Do I need a new flex plate?

For about the past year or so my 2004 V6 Auto has been making a grinding/crunching noise while starting. On Friday my starter went out. Tried to start it and nothing, then tried a few more times and now the starter just spins but doesn’t engage. I got the starter out last night and decided to take a look at my flywheel as that crunching noise I mentioned upon start up has me a bit worried. This is my flex plate just looking from where the starter mounts. How does it look? Also is there a way to inspect more of the flex plate? Thanks in advance.

 

Yeah, that doesn't look right. Looks pretty torn up to me. The only way to see more of it is to separate the trans from the engine.

FWIW, I have one for sale that is in good shape.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flex-plate-drive-plate-for-a340f-trans.670514/

 

what do you think would cause something like that?

 

I would guess the starter not engaging correctly.

 

Do you think it’s bad enough that I need to replace it now or can I get away with it for a bit?

 

Hard to say. How long is a 'bit'? Any replacement starter is unlikely to engage correctly and will get torn up and probably finish off the flex plate too.

I think I would want to address it now rather than wait. If the plate breaks or comes apart, not only will it leave you stranded, it might also damage other parts in the process.

 

Yeah you’re probably right... just in a little bit of denial here because I really don’t want to replace a flex plate haha. Thanks for your response.

 

Worse case it breaks a tooth off which causes things to jam.

In the worst possible place .

Then gets so out of balance it breaks the bolts and takes off like a saw blade

 

no need to inspect any more of it, it needs to be replaced and if you keep using it the starter will need replacing too.

 

the starter needs to be replaced anyway. You’re right though, I will replace the flex plate.

 

Does anyone know what a ballpark cost for a flex plate replacement on these trucks is?

it’s not really something I would want to tackle in my garage with jackstands and basic hand tools or else I would do it.

 

I would guess you're looking at 1,000-1,500$ in parts and labor to drop the transmission replace starter, clutch flex plate, rear main seals since they're in there, etc. That said it depends on the shop, what all ends up needing replaced, and the quality of parts you have installed.

 

look in the other Forums on this site and see if there is a Tacoma group in your area... no better reason to meet new people and pick their brains on who they use.

 

I paid about $300 for the OEM parts. That includes new mounting bolts and a rear main seal. To do all this, either the engine has to be pulled or the transmission has to be dropped. That is where most of the labor cost is going to come from.

 

That’s a great idea. Thank you.

 

The real Question is what caused it to happen??

What will keep it from happening again?

Was the starter installed wrong ?

It is not the difficult of a Job lots of grunt work to me the hardest part is getting the cooler lines off.

Might be a good time for transmission Service.

 

I'm gonna tell you right now you're gonna need a really long extension for the top 2 bolts on the trans to remove. Its a pita but can be done. Def replace rear main while you're there. I do have a extra flex plate if you need it

 

Do they put shims in from factory? Maybe one got left out. looks to me like it's a little too much to one side. Just asking for a friend lol

 

that’s what I’m worried about. The starter that was on it was oem so either it hasn’t been replaced or someone replaced it with a Toyota starter. Trucks got 260k miles on it so idk how long these starters usually last, but it could’ve been replaced and not done properly.