Back to 2021 Hyundai Tucson

2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON

2.5L I4AWDAUTOMATICgas
1 active safety recall on this vehicle — view recalls
Repairs438Labor564Torque3745Fluid9DTC923Battery0Maintenance0Recalls1
transmission

Transmission Input Shaft Bearing

for 2021 Hyundai Tucson 2.5L I4 · AWD
Difficulty
Expert
Time
8.0 h
Tools
15
Steps
15

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the transmission input shaft bearing, requiring complete transmission removal from the vehicle and partial transmission disassembly.

Warnings

⚠️Transmission weighs approximately 200 lbs. Use proper lifting equipment and assistance to prevent serious injury.
⚠️Vehicle must be supported on jack stands rated for the vehicle weight. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
Bearing installation requires precise alignment and pressure. Improper installation will cause immediate transmission failure.
ATF can be hot enough to cause severe burns. Allow transmission to cool completely before draining.
ℹ️This repair requires advanced transmission knowledge and specialized tools. Improper reassembly can result in catastrophic transmission failure.

Tools required

Transmission jackEssential
Engine support bar or fixtureEssential
Bearing puller setEssential
Bearing installation driver setEssential
Torque wrench (10-100 Nm range)Essential
Socket set (10mm-19mm)Essential
Floor jack and jack standsEssential
Fluid drain pan (minimum 12 quart capacity)Essential
Dial indicator with magnetic baseEssential
Snap ring pliers (internal and external)Essential
Plastic dead blow hammer
Hydraulic press (20 ton minimum)Essential
Micrometer setEssential
Flywheel holding toolEssential
Seal installation tools

Parts

  • Transmission input shaft bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Transmission filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Input shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Transmission case cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • RTV gasket maker (Hyundai approved) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

  • Hyundai SP-IV-M ATF — 10 qt

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
  2. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
  3. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at all four corners
  4. Remove front wheels and engine under covers
  5. Install engine support bar across engine bay to support engine weight
  6. Allow transmission to cool completely if recently operated
  7. Mark driveshaft and transfer case flanges for reinstallation alignment
  8. Prepare clean workspace for transmission disassembly

