5R110W TorqShift Filter Kit Ford 6.0L Powerstroke

Own a 6.0L Power Stroke F-250, F-350, F-450 or F-550 built between mid-2003 and 2007, and the transmission behind it is the 5R110W TorqShift. If the fluid has turned dark, the truck has been towing hard since the last service, or you are chasing a slow engagement into Drive, the first job is a complete filter service. This kit covers the whole thing: the internal pan filter, the pan gasket and the external spin-on element that lives in the cooler circuit. That last piece is the one most quick-lube shops skip.

What the two filters do in a 5R110W

The early TorqShift was designed with two separate filtration paths. The pan filter is a conventional sump filter: the pump draws every drop of fluid through it before sending it to the solenoid body, the clutches and the converter. The second filter is unusual. According to the original ATSG introduction published by Transmission Digest, the remote filter takes about 10 percent of the fluid through a small orifice, runs it through a screw-on element and returns it to the rear lube circuit. Mike Riley later described it as a bypass design: most cooler oil goes around the element, but the small share that passes through gets very fine filtration, so over a few thousand miles all the fluid is cleaned to that level. Ford said that remote element should be replaced at every service. Change only the pan filter and the fine-filtration side keeps running on a loaded cartridge.

Symptoms of a neglected filter service

• Delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, worst on a cold start
• Pump whine that climbs with engine speed
• Transmission temperature creeping up while towing; Transmission Digest has documented 5R110W overheating cases setting P0218
• Shift flare or soft shifts that came on gradually, before any solenoid codes appear
• Dark, burnt-smelling fluid on the dipstick

How to confirm before you buy anything bigger

Pull the pan and read it. A light gray film on the magnet is normal. Brass flakes, steel slivers or brown friction lining mean a filter change is maintenance, not a cure. If the truck already has stored transmission codes, check them against our 5R110 solenoid symptoms guide first, because a solenoid body fault will not clear with fresh fluid. For engagement complaints specifically, our 5R110W delayed engagement guide walks through the order to check things.

Fitment

This kit is listed for the 5R110W behind the 6.0L Power Stroke in 2003.5-2007 F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks and the 6.0L Excursion. It replaces Motorcraft FT144 and 3C3Z-7B155-BA, with Wix 58624 and 55702 and Premium Guard PT1301 as cross references. Beginning in 2008 Ford dropped the external bypass system and moved to a redesigned sump filter, and Sonnax notes the 2008-later pump was redesigned around that change. So a 2008-2010 6.4L truck is not a match for this kit. If your build date falls near a changeover, match the numbers on your old filters or send us your year and VIN. Every other part we carry for this unit is on the 5R110W parts page.

Install notes

• Warm the fluid, then drop the factory pan. It has no drain plug, so expect a full pan. A 5R110W pan with drain plug makes every future service cleaner.
• Pull the old sump filter straight down and confirm its seal came out with it. Clean the magnet and the case rail before laying the new gasket.
• Spin off the remote cartridge at the cooler circuit, wipe the mounting face and hand-tighten the new element with its seal lightly oiled with fresh ATF.
• The 5R110W was released on Mercon SP, which the ATSG material says is not interchangeable with Mercon or Mercon V. Ford's current fluid chart authorizes Mercon LV for complete refill and top off.
• Ford lists 17.5 quarts total including a remote filter change, but a pan drop only removes part of that. Fill to the dipstick, run through the ranges and check hot. Do not overfill.
• Ford's original interval was fluid and pan filter every 30,000 miles regardless of conditions, with the remote filter changed at the same time.

For the full service picture on this transmission, including fluid, cooler and the pump changes over the years, read our 5R110 TorqShift service guide.

Does this kit fit a 2008-2010 6.4L Power Stroke?

No. Ford eliminated the external bypass filter system starting in 2008 and went to a redesigned sump filter, so the 6.4L trucks take different filters. This kit is for the 2003.5-2007 6.0L trucks and the 6.0L Excursion.

Why do I need to change the external spin-on filter too?

The remote element does the fine filtration on the early 5R110W. Ford called for replacing it at every service along with the pan filter, and a plugged element leaves the fine-filtration path doing nothing.

What fluid should I use?

The 5R110W was specified with Mercon SP, and Ford now authorizes Mercon LV for a complete refill and top off. Do not use Mercon or Mercon V.

How much fluid will I need?

Ford lists 17.5 quarts for a full fill including a remote filter change, but a pan drop leaves the converter and cooler full. Buy enough to refill what came out plus a little extra, and set the level on the dipstick with the fluid hot.

Will a filter service fix slipping?

Only if the slip comes from restricted flow or old fluid. If the pan shows heavy friction material or metal, the clutches are worn and the transmission needs repair. Read the pan before you decide.

Can I reuse the factory pan gasket?

Many techs do if it is undamaged, but a new gasket is in this kit, so there is no reason to gamble on a torn or flattened one.

• Ford 5R110 TorqShift Service Guide: What Every Super Duty Tech Needs to Know
• 5R110 TorqShift Shift Solenoid Symptoms, Testing and Replacement
• 5R110 TorqShift Rebuild Guide: Known Wear Points and Upgrades