This procedure covers removal and replacement of the torque converter on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine and RWD configuration, requiring transmission removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Torque converter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Flexplate bolts (if reuse not permitted) × 8 — Use OEM specification
• Torque converter bolts × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 11 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Raise vehicle and secure on jack stands at frame contact points
4. Remove engine skid plate if equipped
5. Mark driveshaft-to-differential flange orientation with paint pen for proper reassembly
6. Support engine from above using engine support bar or hoist to prevent excessive movement when transmission is removed

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   Place drain pan under transmission pan. Remove transmission pan bolts in a crisscross pattern, starting with the rear bolts first to allow fluid to drain from the back. Once most fluid has drained, remove remaining bolts and lower pan. Remove and discard old filter and gasket. Clean pan thoroughly and inspect for metal debris indicating internal damage.
   Torque spec

   Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove driveshaft
   Remove the four driveshaft-to-rear differential flange bolts. Support driveshaft and slide it rearward to disengage from transmission output shaft. Cap transmission output shaft opening with a plug or plastic bag secured with tape to prevent fluid loss and contamination.
3. 3

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines and electrical connections
   Disconnect transmission cooler lines at the transmission using line wrench to prevent rounding fittings. Cap or plug lines immediately. Disconnect transmission wiring harness connectors including range selector, solenoid pack, and speed sensors. Remove any harness clips securing wiring to transmission case.
   ⚠Some residual fluid will drain from cooler lines. Have drain pan positioned appropriately.
4. 4

   Remove shift linkage and transmission support components
   Disconnect shift cable from transmission range selector lever. Remove shift cable bracket bolts from transmission case. Remove transmission crossmember support bolts and mounting bolts. Support transmission with transmission jack before removing crossmember completely.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect starter electrical connections including battery cable and solenoid wire. Remove starter mounting bolts and withdraw starter motor from bellhousing. Set aside in safe location. This provides access to lower torque converter and flexplate bolts.
6. 6

   Access torque converter bolts
   Locate torque converter access cover on bottom of bellhousing if equipped and remove cover screws. Alternatively, access may be through starter motor opening. Rotate crankshaft using breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt to bring each torque converter bolt into view through access opening.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove torque converter-to-flexplate bolts
   Have assistant hold flexplate stationary using holding tool or large pry bar against ring gear teeth. Remove all four torque converter-to-flexplate bolts, rotating crankshaft as necessary to access each bolt. Keep bolts organized for inspection. Mark torque converter orientation to flexplate if converter is being reused.
   ⚠Do not rotate engine by flexplate or ring gear. Always rotate using crankshaft pulley bolt.
   Torque spec

   Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove bellhousing-to-engine bolts
   Ensure transmission is securely supported on transmission jack. Remove all bellhousing-to-engine block bolts, working from top and bottom of bellhousing. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths. Note bolt locations as lengths may differ.
9. 9

   Separate transmission from engine
   Verify all bolts, lines, and electrical connections have been disconnected. Carefully slide transmission straight rearward on transmission jack to disengage input shaft from engine. Move slowly and ensure transmission remains level. Once transmission is clear of engine, lower transmission jack and move transmission away from vehicle.
   ⚠️Torque converter will slide out of transmission if not secured. Hold converter in place or use converter retention tool to prevent it from falling.
10. 10

    Remove torque converter from transmission
    With transmission on bench or secure stand, carefully slide torque converter straight out of transmission input shaft and pump. Torque converter contains residual fluid, so drain into appropriate container. Inspect converter hub for wear, scoring, or damage. Inspect flexplate for cracks, especially around bolt holes and ring gear.
11. 11

    Install new torque converter
    Clean transmission input shaft and torque converter mounting hub. Install new torque converter by carefully sliding it into transmission while rotating slightly to engage pump drive. Push converter in until it fully seats - you should feel three distinct drops as it engages each shaft. Measure from bellhousing face to converter mounting boss - it should be recessed approximately 0.5 inches when properly seated. Install converter retention tool or wire to prevent converter from sliding out during installation.
    ⚠Torque converter MUST be fully seated before installation. If not fully engaged, transmission pump will be damaged during installation.
12. 12

    Install transmission to engine
    Apply small amount of high-temp grease to transmission input shaft splines. Raise transmission into position using transmission jack, keeping it level. Align transmission with engine and carefully slide forward, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated and does not slide out. Converter hub should engage flexplate pilot before bellhousing contacts engine block. Install all bellhousing-to-engine bolts finger tight, then torque to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install torque converter to flexplate
    Rotate crankshaft to align flexplate bolt holes with torque converter bolt holes. Install all four torque converter bolts finger tight. Hold flexplate stationary and torque converter bolts to specification in a star pattern. Rotate crankshaft two complete revolutions and verify smooth rotation with no binding.
    Torque spec

    Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall transmission support and accessories
    Install transmission crossmember and mounting bolts to specification. Remove transmission jack once crossmember is secured. Reinstall starter motor and torque bolts to specification. Connect starter electrical connections. Install torque converter access cover if equipped and torque cover screws to specification.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)

    Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect all components and refill transmission
    Reconnect shift cable and bracket. Reconnect all transmission electrical connectors and secure wiring harness. Reconnect transmission cooler lines using new sealing washers if applicable. Install driveshaft, aligning marks made during disassembly. Install new transmission filter and pan gasket. Install pan and torque pan bolts to specification in crisscross pattern. Fill transmission with approximately 6 quarts of Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF initially. Reconnect battery negative cable.
    Torque spec

    Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Verify driveshaft is installed with alignment marks matching original orientation
3. Double-check all fluid line connections for leaks before starting engine
4. Reinstall engine skid plate if equipped

Verification

• Start engine and check for fluid leaks at pan gasket, cooler lines, and all connections
• With engine at idle and parking brake engaged, cycle through all gear positions, pausing in each for 3-5 seconds
• Return to Park and check transmission fluid level with engine running at operating temperature
• Add additional MERCON LV ATF as needed to bring level to proper range on dipstick (total capacity approximately 11 quarts)
• Test drive vehicle to verify smooth shifting through all gears and proper torque converter lockup
• Recheck fluid level after test drive and inspect for leaks
• Clear any diagnostic trouble codes that may have set during the procedure

More procedures for this vehicle