Procedure

  1. 1
    Drain transmission fluid
    Place large drain pan under transmission. Remove drain plug from transmission pan and allow fluid to drain completely. Remove transmission pan bolts in criss-cross pattern and lower pan to access filter. Remove filter and inspect for metal debris indicating internal damage.
    Torque spec
    Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
    Pan Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Disconnect driveline components
    Remove front driveshaft mounting bolts from transfer case. Remove rear driveshaft mounting bolts. Support and remove both driveshafts. Disconnect transfer case electrical connectors and breather hose. Remove transfer case mounting bolts and carefully lower transfer case from transmission.
    Mark all driveshaft flanges before removal to maintain proper phasing during reassembly.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
  3. 3
    Disconnect transmission connections
    Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission (catch residual fluid). Disconnect electrical connectors from all transmission sensors and solenoids. Disconnect shift cable from transmission lever and bracket. Remove starter motor mounting bolts and position aside without disconnecting electrical connections.
    Torque spec
    Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  4. 4
    Support and remove transmission crossmember
    Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan with wood block to distribute load. Raise jack until it just contacts transmission. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts. Carefully lower and remove crossmember.
    ⚠️Ensure transmission jack is properly positioned and secure before removing crossmember support.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Remove bell housing and transmission
    Remove lower bell housing dust cover. Mark flywheel to flexplate orientation. Use flywheel holding tool to prevent rotation and remove flywheel mounting bolts. Remove all bell housing to engine block mounting bolts. Carefully pull transmission straight back away from engine, ensuring torque converter remains with transmission. Lower transmission on jack and remove from vehicle.
    Support torque converter while separating transmission to prevent it from falling and damaging front pump.
    Torque spec
    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
    Mounting Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Disassemble transmission case
    Mount transmission securely on work bench. Remove torque converter. Remove valve body by removing all valve body mounting bolts in proper sequence (consult service manual for pattern). Carefully lower valve body and disconnect internal harness. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and carefully extract oil pump assembly. Remove input shaft snap ring from front of case.
    Keep all valve body components clean and organized. Any dirt contamination will cause valve malfunction.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  7. 7
    Split transmission case
    Remove all case bolts in proper sequence. Use plastic dead blow hammer to gently tap case halves apart at designated separation points. Carefully lift case half straight up to expose internal components. Note position of all thrust washers and bearings for reassembly reference.
    ℹ️Take photos during disassembly to document thrust washer locations and orientations.
    Torque spec
    Pan Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
  8. 8
    Remove input shaft assembly
    Remove input shaft retaining snap ring. Carefully lift input shaft assembly from case. Place input shaft in padded vise or suitable holding fixture. Remove input shaft end snap ring to access bearing. Note bearing orientation and position before removal.
  9. 9
    Remove and inspect old bearing
    Using hydraulic press and appropriate support fixtures, press input shaft out of bearing. Inspect bearing race in transmission case for damage or wear. Measure input shaft bearing journal diameter with micrometer to verify it is within specification (consult service manual for limits). Inspect splines for wear or damage. Clean all components thoroughly.
    If shaft journal is worn beyond specification, input shaft must be replaced. Bearing will fail prematurely on worn journal.
  10. 10
    Install new bearing on input shaft
    Place new bearing in freezer for 30 minutes to aid installation. Ensure bearing orientation matches original (most input shaft bearings have directional installation). Using hydraulic press with appropriate driver that contacts only bearing inner race, press new bearing onto input shaft until fully seated against shoulder. Install bearing retaining snap ring and verify it is fully seated in groove.
    ⚠️Press only on inner bearing race during installation. Pressing on outer race or rolling elements will destroy bearing.
  11. 11
    Verify bearing endplay
    Install input shaft assembly in transmission case temporarily. Mount dial indicator on case with plunger contacting end of input shaft. Zero indicator and lift shaft to measure axial endplay. Verify endplay is within specification (typically 0.1-0.3mm). If endplay is excessive, verify correct bearing installation and snap ring seating.
    ℹ️Excessive endplay indicates improper bearing seating or incorrect bearing specification.
  12. 12
    Reassemble transmission case
    Install all thrust washers in original positions with correct orientation. Apply thin coat of ATF to all friction surfaces. Carefully install input shaft assembly with new bearing. Install remaining internal components. Apply thin bead of approved RTV to case mating surface where specified. Carefully align and install case half. Install all case bolts and tighten in proper sequence to prevent case warping.
    Use only Hyundai-approved RTV. Incorrect sealant can contaminate valve body and damage transmission.
    Torque spec
    Pan Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
  13. 13
    Reinstall oil pump and valve body
    Install new input shaft seal in oil pump housing using seal driver. Install oil pump assembly with new gasket, ensuring proper alignment with input shaft. Torque oil pump bolts to specification. Reconnect valve body internal harness. Carefully raise valve body into position and install all mounting bolts, tightening in proper sequence.
    Verify oil pump rotates freely by hand before installing valve body. Binding indicates misalignment.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  14. 14
    Install transmission in vehicle
    Install torque converter on transmission and verify it is fully seated (should engage three distinct times). Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter hub. With transmission on jack, raise into position and align with engine. Carefully slide transmission forward, ensuring torque converter hub engages properly with oil pump. Install bell housing bolts and tighten in star pattern.
    ⚠️Verify torque converter is fully seated before bolting transmission to engine. Improper seating will destroy front pump.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
  15. 15
    Complete installation and fill transmission
    Install flywheel bolts using flywheel holding tool and torque in star pattern. Install transmission crossmember and mounting bolts. Reconnect all electrical connectors, shift cable, and cooler lines. Install transfer case with new gasket. Install driveshafts in original orientation. Install starter motor. Install new transmission filter and pan with new gasket. Fill transmission with specified SP-IV-M ATF to proper level. Reconnect battery.
    Torque spec
    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
    Mounting Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
    Pan Bolts16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
    Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated with positive clicks
  2. Verify all cooler line connections are tight and properly routed away from heat sources
  3. Check that shift cable operates smoothly through all gear positions before lowering vehicle
  4. Verify driveshaft phasing marks are aligned to prevent vibration
  5. Double-check all mounting bolt torque values with calibrated torque wrench

Verification

  • Start engine and verify no transmission fluid leaks from pan, cooler lines, or case seams
  • With engine at operating temperature, verify proper ATF level on dipstick (engine running, transmission in Park)
  • Perform test drive through all gear ranges, verifying smooth shifts with no noise, vibration, or hesitation
  • Check for unusual noises from transmission, particularly during acceleration and deceleration
  • Verify no fault codes are present using OBD-II scanner
  • After test drive, recheck fluid level and inspect for leaks on lift
  • Road test vehicle for minimum 20 miles and recheck fluid level when fully warmed

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