transmission

Transmission Input Shaft Bearing

for 2012 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD

Difficulty

Expert

Time

9.6 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the transmission input shaft bearing on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, requiring transmission removal from the vehicle.

Warnings

⚠️Transmission weighs approximately 200 lbs. Use proper lifting equipment and ensure secure support at all times to prevent crushing injury.

⚠️Engine must be properly supported before removing transmission crossmember. Failure to support engine can result in engine falling and causing severe injury or damage.

⚠ATF may be hot if vehicle was recently operated. Allow adequate cooling time before draining fluid.

⚠Input shaft bearing preload and endplay must be measured and set to factory specification. Incorrect bearing preload will result in premature transmission failure.

ℹ️This procedure requires transmission disassembly beyond removal from vehicle. Ensure clean workspace and organization of components during disassembly.

Tools required

Transmission jack with adapterEssential

Engine support bar or fixtureEssential

Bearing puller setEssential

Input shaft bearing installation tool setEssential

Torque wrench (ft-lb range)Essential

Torque wrench (in-lb range)Essential

3/8 and 1/2 inch drive socket setsEssential

Vehicle lift or jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential

Drain pan (minimum 12 quart capacity)Essential

Pry bar set

Dial indicator with magnetic baseEssential

MicrometerEssential

Hydraulic press or bearing press toolEssential

Plastic mallet

Seal driver setEssential

Fluid transfer pump

RTV gasket maker applicator

Parts

Transmission input shaft bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
Transmission front pump seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
Transmission filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
Torque converter seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
Flexplate inspection cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 13 qt

Preparation

Lift vehicle on hoist or secure on jack stands rated for vehicle weight with all four wheels off ground
Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from battery post
Remove skid plates and belly pans if equipped to access transmission and transfer case
Place drain pan under transmission and drain fluid via drain plug
Remove front driveshaft, marking orientation for reinstallation
Remove rear driveshaft, marking orientation for reinstallation
Disconnect shift cable from transmission lever and bracket
Disconnect transmission wiring harness connectors including solenoid body, vehicle speed sensor, and turbine speed sensor
Install engine support fixture across engine bay or use support bar to hold engine weight

