Complete removal and reinstallation of the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission from a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including drivetrain disconnection, crossmember removal, and transmission mating.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Driveshaft bolts (if reusing is not recommended) × 4 — Check for TTY specification
• Exhaust flange gaskets × 2 — 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 terminal and secure cable away from battery post.
3. Raise vehicle to working height and support on jack stands at frame rails. Ensure rear axle can move freely.
4. Remove skid plates and belly pans if equipped.
5. Mark driveshaft-to-pinion flange and driveshaft-to-transmission output flange orientation with paint pen for proper reinstallation alignment.
6. Place drain pan under transmission and drain ATF via drain plug if equipped, otherwise prepare for fluid loss when pan is removed.
7. Allow transmission to cool if vehicle was recently operated to avoid burns from hot fluid and components.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove exhaust system components
   Disconnect exhaust system at the catalytic converter flanges. Support exhaust with jack or hangers and remove exhaust hangers from the transmission crossmember back to the tailpipe. Remove complete exhaust assembly from catalytic converters rearward to provide clearance for transmission removal. Set aside in safe location.
2. 2

   Disconnect driveshaft
   Remove the four bolts securing the driveshaft to the rear axle pinion flange. Support driveshaft and remove bolts securing front yoke to transmission output flange. Carefully lower driveshaft and remove from vehicle. Inspect U-joints for wear while removed. Place plug or tape over transmission output housing to prevent fluid loss.
3. 3

   Disconnect electrical connectors and shift linkage
   Locate and disconnect all electrical connectors on transmission including: output shaft speed sensor, input shaft speed sensor, transmission range sensor, solenoid body connector, and turbine shaft speed sensor. Release any wiring harness clips attached to transmission. Disconnect shift cable from transmission range selector lever by prying off retaining clip, then disconnect cable from mounting bracket.
4. 4

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines
   Locate transmission cooler lines at transmission case (driver side). Use appropriate tool to disconnect quick-connect fittings or remove threaded fittings. Have shop rags ready to catch fluid. Cap or plug lines and transmission ports to prevent contamination and fluid loss. Inspect lines and fittings for damage.
5. 5

   Remove transmission fill tube
   Remove bolt securing transmission dipstick tube to transmission. Carefully pull dipstick tube straight up and out of transmission case. Some ATF will drain from tube. Remove and discard O-ring from tube.
6. 6

   Support transmission and remove crossmember
   Position transmission jack under transmission pan, using adapter or wood block to distribute load. Secure transmission to jack with chains or straps. Raise jack slightly to support transmission weight. Remove bolts securing transmission mount to crossmember, then remove bolts securing crossmember to frame rails. Carefully lower and remove crossmember.
7. 7

   Remove starter motor
   Disconnect electrical connections from starter motor (battery cable and solenoid wire). Remove two or three mounting bolts securing starter to bellhousing. Carefully remove starter and set aside. This provides access to lower bellhousing bolts and torque converter.
8. 8

   Access and remove torque converter bolts
   Through the starter motor opening, access the flexplate-to-torque converter bolts. Rotate crankshaft using 22mm socket on crankshaft pulley bolt to bring each torque converter bolt into view. Remove all bolts (typically four). Mark flexplate and torque converter position if not already indexed. Push torque converter rearward into bellhousing to disengage from flexplate.
   ℹ️Keep track of torque converter bolt count and ensure all are removed before attempting transmission removal.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove bellhousing-to-engine block bolts
   Remove all bellhousing-to-engine block mounting bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts in various locations around the bellhousing perimeter. Use extensions and universal joints as needed to access upper bolts. Verify all bolts are removed before attempting to separate transmission.
   ⚠Ensure transmission jack is securely supporting transmission weight before removing final bolts.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Separate and remove transmission
    With all bolts removed and transmission secured on jack, carefully pull transmission straight back away from engine. Ensure torque converter remains fully seated in transmission (approximately 1 inch recessed from bellhousing face). Use pry bar if needed to help separate transmission from dowel pins. Once clear of engine, carefully lower transmission on jack and roll out from under vehicle. Immediately install torque converter holding tool or secure converter with wire to prevent it from sliding out.
    ⚠️Keep transmission level during removal. If tilted excessively, torque converter can slide out and cause injury or damage.
11. 11

