This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the transmission input shaft bearing on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost and RWD, requiring full transmission removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission input shaft bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission case cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Torque converter seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Input shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — If equipped

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 on lift or secure on jack stands at proper lift points
4. Remove exhaust system from manifolds back to behind transmission crossmember for clearance
5. Remove driveshaft and mark position for reinstallation alignment
6. Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission and plug openings
7. Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission (speed sensors, solenoid harness, range selector)
8. Place large drain pan beneath transmission pan
9. Remove transmission pan drain plug if equipped, or loosen pan bolts to drain fluid

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove transmission pan and filter
   Once fluid is drained, remove all transmission pan bolts in criss-cross pattern. Lower pan and remove old gasket material. Remove transmission filter by pulling straight down from valve body. Inspect for metal debris which may indicate additional internal damage.
   Torque spec

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

   Support engine and remove transmission crossmember
   Install engine support bar across engine bay or use hoist with chain to support engine weight. Position transmission jack under transmission with adapter plate. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts and lower crossmember away. Ensure transmission is fully supported before proceeding.
   ⚠️Engine and transmission must be adequately supported before removing crossmember. Verify stability before continuing.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate torque converter from flexplate
   Access torque converter bolts through starter opening. Rotate crankshaft using bolt on front crankshaft pulley to bring each torque converter bolt into view. Remove all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts. Mark torque converter position for reassembly. Push torque converter back into transmission bell housing.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove transmission-to-engine mounting bolts
   Remove all transmission bell housing bolts connecting transmission to engine block. There are multiple bolt locations around the perimeter. Note bolt lengths and positions as they vary. Check for any remaining brackets or ground straps before separation.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove transmission from vehicle
   Ensure torque converter is pushed fully into transmission and will not fall during removal. Carefully slide transmission rearward on jack, ensuring it clears engine alignment dowels. Angle transmission nose down slightly if needed for clearance. Lower transmission from vehicle and move to clean workbench. Secure torque converter to prevent it from sliding out.
   ⚠Maintain control of transmission during removal. Weight shift can cause jack instability.
6. 6

   Disassemble transmission case for bearing access
   With transmission on bench, remove valve body cover screws and carefully lower valve body assembly. Label and photograph all electrical connections and valve body components for reassembly. Remove additional internal components as necessary to access transmission case split. Remove all transmission case cover screws around perimeter. Carefully separate case halves using plastic hammer taps, never pry on mating surfaces.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove input shaft assembly
   With case split, carefully lift out input shaft assembly. Note position of all thrust washers, snap rings, and spacers. Photograph or diagram their positions. Place components in organized sequence on clean workspace. Inspect input shaft for scoring or damage that may have caused bearing failure.
   ℹ️Keep all internal components in exact order for reassembly. Mix-ups will cause transmission failure.
8. 8

   Remove and inspect failed bearing
   Using appropriate bearing puller, carefully remove input shaft bearing from case or shaft (depending on bearing design). Inspect bearing race in case for damage, scoring, or discoloration. Inspect input shaft bearing surface for wear, scoring, or heat discoloration. Clean all bearing surfaces thoroughly with solvent and compressed air.
   ⚠Do not reuse old bearing even if it appears serviceable. Inspect shaft and case bearing surfaces carefully for damage.
9. 9

   Install new input shaft bearing
   Using proper bearing installation tool or driver, install new bearing squarely onto shaft or into case bore. Drive bearing until it seats fully against shoulder or snap ring groove. Verify bearing is fully seated using dial indicator or by measuring installation depth. Install bearing snap ring if equipped. Lubricate bearing with MERCON LV fluid before reassembly.
   ⚠Bearing must be driven on squarely to prevent cocking and damage. Use proper sized driver that contacts only bearing inner or outer race as appropriate.
10. 10

    Reassemble transmission case
    Reinstall input shaft assembly with all thrust washers, spacers, and snap rings in exact original positions. Verify all snap rings are fully seated in grooves. Apply new gasket or RTV sealant to case mating surface per manufacturer specifications. Carefully align case halves and install all case cover screws. Torque cover screws in criss-cross pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install valve body and pan
    Reinstall valve body assembly, reconnecting all electrical connections and ensuring proper alignment. Install new transmission filter. Clean transmission pan thoroughly and install new gasket. Install pan and torque bolts in criss-cross pattern. Install drain plug with new crush washer if equipped.
    Torque spec

    Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)

    Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall transmission to vehicle
    Ensure torque converter is fully seated in transmission (should be recessed approximately 1 inch from bell housing face). Raise transmission into position using transmission jack. Align with engine and carefully slide forward onto alignment dowels. Install all bell housing bolts and torque to specification. Rotate crankshaft to align torque converter bolt holes with flexplate. Install and torque converter bolts in star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)

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

    Reinstall crossmember and exhaust
    Raise crossmember into position and install mounting bolts. Torque to specification. Remove transmission jack and engine support. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission ensuring they click fully into place. Reinstall transmission cooler lines with new O-rings if needed. Reinstall driveshaft aligned to marks made during removal. Reinstall exhaust system.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Fill transmission and perform initial checks
    Pour approximately 5 quarts of MERCON LV fluid through dipstick tube. Start engine and allow to idle. Shift through all gear ranges while holding brake. Add additional fluid to bring level to proper range on dipstick with transmission at operating temperature. Check for leaks at pan, cooler lines, and case seams.
    ℹ️Do not overfill transmission. Check fluid level with engine running and transmission in Park on level surface.

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Ensure transmission cooler lines are properly secured with no kinks
3. Verify driveshaft is installed in original position and all U-joint bolts are torqued
4. Double-check all transmission mounting bolts are torqued to specification
5. Reconnect negative battery cable and clear any stored transmission codes

Verification

• Start engine and verify no leaks from transmission pan, case, or cooler lines
• With engine at idle and parking brake applied, shift through all gear positions and verify smooth engagement
• Road test vehicle through all gears, verifying smooth shifts with no slipping, noise, or vibration
• Recheck transmission fluid level at operating temperature and adjust as needed
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and verify no transmission-related codes are present
• Monitor transmission operation for first 100 miles, checking for leaks and proper shift quality

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