Flex Plate failure Richmond, VA

[mmendelscfi]

Starting a new thread as it looks like what I have is a Flex Plate failure and not a transmission replacement question.

Long story short, at speed truck made a racket and coasted to side of road.

Motor still running but no power delivered to wheels. Turned off and then starter would just spin but not turn over engine. Looks like complete failure of flex plate.

Is replacing the "flex Plate" fairly straightforward with normal tools and jack stands?

Are there any special alignment type tools required? Or just bolt it on and go ?

Truck is stuck in Richmond, VA so it's about a 15 hour round trip for me to haul it back. Plus the cost of the U-haul truck and trailer.

Any recommendations as to mechanics in the Richmond, VA area appreciated as well. It may just be a bridge too far to get it back home (upstate NY) so may have to have it fixed where it stopped.

Thanks

 

[St Runner]

Replacing the flex plate is a lot cheaper than replacing the transmission but requires almost the same amount of work. There are a good amount of write ups on here and the tacoma sites for transmission removal. You can do it by yourself in your driveway, if you have a good transmission jack and some swivel joints and extensions to get the top transmission bolts out. Its easier than replacing the transmission because you only have to slide the transmission back as far as you can, replace the flex plate and slide the transmission back in. It is still a lot of work especially if you live in a salt state. I swapped out my auto for a 5speed in my driveway by myself without a transmission jack so it certainly can be done

 

[mmendelscfi]

Thanks ST runner.

I got a price from a mechanic in richmond to do the work with the only concern being whats the chance of the Flex Plate breaking and taking out something like the torque converter or damaging other items?

I'm thinking I am going to take a shot and have them replace it.

The irony of it all is that I just bought a parts car last thursday with a good running engine and transmission to harvest some of the emissions parts off of.

Was planning on swapping parts over Thanksgiving break.......

Timing is everything........

 

[Mark_BC]

Replacing the flex plate is a lot cheaper than replacing the transmission but requires almost the same amount of work. There are a good amount of write ups on here and the tacoma sites for transmission removal. You can do it by yourself in your driveway, if you have a good transmission jack and some swivel joints and extensions to get the top transmission bolts out. Its easier than replacing the transmission because you only have to slide the transmission back as far as you can, replace the flex plate and slide the transmission back in. It is still a lot of work especially if you live in a salt state. I swapped out my auto for a 5speed in my driveway by myself without a transmission jack so it certainly can be done

Not to change the topic but do you have a writeup of your transmission swap?

 

[heat]

Thanks ST runner.

I got a price from a mechanic in richmond to do the work with the only concern being whats the chance of the Flex Plate breaking and taking out something like the torque converter or damaging other items?

I'm thinking I am going to take a shot and have them replace it.

The irony of it all is that I just bought a parts car last thursday with a good running engine and transmission to harvest some of the emissions parts off of.

Was planning on swapping parts over Thanksgiving break.......

Timing is everything........

I'd be interested in the shop you use, since I'm in the area.

My one experience with this in a passenger car is that the plate just broke. No other damage.
The converter nose is (was) in the crank, so it didn't move around / cause problems.
Crank bolts were loose on mine.

 

[Nate_GB]

Starting a new thread as it looks like what I have is a Flex Plate failure and not a transmission replacement question.

Long story short, at speed truck made a racket and coasted to side of road.

Motor still running but no power delivered to wheels. Turned off and then starter would just spin but not turn over engine. Looks like complete failure of flex plate.

Is replacing the "flex Plate" fairly straightforward with normal tools and jack stands?

Are there any special alignment type tools required? Or just bolt it on and go ?

Truck is stuck in Richmond, VA so it's about a 15 hour round trip for me to haul it back. Plus the cost of the U-haul truck and trailer.

Any recommendations as to mechanics in the Richmond, VA area appreciated as well. It may just be a bridge too far to get it back home (upstate NY) so may have to have it fixed where it stopped.

Thanks

Pretty straight forward. disconnect front section of driveshaft and disconnect driveshaft support bearing from crossmember. set driveshaft to the side. support transmission. remove transmission rear crossmember and disconnect rear trans mount. disconnect transmission from engine. slide trans down and back. unbolt what is left of flex plate from torque converter. unbolt what is left from flex plate from rear crank mount points. bolt new flex plate to crank. make sure torque converter is fully seated on trans input shaft. mount trans back up to motor. bolt flex plate back to torque converter through inspection plate at lower front bellhousing area. then just proceed with putting everything back that was disconnected/removed.

Pretty straight forward process. Transmission jack will make the job a lot easier. A good selection of ratchet extensions and a universal joint are a must. Just a bit time consuming, especially without a garage to work in.

 

[mmendelscfi]

Will do.

I'm expecting it to be uneventful. Worst case scenario I have to drag it back and get it donw again.

 

[RunnerRnd2]

I'm local, where in richmond is it broke down? I know of a quality mechanic in mechanicsville just outside of richmond

 

[mmendelscfi]

I'm local, where in richmond is it broke down? I know of a quality mechanic in mechanicsville just outside of richmond

Thanks.

We pulled the trigger a couple of days ago on getting it fixed at the place we first got it towed to. We're optimistic it will go well. I'll post a follow-up regarding the experience when we pick it up.

You never know when we might be broken down in Richmond in the future.

The local knowledge always appreciated.

Thanks again,

 

[Nervo19]

I'm local, where in richmond is it broke down? I know of a quality mechanic in mechanicsville just outside of richmond

Would like the name. I live in M'ville too! I usually go to Atlee Auto.

Where did you get it fixed, mmendelscifi??

 

[RunnerRnd2]

Would like the name. I live in M'ville too! I usually go to Atlee Auto.

Where did you get it fixed, mmendelscifi??

Ricks Tire and Auto, the owner and family are very good friends of mine. They're great people and extremely knowledgable when it comes to wrenching.

 

[mmendelscfi]

Would like the name. I live in M'ville too! I usually go to Atlee Auto.

Where did you get it fixed, mmendelscifi??

We got it fixed at a place called AllTune. Don;t know anything about them other than they were open when the truck needed to be towed.

They actually finished the job ahead of schedule. We thought it would push out until next week but they had it ready in 2 days. They were reasonable and very easy to work with.

Making plans to pick it up.

 

[Nervo19]

Ricks Tire and Auto, the owner and family are very good friends of mine. They're great people and extremely knowledgable when it comes to wrenching.

Thank you so much. I pass there all the time and they always have a couple of old Toyotas. I always wondered. I'll probably try them out.

All Tune has a couple of locations and I've never heard anything good or bad about them. Getting it done early is always good.

 

[RunnerRnd2]

Thank you so much. I pass there all the time and they always have a couple of old Toyotas. I always wondered. I'll probably try them out.

All Tune has a couple of locations and I've never heard anything good or bad about them. Getting it done early is always good.

They won't let you down! they also have quite a bit of experience working on lifted vehicles.

 

[mmendelscfi]

Just picked it up. They also replaced the rear main seal while they were in there.

I thought that was a nice touch and had I thought about it I would have asked to do that anyway just because.

Nothing but good things to say about Dave and AllTune.

I appreciate this forum. Always good advice.


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[02'3GT4R]

Did this fix it? Did the problem happen again? Just had this happen to me the other day. Looking for answers.