Trans Dipstick - How the Heck Do You Get it Out?

[Jerome10]

I've got another thread elsewhere that I'm having some odd shifting, particularly a 6 -> 5 downshift lurch, sometimes 5 -> 4, and often dropping into the next gear on upshifts. Its just clunky. Had the latest TSB update the software but it doesn't seem to have made any difference. I will probably ask them to perform the accelerated solenoid valve break-in procedure next, which is part of the same TSB.

Anyway, I keep seeing people say that sometimes the transmissions are underfilled. Dealer didn't check the fluid level during that TSB according to the writeup.

Crawled under the truck today and how on earth do you get the dipstick out? I was doing this with everything cold as a dry run, but there is absolutely no space in either direction for a socket wrench to turn. I can't even move it enough to get the teeth on the ratchet to click. And then you need to do this with everything up to boiling temps?!

Watched some videos and it looks easy enough but none were for Gen 14 or the Powerboost. My truck seems to have some adhesive insulation mat on the area around the dipstick, which makes it even tighter to get to.

No room for the wrench. Boiling hot temperatures on the cat and transmission. Ha!

Is there a specific tool or wrench that really works best on this thing? Do I need some kind of 90-degree adapter or something?

I may just have to ask the dealer to do this or pay a mechanic. Its, frankly, terrible how this is setup. Even for trained techs, you're risking burns to get this done. I just never truly trust others with this stuff. "yeah we checked it and its at the correct level".

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[PatchManager]

A dry run is definitely a good idea. I used a long flex-head wrench like the one listed below. The end barely fit on, but it did fit, and that wrench allows you to get enough leverage with the handle angled down to the turn the hex head of the dipstick. I also wore long sleeves and gloves.

I found that I had to check it at least twice to get a good reading of the level. I didn't trust the dealership to check it correctly (Transmission Oil Leak Thread), so I felt like I had no other choice than to do it myself.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I’m sure you could pick them up at a welding supply store, heat resistant sleeves are available. I have some as well as welding jackets they work extremely well.

You still won’t want to lay your arm on the cat, but it will protect your arm while you’re in a close proximity and will keep you from getting burnt if you momentarily touch the converter

 

[Gros Ventre]

Try a crows foot on a long extension.

 

[Jerome10]

Wow thanks for the input! Those gloves look great too. And I have wrenched on cars for a couple decades (not serious but I've done water pumps, tensioners, etc) and I've never heard of this crows foot. That or that long bar look like they could do the trick!

 

[jhelrey]

Even with welding gloves on, you can still get burned. Take your time. Practicing when cold is a great idea.

 

[astro_fusion]

I read in another thread that you can crack it loose cold, then snug the cap finger tight. Then warm the transmission up and you'll have less of a battle. Not sure what kind of cap/plug seal it's got but that sounded less painful.

 

[jhelrey]

The issue isn't removing the cap as much as it is to check level, fill, check level, fill, etc

 

[Gros Ventre]

Crow's Foot...

 

[missileboy]

It is a royal pain! Dry Run is a good suggestion. 19mm flex box end works great. My solution is this now:
B&M F-150 Locking Transmission Dipstick 22200 (10-24 F-150) - Free Shipping (americantrucks.com)

Pricey, but you'll never have a hard time checking the level at temp again and NOT have to get under the truck. I also added a PPE deep sump trans pan with a drain plug to make servicing much easier. Plastic pans with no drain plug, what a silly way to save some money-

 

[Dizz]

I read in another thread that you can crack it loose cold, then snug the cap finger tight. Then warm the transmission up and you'll have less of a battle. Not sure what kind of cap/plug seal it's got but that sounded less painful.

How I did it

 

[CoolCoyote]

Come on man, you know us slowbrain peasants aren't supposed to be fiddling with these things. If you keep it up Ford will eliminate the dipstick all together!

Take your time - those things can be in TIGHT and the aluminum dipstick can start to deform if your tool isn't perfectly on it.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Wow thanks for the input! Those gloves look great too. And I have wrenched on cars for a couple decades (not serious but I've done water pumps, tensioners, etc) and I've never heard of this crows foot. That or that long bar look like they could do the trick!

Sleeves, not gloves

 

[Gros Ventre]

Also they make flare nut crow's foot tools, in case a straight one starts to round off the dipstick corners.

 

[Gros Ventre]

It is a royal pain! Dry Run is a good suggestion. 19mm flex box end works great. My solution is this now:
B&M F-150 Locking Transmission Dipstick 22200 (10-24 F-150) - Free Shipping (americantrucks.com)

Pricey, but you'll never have a hard time checking the level at temp again and NOT have to get under the truck. I also added a PPE deep sump trans pan with a drain plug to make servicing much easier. Plastic pans with no drain plug, what a silly way to save some money-

FYI The PowerBoost transmission is different (as is the filter) in shape and/or size than the standard (non-hybrid). So when you order a deep pan make sure it fits your truck.

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