Loud Clicking/Clacking/Pinging from A340F Bellhousing [UPDATE: TRUCK IS DEAD]

So rad to see the community built around these trucks helping each other out. Hope it's a simple fix for you, @BartMaster1234

I saw on another post you had close to zero experience before you started working on the Taco, making me feel good about tackling an OME suspension install at some point this year.

 

I fucked up guys. Big time.

I'm currently sitting in a tow truck on the way to the transmission shop.

I was driving about 40 and then I noticed the RPM's jumping mad and I started losing gears one by one until I was left with no gears at all. I barely limped into a parking lot.

I called many shops and they all told me it was the flexplate. I can't even start the truck anymore because I'm guessing the flexplate imploded.

Don't be impatient like me when you hear a noise and keep driving your truck. You will pay dearly.

I was quoted $1,300 to do the flexplate.

 

Bummer man, too bad you aren't closer, I'd have done it for a six pack and parts cost

 

Bummer indeed. Thank you for the offer though.

I'm just going to eat the cost. I don't want to remove this transmission again, I'd rather have people who know what they are doing fix it rather than me.

 

Speechless here .
So the flex plate is toast or there is a converter issue ?

 

It's toast. I described it to the mechanic and he told me it's the flexplate. Truck won't even start anymore.

 

It might even be the transmission itself I won't know until Monday.

 

Did the second hand trans come from the same size engine ?

 

Exact same engine. 3RZ 2.7l - It came out of a '99 and I have a '98.

 

Not starting implies that the ring gear on the flex plate is faulty , With that said , its very possible the flex plate could be broken

 

The guy I talked to immediately suspected it was the flexplate when I described what happened. I got there and I told him I tried starting it but it won't crank and he said it's definitely the flex plate but they'll call me Monday and confirm.

There was transmission fluid dripping from the bellhousing so maybe the torque converter imploded too.

 

Ouch !!!
This is not going to be wallet friendly $$$ . Its going to be very expensive
Converter , transmission pump , flywheel , plus labor
Any chances you want to take another stab at removal ?

 

I don't trust myself anymore, I'd rather pay the money and have people who know what they're doing tackle it than I. Don't want this to happen to me again.

I had some money set aside for a new paint job, guess I'll just go without it.

 

Sorry dude , your recording sounded sooooo much like a flywheel rubbing against the dust plate , I thought you might get lucky and simply straighten the alluminum plate and be on your way .
Didnt think the flex plate could go that long making the sound in your recording .
I am in to hear what they find

 

I'm just wondering what I did wrong. I have no idea.

 

I mean you did good putting the 4wd in yes? mistakes happen. learn and live with it, it's part of the game! although it sucks when big things happen, take it apart see what happened and try it agian. if this isn't your primary driver I would take it apart myself and fix it. sounds like you are pritty good at researching, learning and reading. $1300 will go a long way if you do it yourself.
just my $0.02

 

This is my daily driver so I can't go without it, I don't trust myself doing something like this again. You're right I'm losing all that money but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing people who know what they're actually doing took a stab at it.

 

at this point , i am thinking the converter wasnt into the transmission pump all the way . There is a pilot hole in the crankshaft that needs to be cleaned with emery cloth and then greased . Once the transmission bellhousing is bolted up , the converter bolts need to jiggle in their respective holes in the flex plate.
When I told you i listened to the video , I trusted that the converter was installed correctly .

 

I drove the truck for a good two days and it drove fine... could that be the issue?

 

If they find torque converter probs I'd just supply the one from your old tranny rather than buy an new one