How to Remove a Ford Transmission

Ford has made a litany of transmissions over its long history, some more durable than others. No matter which type of transmission the vehicle is equipped with, there comes a point where the transmission must be rebuilt. To do so, it must first be removed from the vehicle. Thankfully, removing a Ford transmission is a fairly straightforward task, although it can be a physically demanding one.

Difficulty: ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need:

Wrench
Floor jack
Jack stands
Pliers
Transmission jack

Step 1
Raise the hood of the vehicle and remove each of the bolts that secure the transmission to the back of the engine, using a wrench.
Step 2
Remove the transmission's dipstick tube. The vast majority of Fords have the dipstick tube located on the passenger's side of the engine. At the top of the dipstick tube is a bracket, which is held to the side of the engine with a single bolt. Remove the bolt with a wrench, then pull the dipstick tube straight up to remove it.
Step 3
Raise the back of the vehicle with a floor jack, then place a single jack stand underneath each axle housing. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands.
Step 4
Disconnect the driveshaft from the differential, then pull the driveshaft out of the transmission. The back end of the driveshaft, meaning the end which faces towards the back of the vehicle, is secured to the center of the differential with two U-bolts. Each U-bolt is held in place with two nuts. Remove all four nuts with a wrench, then pull each U-bolt out of the tip of the driveshaft. Lower the driveshaft to the ground, then pull it towards the back of the vehicle to disconnect it from the transmission.
Step 5
Access the transmission from underneath the vehicle, and disconnect the shift linkage and the speedometer cable from the driver's side of the transmission. The shift linkage is held in place with either a single nut and bolt combination, or a metal clip. Remove the nut and bolt with a wrench, or pull the metal clip away from the assembly with a pair of pliers, then pull the linkage away from the transmission. At the tip of the speedometer cable, where the cable enters the transmission, is an integral nut. Loosen the nut with a wrench, then pull the cable out of the transmission.
Step 6
Remove the starter motor from the passenger's side of the transmission, where the transmission meets the engine. The starter is held in place with two bolts. Remove the bolts with a wrench, then pull the starter away from the transmission to remove it.
Step 7
Place a transmission jack underneath the bottom of the transmission, then raise the jack until it rests securely against the transmission.
Step 8
Disconnect the transmission's cross member from the vehicle's frame, then remove the transmission. Each of the crossmember's two ends attach to the frame of the vehicle with a nut and bolt combination. Remove the nuts with a wrench, then pull the bolts out of the crossmember. Raise the floor jack slightly, then pull the transmission with the floor jack towards the back of the vehicle to disconnect it from the engine and to complete the removal.