This procedure covers removal and replacement of the flexplate on a 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 automatic transmission, requiring transmission removal to access the flexplate mounted between the crankshaft and torque converter.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Flexplate × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Flexplate bolts × 8 — Use new OEM bolts - critical fastener
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Kia SP-IV-M ATF — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
4. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove front wheels
6. Remove engine undershield/splash guards
7. Place drain pan under transmission and drain transmission fluid completely
8. Install engine support fixture across engine bay to support engine weight during transmission removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove front subframe components
   Disconnect both front lower control arms from steering knuckles. Remove front stabilizer bar links. Disconnect steering gear from subframe but leave power steering lines attached. Support subframe with floor jack and remove subframe mounting bolts, then lower subframe approximately 4-6 inches to gain clearance for transmission removal.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect transmission connections
   Disconnect transmission wiring harness connectors including vehicle speed sensor and shift solenoid connectors. Disconnect transmission cooler lines at transmission - plug lines and openings to prevent contamination. Remove transmission dipstick tube if equipped. Disconnect shift cable from transmission lever and bracket.
   ⚠Have shop towels ready as residual ATF will drain from cooler lines
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove torque converter access cover
   Remove the lower torque converter access cover/dust shield from the bellhousing. This provides access to the torque converter-to-flexplate bolts. Clean area around cover to prevent debris from entering bellhousing.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Mark and remove torque converter bolts
   Rotate crankshaft using breaker bar on crankshaft pulley bolt to access each torque converter bolt through access opening. Mark the torque converter position relative to the flexplate with paint pen for reassembly balance reference. Remove all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts while preventing crankshaft rotation. Push torque converter back into transmission and secure with retaining strap or safety wire to prevent it from separating during transmission removal.
   ⚠Rotate engine in normal direction of rotation only (clockwise from front)
   Torque spec

   Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Support and remove transmission
   Position transmission jack under transmission and secure transmission to jack with safety chains or straps. Remove transmission mount and crossmember. Remove starter motor and set aside. Remove all bellhousing-to-engine bolts noting their locations as they may be different lengths. Carefully pull transmission straight back from engine to disengage input shaft from torque converter pilot. Lower transmission on jack and remove from under vehicle.
   ⚠️Ensure torque converter remains fully seated in transmission - if it falls out, transmission front pump can be damaged during reinstallation
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Lock crankshaft and remove flexplate
   Install crankshaft holding tool or flywheel lock to prevent crankshaft rotation. Remove all flexplate-to-crankshaft bolts in a crisscross pattern working from outside toward center. Remove flexplate from crankshaft flange. Inspect crankshaft flange surface and dowel pins for damage, wear, or cracks.
   ⚠Support flexplate while removing final bolts to prevent it from falling and causing injury
   Torque spec

   Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Inspect components and clean surfaces
   Thoroughly inspect the removed flexplate for cracks, especially around bolt holes and between crankshaft mounting area and torque converter bolt circle. Check starter ring gear teeth for damage or excessive wear. Inspect torque converter pilot hub for scoring or wear. Clean crankshaft flange thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth - surface must be completely free of oil, dirt, and old thread locker residue. Verify crankshaft dowel pins are present and undamaged.
   ℹ️Any cracks in flexplate require replacement - do not attempt to repair a cracked flexplate
8. 8

   Install new flexplate
   Position new flexplate onto crankshaft flange ensuring it is oriented correctly - torque converter side faces toward transmission. Align flexplate with dowel pins on crankshaft flange. Apply blue thread locker to new flexplate bolt threads. Install all flexplate bolts finger-tight, ensuring proper seating. With crankshaft locked, torque flexplate bolts following the specified tightening sequence per service manual in a star/crisscross pattern. Perform final torque pass to verify all bolts are properly seated and torqued.
   ⚠Always use new flexplate bolts - these are critical torque-to-yield fasteners
   ⚠Incorrect bolt tightening sequence can warp flexplate and cause vibration - verify sequence with factory service manual
   Torque spec

   Flexplate Bolts85 Nm (63 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall transmission
   Verify torque converter is fully seated in transmission by measuring depth from bellhousing face to torque converter pilot - should be approximately 1 inch recessed. Raise transmission into position using transmission jack. Align transmission with engine ensuring dowel pins engage properly. Push transmission forward until bellhousing contacts engine block - do not use bolts to draw transmission to engine. Install all bellhousing-to-engine bolts and torque following factory sequence. Reinstall starter motor.
   ⚠️If transmission does not slide forward easily, do not force it - torque converter may not be properly seated or aligned
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect torque converter to flexplate
    Align torque converter with flexplate using reference marks made during disassembly. Rotate crankshaft to access each bolt hole through access opening. Apply blue thread locker to torque converter bolt threads. Install torque converter bolts and torque following specified sequence while preventing crankshaft rotation. Verify all bolts are properly torqued. Remove torque converter retaining strap/wire. Install torque converter access cover.
    ℹ️Aligning marks ensures original balance is maintained
    Torque spec

    Torque Converter Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect transmission components
    Install transmission mount and crossmember, torquing mounting bolts to specification. Reconnect shift cable to transmission lever and bracket. Reconnect transmission cooler lines using new sealing washers if equipped. Reconnect all transmission wiring harness connectors. Reinstall transmission dipstick tube if equipped. Raise and secure subframe, reconnect steering gear, stabilizer links, and lower control arms.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts19 Nm (14 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Refill transmission fluid
    Remove engine support fixture. Install new transmission filter and pan gasket if pan was removed. Fill transmission with approximately 8 quarts of Kia SP-IV-M ATF through dipstick tube or fill plug. Start engine and allow to idle. With parking brake applied and foot on brake pedal, shift through all gear ranges pausing in each position. Check fluid level with engine running in Park on level ground at operating temperature. Add fluid as needed to bring level to proper mark. Check for leaks around pan, cooler lines, and all connections.
    ⚠Use only Kia SP-IV-M automatic transmission fluid - incorrect fluid will cause transmission damage

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine undershield and splash guards
2. Reinstall front wheels and torque lug nuts to specification
3. Lower vehicle from jack stands
4. Reconnect negative battery cable
5. Reset any applicable transmission adaptations using scan tool if available

Verification

• Start engine and verify no abnormal noises from bellhousing area - any grinding or rattling indicates improper installation
• With engine at operating temperature, verify transmission shifts smoothly through all gears with no slipping or harsh engagement
• Check transmission fluid level with engine running at normal operating temperature - adjust as needed
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth operation in all gear ranges with no vibration, especially during acceleration
• After test drive, recheck all connections for leaks including transmission pan, cooler lines, and bellhousing
• Recheck transmission fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Verify no check engine light or transmission warning lights are illuminated

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