Complete removal and reinstallation of the 10R80 automatic transmission from a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including driveshaft, crossmember, and torque converter separation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer (if equipped) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Driveshaft U-joint strap bolts × 4 — Replace if damaged
• Exhaust flange gaskets (if separated) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 11 qt

Preparation

1. Lift vehicle on two-post lift or support securely on jack stands at frame contact points. Vehicle must be level.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system capacitor discharge.
3. Remove skid plates or belly pans if equipped to access transmission.
4. Place drain pan under transmission pan and drain transmission fluid via drain plug (if equipped) or by removing pan bolts. Allow adequate time for fluid to drain completely.
5. Remove transmission pan and filter assembly. Inspect for metal debris or excessive clutch material.
6. Position transmission jack under transmission and secure with chains or straps. Do not fully support transmission weight yet.
7. Place floor jack with wood block under engine oil pan to support engine during transmission removal.

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect electrical connections and shifter cable
   Locate and disconnect the transmission wiring harness connector on the passenger side of transmission. Press release tab and pull connector straight out. Disconnect the shifter cable from transmission shift lever by prying off retaining clip with flathead screwdriver, then lifting cable end off ball stud. Remove shifter cable bracket from transmission case (two bolts).
2. 2

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines
   Locate transmission cooler lines on driver side of transmission case. Use a line wrench or flare nut wrench to disconnect both cooler lines from transmission fittings. Be prepared for residual fluid to drain. Cap or plug lines and transmission ports to prevent contamination. If lines use quick-disconnect fittings, press release tabs and pull lines straight out.
   ⚠Expect residual fluid to drain from cooler lines. Position drain pan to catch fluid.
3. 3

   Remove driveshaft
   Mark the driveshaft flange orientation to rear axle pinion flange using paint marker. Remove four bolts securing rear driveshaft flange to pinion flange. Support driveshaft center bearing if equipped. Slide driveshaft rearward to disengage from transmission output shaft. Do not allow driveshaft to hang unsupported. Remove driveshaft from vehicle and set aside. Insert a plug or old yoke into transmission extension housing to prevent fluid leakage.
4. 4

   Disconnect exhaust system
   Remove oxygen sensor connectors from downstream sensors if they interfere with transmission removal. Remove exhaust hanger at catalytic converter crossover pipe. If necessary, separate exhaust Y-pipe at flange connection behind catalytic converters to allow sufficient clearance for transmission removal. Support exhaust with jack stand or wire to prevent strain on front exhaust components.
5. 5

   Remove transmission crossmember and support
   Support transmission weight with transmission jack, raising slightly to unload crossmember. Remove bolts securing transmission mount to crossmember. Remove crossmember-to-frame bolts (typically four bolts total). Lower transmission jack slightly to create clearance and remove crossmember from vehicle. Verify engine is properly supported on floor jack before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect starter motor electrical connections (battery cable and solenoid wire). Remove starter mounting bolts (typically three bolts on EcoBoost applications). Remove starter motor from bell housing. This provides access to lower torque converter bolts and bell housing bolts.
7. 7

   Access and remove torque converter bolts
   Through starter motor opening, rotate crankshaft using a 22mm socket on crankshaft bolt to access each torque converter-to-flexplate bolt. There are typically four bolts. Remove all torque converter bolts. Mark flywheel position to torque converter if reinstalling same transmission. Push torque converter back into transmission bell housing and verify it is fully seated on transmission input shaft and oil pump.
   ⚠Ensure torque converter is pushed fully rearward into transmission after bolts are removed to prevent it from falling out during transmission removal.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove bell housing-to-engine block bolts
   Locate and remove all bell housing-to-engine block mounting bolts. On 3.5L EcoBoost with 10R80 transmission, there are typically 9-10 bolts of varying lengths around the bell housing perimeter. Note bolt locations and lengths for proper reinstallation. Remove upper bolts first, then lower bolts. Support transmission firmly on transmission jack.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Separate and lower transmission
   Verify all connections, bolts, and mounts are disconnected. Slowly lower transmission jack while guiding transmission rearward away from engine. Transmission must slide straight back to disengage input shaft from engine. Keep transmission level to prevent torque converter from sliding out of bell housing. Once clear of engine, carefully lower transmission and roll transmission jack out from under vehicle.
   ⚠️Keep transmission level and ensure torque converter remains fully seated in bell housing. If torque converter falls out, fluid will spill and reinstallation will be difficult.
10. 10