    Inspect flexplate and pilot bearing
    With transmission removed, inspect flexplate for cracks, heat damage, or worn ring gear teeth. Check flexplate runout if replacing transmission due to vibration issues. Inspect crankshaft pilot bearing/bushing in center of crankshaft for wear. Replace any damaged components before installing transmission.
12. 12

    Prepare transmission for installation
    If installing a replacement transmission, verify torque converter is fully seated by measuring depth from bellhousing face to converter ear lugs (should be approximately 1 inch recessed). Install new transmission pan gasket if pan was removed. Apply small amount of ATF to torque converter hub and pump seal. Verify all dowel pins are present in engine block or transmission bellhousing.
13. 13

    Install transmission to engine
    Raise transmission on jack to alignment height. Ensure torque converter remains fully seated. Carefully guide transmission forward, aligning with engine dowel pins. Rotate torque converter as needed to engage transmission input shaft splines with torque converter hub. Once dowel pins are engaged and transmission is flush against engine block, install and hand-tighten all bellhousing bolts.
    ⚠Do not use bellhousing bolts to draw transmission to engine. Transmission should mate flush with minimal effort. If resistance is felt, verify converter is seated and input shaft is engaged.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install torque converter to flexplate
    Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolt holes with flexplate holes, matching alignment marks made during disassembly. Install torque converter bolts through starter opening and tighten in star pattern to specification. Verify converter can no longer be pushed rearward into bellhousing.
    ℹ️Flexplate bolts are often TTY (torque-to-yield). Use new bolts if specified by manufacturer or if old bolts show signs of stretching.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall starter motor and crossmember
    Position starter motor into bellhousing and install mounting bolts to specification. Reconnect electrical connections. Raise crossmember into position and install frame mounting bolts. Install transmission mount to crossmember bolts and torque to specification. Verify transmission mount is not stressed or misaligned.
16. 16

    Reconnect all transmission connections
    Install dipstick tube with new O-ring. Reconnect transmission cooler lines ensuring positive engagement of quick-connects or proper torque on threaded fittings. Reconnect all electrical connectors to sensors and solenoid body. Reconnect shift cable to range selector lever and bracket. Verify cable operates smoothly through all gear positions.
17. 17

    Install driveshaft and exhaust
    Install driveshaft, aligning marks made during disassembly. Install and torque bolts at transmission output flange and pinion flange. Reinstall exhaust system from catalytic converters rearward using new flange gaskets. Secure all exhaust hangers and torque flange bolts to specification.
18. 18

    Fill transmission with ATF
    Using fluid transfer pump, add approximately 6 quarts of Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF through dipstick tube. Start engine and allow to idle. With engine idling and parking brake engaged, shift through all gear positions pausing 2-3 seconds in each. Return to Park. Check fluid level with engine running and transmission at operating temperature. Add fluid to bring level to full mark. Total capacity is approximately 11 quarts.
    ⚠Do not overfill transmission. Overfilling can cause foaming, overheating, and seal damage.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall belly pans and skid plates if equipped.
2. Reconnect negative battery terminal.
3. Lower vehicle from jack stands.
4. Perform complete fluid level check with vehicle on level ground and transmission at full operating temperature (160-200°F).
5. Reset transmission adaptive learning if required using appropriate scan tool for optimal shift quality.

Verification

• Start engine and verify no ATF leaks at pan, cooler lines, converter housing, or dipstick tube.
• With engine at idle and parking brake applied, verify transmission engages smoothly in all gear ranges (P, R, N, D, and manual mode).
• Test drive vehicle and verify proper shift quality, no slipping, no unusual noises, and verify speedometer operation.
• Recheck ATF level after test drive with transmission at operating temperature and add fluid if necessary.
• Verify no DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) are present in transmission control module using scan tool.
• Check exhaust system for leaks and verify driveshaft has no vibration or unusual noise.

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