This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the flexplate on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine and 4WD, requiring transmission removal to access the flexplate between the engine and torque converter.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Flexplate × 1 — Use OEM specification for EcoBoost 3.5L
• Transmission fluid drain pan plug gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transfer case drain plug gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification if servicing pan

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 11 qt
• Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid — 2.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and set parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands or lift at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove engine skid plate if equipped
5. Allow all fluids and components to cool to ambient temperature

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission and transfer case
   Place large drain pan under transmission. Remove transmission drain plug and drain fluid completely. Move drain pan to transfer case and remove transfer case drain plug. Allow both to drain fully. This will reduce weight and prevent spillage during removal.
2. 2

   Remove driveshafts
   Mark front and rear driveshaft flanges for reinstallation alignment. Remove front driveshaft at transfer case and front differential. Remove rear driveshaft at rear differential and transfer case output. Support driveshafts and remove completely. Cap transfer case outputs to prevent contamination.
   ℹ️Mark driveshaft phasing before removal to maintain balance during reassembly.
3. 3

   Disconnect exhaust and electrical connections
   Disconnect exhaust system at catalytic converters and support or remove as needed for transmission clearance. Disconnect transmission wiring harness connector, output speed sensors, and any other electrical connections to transmission. Label all connections. Disconnect shift cable from transmission linkage.
4. 4

   Remove transmission cooler lines and starter
   Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission using line disconnect tool. Cap lines and ports to prevent contamination. Remove starter motor bolts and secure starter out of the way without disconnecting wiring. This provides access to lower torque converter bolts.
   ⚠Transmission cooler lines are under spring pressure. Have shop towels ready for fluid spillage.
5. 5

   Remove transfer case from transmission
   Support transfer case with transmission jack or suitable support. Remove transfer case-to-transmission mounting bolts. Carefully separate transfer case from transmission output shaft and lower away from vehicle. Transfer case can be removed separately to reduce overall weight.
   ⚠Transfer case weighs approximately 70 lbs. Ensure adequate support during removal.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts55 Nm (40 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Support engine and transmission
   Place transmission jack under transmission pan with wood block to distribute load. Position engine support fixture or place jack stand under engine oil pan with wood block protection. Engine must be supported independently as transmission crossmember will be removed.
   ⚠️Both engine and transmission must be adequately supported before removing crossmember or transmission mounts.
7. 7

   Remove transmission crossmember
   With transmission and engine properly supported, remove transmission crossmember bolts from frame. Remove transmission mount-to-crossmember bolts. Lower transmission jack slightly and remove crossmember from vehicle. This provides clearance for transmission removal.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts55 Nm (40 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Access and remove torque converter bolts
   Rotate crankshaft using breaker bar on front crankshaft bolt to access torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through starter opening. Remove all torque converter bolts (typically 4 bolts). Push torque converter back into transmission bell housing and secure with wire or strap to prevent it from sliding out during transmission removal.
   ⚠Torque converter must be secured in transmission during removal or it will slide out and dump fluid.
   Torque spec

   Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove transmission-to-engine bolts
   Remove all transmission-to-engine mounting bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts of various lengths around the bell housing perimeter. Note bolt locations and lengths for reassembly. Ensure transmission is fully supported on transmission jack before removing final bolts.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Separate and remove transmission
    Carefully pull transmission straight back away from engine, ensuring torque converter remains in transmission. Move slowly and ensure all connections are disconnected. Once transmission input shaft clears engine, carefully lower transmission on jack and remove from under vehicle. Verify torque converter stayed with transmission.
    ⚠️Transmission must move straight back to avoid damaging input shaft, pilot bearing, or torque converter.
11. 11

    Inspect and mark flexplate position
    With transmission removed, inspect flexplate for cracks, heat damage, or damaged ring gear teeth. Mark flexplate position relative to crankshaft flange using paint or center punch to maintain engine balance. Inspect rear main seal for leaks and replace if necessary.
    ℹ️Flexplate failure is often caused by loose mounting bolts or improper torque. Inspect all bolt holes for damage.
12. 12

    Remove flexplate
    Use flywheel holding tool or large pry bar wedged against ring gear to prevent crankshaft rotation. Remove all flexplate bolts in star pattern to prevent warping. Remove flexplate from crankshaft flange. Inspect crankshaft flange and bolt holes for damage or debris.
    Torque spec

    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install new flexplate
    Clean crankshaft flange thoroughly with brake cleaner. Position new flexplate onto crankshaft flange, aligning with marks made during removal to maintain balance. Install flexplate bolts with medium-strength threadlocker. Hand-tighten all bolts first, then torque in star pattern according to specification. Verify sequence with service manual.
    ⚠Flexplate bolts must be torqued in proper sequence to prevent warping. Use star pattern and multiple torque passes.
    Torque spec

    Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall transmission
    Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission pump (check depth measurement if available). Apply thin coat of high-temp grease to torque converter pilot. Position transmission on jack and raise into position. Carefully align transmission with engine dowel pins and slide forward, ensuring input shaft engages torque converter. Install transmission-to-engine bolts and torque in proper sequence.
    ⚠Torque converter must be fully seated in pump before mating transmission to engine. Verify converter hub engagement.
    Torque spec

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install torque converter bolts
    Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolt holes with flexplate. Install torque converter-to-flexplate bolts with threadlocker. Rotate crankshaft to access each bolt through starter opening. Torque all bolts to specification in sequence per service manual.
    Torque spec

    Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall transmission crossmember and mounts, torquing all bolts to specification
2. Reinstall transfer case to transmission with new gasket if required, torquing mounting bolts to specification
3. Reinstall starter motor and torque mounting bolts
4. Reconnect all electrical connectors, transmission cooler lines, and shift cable
5. Reinstall front and rear driveshafts, aligning marks made during disassembly
6. Reinstall exhaust system connections
7. Reinstall engine skid plate if equipped
8. Refill transfer case with Motorcraft Transfer Case Fluid to specification (2.5 quarts)
9. Refill transmission with Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF to specification (11 quarts total capacity, fill to proper level on dipstick)
10. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• With engine running, verify no fluid leaks from transmission, transfer case, or driveline connections
• Check transmission fluid level with engine at operating temperature and follow Ford procedure for proper level check
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gears
• Listen for unusual noises from flexplate or torque converter area
• Verify 4WD system engages properly and transfer case operates normally
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive
• Verify no check engine lights or transmission fault codes are present

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