Procedure

1
Remove exhaust components and crossmember
Disconnect exhaust system at catalytic converters to allow downpipe removal or sufficient clearance for transmission removal. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts and carefully lower crossmember. Ensure engine is supported by support fixture before removing crossmember.
2
Separate transfer case from transmission
Remove transfer case-to-transmission mounting bolts. Support transfer case with transmission jack and carefully separate transfer case from transmission output shaft. Lower transfer case and set aside. Inspect transfer case input shaft seal and replace if needed.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
3
Remove torque converter access cover and torque converter bolts
Remove flexplate inspection cover from bottom of bellhousing. Mark relationship between torque converter and flexplate for reinstallation. Rotate crankshaft using socket on front crank bolt to access all four torque converter-to-flexplate bolts and remove them. Push torque converter back toward transmission to ensure it stays with transmission during removal.
⚠Ensure torque converter is pushed fully rearward and secured to transmission before lowering. If converter falls during removal, it can cause injury and damage pump and seals.
Torque spec
Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
4
Disconnect cooler lines and remove transmission
Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission fittings and plug openings to prevent contamination. Remove starter motor. Position transmission jack under transmission pan and secure transmission to jack. Remove bellhousing-to-engine mounting bolts (note different bolt lengths and locations). Carefully slide transmission rearward to disengage from engine dowel pins, supporting torque converter. Lower transmission and remove from vehicle.
⚠️Transmission must be securely fastened to transmission jack. Ensure balance and weight distribution before lowering to prevent tipping.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
5
Mount transmission and remove torque converter
Place transmission on sturdy workbench or transmission stand. Remove torque converter from transmission input shaft, catching any residual fluid. Remove transmission pan bolts in reverse criss-cross pattern and remove pan. Remove transmission filter. Clean pan thoroughly and inspect for debris or metal particles indicating other internal damage.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
6
Remove valve body and pump assembly
Disconnect internal wiring harness from solenoid body. Remove valve body mounting bolts and carefully lower valve body assembly, keeping track of check balls and springs. Remove pump mounting bolts and carefully extract pump assembly from transmission case using slide hammer or by prying evenly with plastic pry tools. The input shaft will come out with the pump assembly.
⚠Note location of all check balls and their seats during valve body removal. Taking photos is recommended for correct reassembly.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
7
Disassemble pump and remove input shaft bearing
Place pump assembly on clean workspace. Remove pump cover bolts and separate pump halves. Remove input shaft from pump. Using bearing puller, carefully extract the input shaft bearing from the pump body or shaft (depending on bearing design). Inspect bearing races, shaft bearing surface, and pump bore for scoring, wear, or damage. Measure shaft diameter at bearing journal with micrometer to verify it is within specification.
8
Install new input shaft bearing
Clean bearing bore thoroughly and inspect for damage. Using appropriate bearing installation tool or hydraulic press, install new input shaft bearing ensuring it is seated squarely and to correct depth per service manual specification. Install bearing with marked side facing correct direction per manufacturer specification. After installation, verify bearing rotates smoothly without binding.
⚠Apply only perpendicular force when pressing bearing. Cocked or misaligned bearing installation will damage bearing and pump housing.
9
Measure bearing preload and endplay
Reassemble pump halves with input shaft installed. Using dial indicator, measure input shaft endplay by pushing shaft fully in one direction, zeroing indicator, then pulling shaft in opposite direction. Endplay should be within factory specification (typically 0.001-0.025 inch). If out of specification, verify correct bearing installation depth and shaft condition. Check bearing preload by measuring rotational resistance.
ℹ️Endplay specification is critical to transmission longevity. Record measurements and verify against service manual before final assembly.
10
Reassemble pump assembly
Apply thin coat of ATF to all sealing surfaces and bearing surfaces. Install new front pump seal using seal driver, ensuring it seats fully and evenly. Reassemble pump halves, ensuring alignment pins are properly seated. Install and torque pump cover bolts in criss-cross pattern. Verify input shaft still rotates freely after final torquing.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
11
Install pump assembly into transmission
Apply thin coat of ATF to pump outer seal and transmission case bore. Carefully install pump assembly into transmission case, ensuring alignment with case and that pump seats fully. Install pump mounting bolts and torque to specification. Verify pump is flush with case surface all around perimeter.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
12
Install valve body and transmission pan
Reinstall valve body assembly, ensuring all check balls are in correct positions and internal wiring harness is properly routed and connected. Torque valve body bolts to specification in proper sequence. Install new transmission filter. Clean transmission pan mating surface and install new gasket. Install pan and torque bolts in criss-cross pattern starting from center.
Torque spec
Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
13
Reinstall transmission into vehicle
Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter hub and ensure new seal is installed. Install torque converter onto input shaft, rotating while pushing until fully seated (should seat in three distinct stages). Verify torque converter is fully seated by measuring depth from bellhousing face to converter ear. Raise transmission into position on transmission jack. Align with engine dowel pins and carefully slide forward until bellhousing contacts engine block. Install and torque all bellhousing mounting bolts.
⚠Torque converter must be fully seated before mating transmission to engine. Insufficient seating will damage pump during installation.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
14
Connect torque converter and install transfer case
Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolts with flexplate holes, matching marks made during disassembly. Install torque converter bolts and torque in star pattern. Install flexplate inspection cover. Raise transfer case into position and align with transmission output shaft. Install transfer case mounting bolts and torque to specification. Reconnect transmission cooler lines.
Torque spec
Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
15
Complete installation and fill transmission
Install transmission crossmember and torque mounting bolts to specification. Remove engine support fixture. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission and sensors. Reconnect shift cable and adjust if necessary. Install front and rear driveshafts per alignment marks. Install starter motor. Reinstall exhaust components, skid plates, and belly pans. Lower vehicle. Fill transmission with Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF through dipstick tube. Install drain plug with new crush washer and torque to specification.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
Sensor Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked with audible click
Verify driveshaft alignment marks are correctly matched to prevent driveline vibration
Double-check that all transmission mounting bolts are torqued to proper specification
Confirm torque converter is fully engaged before starting engine by measuring depth from bellhousing face

Verification

Reconnect battery and start engine, checking for fluid leaks at pan, cooler lines, and pump seal
With engine at operating temperature and parking brake applied, shift through all gear ranges multiple times, verifying smooth engagement
Check transmission fluid level with engine running in Park on level surface, adding fluid as necessary to bring to proper level on dipstick
Road test vehicle through all gears, verifying smooth shifts, proper operation, and no abnormal noises from transmission or input shaft area
After road test, recheck fluid level and inspect for any new leaks, particularly at pump seal area
Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and clear any codes related to transmission relearn procedures