Flexplate of the month club..almost!

[phantomracer]

A while back had an issue with a bad Flexplate(orig post here).

It just failed again! I assume it is the flexplate. Just towed to the shop. Just stopped running. sounded like a tin can rolling around in the bell housing.

I do pull a boat (3500# or so) somewhat frequently and for long distances. I know these trucks are tough, but is this an achilles heel? The shop owner said he never replaced a flexplate twice on a rover ever. Once maybe, but not twice.

Is there an upgraded part for this somewhere?

At least it will be a good time to chuck the shift interlock for the xfer case (I cant shift out of high). I have put off doing that for a while..now is a good time since the xfer case will be out.

Paul

 

[phantomracer]

Just got the truck back to the shop, the flexplate was destroyed..and the trans pump was damaged (not sure which caused which) The shaft on the trans was 3/16 inch off where it should be and was preloading the flexplate. Even though there was no knowin issue with the trans, the shop installed a known good used trans, and it is good to go!

Went back together great

They also ripped out the xfer case shift interlock (couldn't shift out of high) and that was fixed too..finally!

New transmission feels 'tighter' and seems to shift crisper (if that makes any sense). So maybe the transmission was gone.

I'll tell ya, it is nice to find a shop that trys to fix the problem, not the symptom. No doubt a dealer would have put a new flexplate in and sent me on my way! He wanted to know WHY it failed. Since things were not lining up as he expected...and didn't want to do it again, put a new box in. Not crazy about the cost (not too bad actually) but glad to know he took the time to troublshoot it.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

I would shoot a e-mail to dave ashcroft on this, ashcroft transmission in the UK has a great reputation for having a complete knowledge of these and plenty of expierience to maybe have come across this.

I have never heard of this but would guess that the trans must be misaligned and loading the flexplate causing it to flex and cycle and then fail. the fact that it has happened twice would have me looking for casting problem at the bell housing first because that is what holds the transmission in relation to the engine block...but thats just a guess.

 

[phantomracer]

The shop was in contact with a rover trans rebuilding specialist in the area..and determinted something is happening..and it wasn't on the motor end. They figured something like you said.. and since the pump was damaged, the torque converter had issues..wasn't worth repairing the box.

Since it 'feels' better, I feel a lot more comfortable pulling our boat and stuff.

 

[davidz]

it happens when the dowel pins are missing that aligns the engine and transmission.
seen it on a Rover tdi, and a Hino diesel engine. handfull of other gassers.

 

[ashtrans]

Hi,

I would go agree with Thom and Davidz,

flexplates fail when the engine and tranny are too far out of alignment either due to machining errors or dowels missing,

The check this, what we used to do on TDi conversions was to remove the bellhousing and fit it to the engine, fit a DTI mag mount on the crank and check the run out on the bellhousing ID location diameter, you are looking for no more than 5 thou run out any more and the flexplate will fail, if it was over 5 thou you need to mark what direction and how far you need to move it, remove the bellhousing, clock it up on a mill and remachine the dowel holes in the right place and fit some stepped dowels,

 

[MUSKYMAN]

The check this, what we used to do on TDi conversions was to remove the bellhousing and fit it to the engine, fit a DTI mag mount on the crank and check the run out on the bellhousing ID location diameter, you are looking for no more than 5 thou run out any more and the flexplate will fail, if it was over 5 thou you need to mark what direction and how far you need to move it, remove the bellhousing, clock it up on a mill and remachine the dowel holes in the right place and fit some stepped dowels,

Wow thats some great info there!!

I am getting ready to do a outside the box swap that I will use this technique to make sure I get it right!!

thanks for the procedure Dave

Thom