Complete removal and reinstallation of the 10R80 automatic transmission from a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine in RWD configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Torque converter bolts (if reused verify condition) × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Flywheel bolts (if TTY) × 8 — Verify if Torque-To-Yield before reuse

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 13 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove skid plates or underbody panels if equipped
5. Allow transmission to cool if vehicle was recently operated
6. Place drain pan under transmission pan and drain transmission fluid via drain plug
7. Mark driveshaft and differential yoke orientation for correct reinstallation

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid and remove pan
   With drain pan positioned, remove transmission drain plug using appropriate socket. Allow fluid to drain completely. Once drained, remove transmission pan bolts in criss-cross pattern working from outside toward center. Lower pan carefully as residual fluid will remain. Clean pan and magnet of debris.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug39 Nm (29 lb-ft)

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

   Disconnect driveshaft
   Remove four bolts securing driveshaft to transmission output flange. Support driveshaft and slide rearward to separate from transmission. Cap transmission output shaft with plug or bag to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Secure driveshaft out of work area.
3. 3

   Disconnect transmission electrical connectors and cooler lines
   Disconnect transmission wiring harness connector located on passenger side of transmission. Disconnect turbine speed sensor, output speed sensor, and shift solenoid connectors. Mark and disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission using appropriate line wrench. Cap or plug lines to prevent contamination.
4. 4

   Remove transmission crossmember
   Support transmission with transmission jack positioned at transmission pan rail. Remove transmission mount-to-crossmember fasteners, then remove crossmember-to-frame bolts. Lower crossmember and remove from vehicle. Ensure transmission is fully supported on jack before proceeding.
   ⚠Transmission must be securely supported on transmission jack before removing crossmember to prevent transmission from shifting.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove exhaust components if necessary
   If exhaust system interferes with transmission removal, disconnect exhaust at manifolds or remove crossover pipe sections as needed for clearance. Support exhaust components with wire or mechanic's wire to keep clear of work area.
6. 6

   Install engine support
   Install engine support bar across engine bay or attach engine hoist to support engine weight. Engine must be supported before removing transmission-to-engine bolts to prevent engine from tilting rearward when transmission is removed.
   ⚠️Engine must be properly supported before transmission separation to prevent engine damage and personal injury.
7. 7

   Access and remove torque converter bolts
   Remove torque converter inspection cover from bellhousing. Rotate engine crankshaft using 22mm socket on crankshaft bolt to access each of the four torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through inspection opening. Remove all four bolts and push torque converter back into transmission bellhousing.
   ⚠Push torque converter fully rearward into transmission and secure with converter holding tool or wire to prevent it from separating during transmission removal.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove transmission-to-engine bolts
   Remove all transmission bellhousing-to-engine block mounting bolts. There are typically 7-9 bolts of varying lengths around bellhousing perimeter. Note bolt locations and lengths for correct reinstallation. Remove starter motor if it interferes with upper bolt access.
   ℹ️Take note of bolt lengths and positions as they vary. Upper bolts may require extension and universal joint for access.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Separate and remove transmission
   With all bolts removed and torque converter secured, carefully slide transmission straight back away from engine using transmission jack. Ensure torque converter remains fully seated in transmission as it separates from engine. Once clear of engine dowel pins, carefully lower transmission and roll out from under vehicle. Maintain level orientation to prevent torque converter from sliding out.
   ⚠️Keep transmission level during removal. If torque converter slides forward and falls out, serious injury can occur due to weight.
10. 10

    Inspect and prepare for installation
    Inspect flexplate for cracks or damaged ring gear teeth. Check torque converter hub for damage. Clean transmission bellhousing mating surface on engine block. Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission by measuring depth from bellhousing face to converter boss - should be approximately 1/2 inch recessed. Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter pilot hub.
11. 11

    Install transmission to engine
    Raise transmission into position ensuring torque converter remains fully seated. Align transmission with engine dowel pins and carefully slide transmission forward. Transmission should slide smoothly onto dowels and make contact with engine block. If resistance is felt, verify torque converter is not binding on flexplate and transmission is aligned with dowels. Install all transmission-to-engine bolts finger tight, then torque to specification.
    ⚠Do not use bolts to draw transmission to engine. Transmission should slide into position with minimal effort. Forcing connection can damage transmission pump or torque converter.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install torque converter bolts
    Rotate engine crankshaft to align flexplate bolt holes with torque converter. Install torque converter-to-flexplate bolts through inspection opening, rotating crankshaft as needed to access each hole. If bolts are TTY type, use new bolts. Torque bolts in star pattern to specification. Install torque converter inspection cover.
    Torque spec

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

    Install crossmember and mount
    Position transmission crossmember and install frame bolts finger tight. Install transmission mount-to-crossmember fasteners. Torque all crossmember and mount fasteners to specification. Remove engine support equipment.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect components
    Reconnect transmission cooler lines and torque fittings appropriately. Reconnect all electrical connectors to transmission including main harness, sensors, and solenoid connections. Reinstall driveshaft aligning marks made during removal. Reinstall exhaust components if removed. Reinstall transmission pan with new gasket and torque pan bolts in criss-cross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Pan Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Refill transmission fluid
    Remove transmission fill plug. Using fluid transfer pump, add approximately 6 quarts of Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF through fill hole. Install fill plug and torque to specification. Start engine and allow to reach operating temperature. With engine running and parking brake applied, cycle through all gear positions, pausing in each for 3 seconds. Return to Park. Check fluid level per Ford procedure (typically requires scan tool to monitor fluid temperature). Add fluid as needed to bring to proper level.
    ℹ️Final fluid level check requires transmission fluid temperature between 35-45°C (95-113°F) with engine running. Overfilling can cause shifting issues and fluid aeration.
    Torque spec

    Fill Plug39 Nm (29 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the main steps above
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Verify driveshaft is aligned with marks made during disassembly
4. Double-check all fasteners are torqued to specification
5. Reinstall all underbody panels and skid plates removed during preparation

Verification

• With engine running in Park, verify no fluid leaks from pan, cooler lines, or drain plug
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifts through all gears
• Verify no abnormal noises from transmission during operation
• Recheck fluid level after test drive with transmission at operating temperature
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and verify no transmission-related codes are present
• Verify parking pawl engages properly by confirming vehicle does not roll when in Park on an incline

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