    Install transmission to engine
    Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission (should be recessed approximately 1/2 inch from bell housing face). Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter pilot hub. Position transmission on transmission jack and raise into position, aligning transmission with engine block dowel pins. Slide transmission forward, keeping it level. Transmission input shaft must engage engine crankshaft pilot bearing and torque converter must slide onto flexplate studs. Wiggle transmission gently if needed while pushing forward until bell housing contacts engine block.
    ⚠Do not use bell housing bolts to draw transmission to engine. Transmission must slide fully forward and bell housing must mate flush with engine block before installing bolts.
11. 11

    Install bell housing bolts
    Install all bell housing-to-engine block bolts in their correct locations. Start all bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern to the specified torque. For smaller mounting bolts use 31.0 Nm (23 lb-ft), for larger mounting bolts use 70.0 Nm (52 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install torque converter bolts
    Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolt holes with flexplate. Apply thread locker to torque converter bolt threads. Install all four torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through starter opening. Tighten bolts in a star pattern to 95.0 Nm (70 lb-ft). If bolts are torque-to-yield (TTY) type, follow manufacturer tightening procedure (torque plus angle).
    ℹ️Verify flexplate-to-torque converter alignment marks match if reusing same transmission. Torque converter bolts are often TTY and may require replacement.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall starter motor
    Position starter motor into bell housing. Install starter mounting bolts and tighten securely. Reconnect starter electrical connections (battery cable and solenoid wire). Ensure all connections are clean and tight.
14. 14

    Install transmission crossmember and mount
    Raise transmission slightly with transmission jack to align with crossmember position. Install crossmember to frame rails and install bolts finger-tight. Install transmission mount to crossmember bolts and tighten to 31.0 Nm (23 lb-ft). Tighten crossmember-to-frame bolts to 70.0 Nm (52 lb-ft). Remove transmission jack and engine support jack.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect driveshaft, exhaust, and all connections
    Remove plug from transmission extension housing. Apply light coat of grease to transmission output shaft splines. Slide driveshaft into transmission extension housing, aligning marks made during disassembly on driveshaft flange and pinion flange. Install and tighten driveshaft flange bolts. Reconnect exhaust system and install new gaskets if flanges were separated. Reconnect transmission cooler lines and tighten fittings. Reconnect transmission wiring harness. Install shifter cable to shift lever and install cable bracket. Reconnect oxygen sensor connectors if disconnected.

Reassembly

1. Install new transmission pan gasket and reinstall transmission pan. Tighten pan bolts in criss-cross pattern to 12.0 Nm (9 lb-ft).
2. If transmission drain plug was removed, install new crush washer and tighten drain plug to 30.0 Nm (22 lb-ft).
3. Reinstall any skid plates or belly pans removed during disassembly.
4. Reconnect negative battery cable.
5. Lower vehicle to ground.

Verification

• Fill transmission with 11.0 quarts of Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF through dipstick tube using fluid transfer pump. Start with approximately 8 quarts, then add gradually while checking level.
• Start engine and allow to idle. Shift through all gear ranges (P-R-N-D-L) while holding brake, pausing 3 seconds in each gear.
• With engine at idle and transmission in Park, check fluid level on dipstick. Fluid should be in COLD range. Add fluid as needed to bring to proper level.
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gears. Check for unusual noises, vibrations, or leaks.
• After test drive, recheck transmission fluid level with engine at operating temperature and in Park. Adjust to HOT range on dipstick.
• Inspect all connection points, cooler lines, pan, and drain plug for fluid leaks. Retorque pan bolts if seepage is observed.
• Clear any diagnostic trouble codes and verify no transmission-related codes return after test drive.

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