~$1,000.

Car only has 93,000 miles so it seems a little early for all this stuff to break, but not totally unreasonable I guess (I've heard others averaging about 125k on stock suspension).

Was I an idiot for not opting for the Megans instead?

[bpd1151]

Took my SHO to the shop today because I've been hearing a crunching from the passenger front suspension when going over bumps. Final tally for the repairs: $2,780!

Full list:
New full strut assembly front left and right (Moog as opposed to Motorcraft)
New inner and outer tie rods
2/4 new motor mounts
Full transmission service (filter and gasket as well)
Possibly some other smaller bushings/linkages as well, can't remember everything they said over the phone.

I *almost* told them to hold off and go with a set of Megan EZII coilovers on all 4 (since they're replacing both fronts already) but I don't think my budget would've allowed for the extra ~$1,000.

Car only has 93,000 miles so it seems a little early for all this stuff to break, but not totally unreasonable I guess (I've heard others averaging about 125k on stock suspension).

Was I an idiot for not opting for the Megans instead?

Not an idiot at at all.

Your safety, as well as that of any of your passengers is tantamount to anything "extra" like the expense of the Megan's on top of "regular" repairs.

So when funds permit, add the Megan's down the road. It is recommended to swap that stuff every 50k anyhow.

Moving along, I question your "full transmission service" and going further stipulating the replacement of a filter and gasket.

There is no serviceable filter and/or gasket and can only be accessed by cracking open the case. So just be leery of what you're being told (or more importantly.... SOLD) by your shop.

Enjoy the new bits you had installed!

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[AJP turbo]

How did they change the trans filter and gasket?

[Wardog692]

Moving along, I question your "full transmission service" and going further stipulating the replacement of a filter and gasket.

There is no serviceable filter and/or gasket and can only be accessed by cracking open the case. So just be leery of what you're being told (or more importantly.... SOLD) by your shop.

Enjoy the new bits you had installed!

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How did they change the trans filter and gasket?

As far as I understand, they're dropping the pan to access the filter, hence the need for the new gasket as well. I've been using this same shop for over 3 years now, and they've been good to me (even giving me a 10% discount on my total bill this time), so I hope they're not trying to pull one over on me. Like I said, my car is 8-9 years old and at 93k miles, so I figured it's better to do a full service now, considering I don't know the history before I bought it 2 years ago at 79k miles.

I'm still very much a car noob though, so if I'm talking nonsense feel free to call me out on it and educate me!

[SHOdded]

No pan.  The trans case has to be split in half to access the screen.  Either they dont know what they are doing, or they are ripping u off.

[bpd1151]

No pan.  The trans case has to be split in half to access the screen.  Either they dont know what they are doing, or they are ripping u off.

Exactly as I stated in the 1st reply here.

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[Wardog692]

No pan.  The trans case has to be split in half to access the screen.  Either they dont know what they are doing, or they are ripping u off.

We have a 6F55 in the SHO correct? based on this photo removing the black cover would be what's considered "cracking it open"? I'll admit this is all just based on the past 15 minutes of speed reading and google research, my initial claim of "dropping the pan" was just based on the bare minimum transmission knowledge from watching too much Wheeler Dealers.

I mean, if they truly are "cracking it open" and replacing the filter that way, is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean, obviously the filter is replaceable or they wouldn't sell replacement filters/gaskets right?

[SHOdded]

That is the main control cover, not a pan.  It provides access to the various sensors, valve body, and solenoid body assembly that control the behavior of the transmission.

Not to belabor a point, but there is no filter/gasket as in older transmissions.  Yes replacement screens exist.  The replacement screens exist because sometimes the transmission does need to be overhauled.  Nothing like what you are trying to accomplish here.

[bpd1151]

That is only the cover to the valve body assembly itself.

A separate, but associating part. Not necessarily the "transmission" in the true sense.

Thanks for posting that picture. Now the community knows what you're talking about.

Me, SHOdded, & AJP are just looking out for you. Again, there is no serviceable filter/gasket for the transmission and yes, the GEN4 & GEN5 SHO's employ the 6F55 Trans.

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[Wardog692]

That is only the cover to the valve body assembly itself.

A separate, but associating part. Not necessarily the "transmission" in the true sense.

Thanks for posting that picture. Now the community knows what you're talking about.

Me, SHOdded, & AJP are just looking out for you. Again, there is no serviceable filter/gasket for the transmission and yes, the GEN4 & GEN5 SHO's employ the 6F55 Trans.

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Really trying not to be dense here and gather as much knowledge as possible, so I really appreciate everyone's help and patience with me!

I found this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heJSxRK60U that details a 2008 Ford Edge (6F50) trans rebuild that at least gives me a similar idea of what you mean by cracking it open. Am I right in thinking the black piece at the end @45s is the filter then? Based on the total price of the services they're performing, they very well might be going to this length to replace it, but I'll definitely inquire further with the shop as to their procedure. He did mention when he was hunting for parts that they don't sell the gasket/filter as a kit like many other cars and he had to buy them separately, so maybe that's an indication/flag. Based on the comments in the video, the 6F50 filter only lasts until 150k miles, so I might be slightly premature, but it's peace of mind for the future (and future tuning!).

[Wardog692]

I found this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heJSxRK60U that details a 2008 Ford Edge (6F50) trans rebuild that at least gives me a similar idea of what you mean by cracking it open. Am I right in thinking the black piece at the end @45s is the filter then?

Oh wait, no, the filter goes in the void we see @10s right? The black piece @45s is the same piece I mentioned in the photo above?

[pmezo33]

For that price, they better be cracking open that transmission and changing out the filter.  I find it hard to believe they are though.

The rest of that stuff can be done in like 4 or 5 hours with a lift.  Drive it up to CT and i'll do all that stuff for you for $500 if you bring the parts.

[SHOdded]

Not sure, but we mau still be looking at the side of the trans, ie, what lies behind the main control cover.  I think the screen is in line with the TC and pump ...  YT comments are like throwing s*** against a wall and seeing what sticks, esp in this case.  Also, is it a 2008 or a 2010 being serviced?  SMH.  But yeah, the case is definitely apart.

However, there is no set life on the screen.  We have many Edge vehicles with nearly 300,000 miles on them still going strong.  Neglect can destroy anything early I suppose.

Yes I noticed early on that RockAuto sells what they call a transmission filter for these units.  But most commonly what IS replaced without cracking the case is the solenoid body assembly gasket/screen.  My question is, is the trans being overhauled.  If not, WHY is the case being cracked open.

[ZSHO]

What preferred shop was this ? I never heard Moog supplying Struts with the exception of suspension components such as Tie rods,links (problem solvers) etc which can be had for fairly cheap!  Maybe they meant Monroe!!!! Dunno!
Motor mounts seldom go bad or get replaced on this platform IIRC! 
I am curious to see the work order!  Z

[Wardog692]

Will try to remember to update this once I get my car back. I know he said Moog for the tie rods, I might've just applied that to the struts as well. I really wish I had a lift/jack so I could learn and do some of this stuff myself.