2000 2.7 Flexplate issues

OK guys and gals, I have been having flexplate issues on my Prerunner with a 2.7L. It broke on me about a year ago and I had it replaced. The guy used an aftermarket flexplate and it didn't last 3 months. He replaced it under warranty but I furnished a Toyota flexplate. This time it lasted about 6 months. When it went out last time (3 months ago) I had the transmission rebuilt. Now once again it is cracked and will need replacing soon. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

I can think of a couple of things off the top of my head. There is a spacer plate that goes on the end of the crankshaft, then the flex plate and then the spreader plate. If the spacer plate is missing that might cause the flex plate to be distorted when the torque convertor bolts are tightened. If the flex plate is installed backwards... not 100% sure if the flex plate is symmetrical or offset. The third is too much crankshaft end play. The final thing that I can think of is either the trans bell housing is bent or it does not sit flush against the back of the engine block due to a bent separator plate or the alignment dowels don't allow the bell housing to be pulled all the way down flush. If the bell housing does not sit flush against the block every revolution of the crank forces the flex plate to flex a little and after a while the metal just fatigues.

 

has the torque converter been inspected to make sure its not the issue? a converter thats not true on all 6 mount locations can crack a plate in short order. other potential issues can be cause from the spacers between the flex and crank. as stated above.

 

Thanks for the responses. The transmission has been rebuilt with a new torque convertor. I bought new spacers and flexplate from Toyota. The case looked fine and it is tight to the motor. How would I check for end play in the crankshaft. It seems if that is what is causing it I could see the movement at the front pulley.

 

This happened to me. My torque converter was warped and uneven, causing premature failure to the flex plate.

 

About 4000 miles after trans rebuild with new convertor, flex plate and spacers it has cracked again. What is the proper location for the spacers, thick one towards engine or torque convertor?

 

I am thinking this is much more that a crank end play issue, you would have other problems like spun rod bearings by now…

obviously the torque converter is being fully installed on the trans so I am wondering, how far forward do you have to pull the converter to mate it with the flex plate? This is truly, truly bizarre. Do all of the mounting ears sit flush with the flex plate or do some of them have to be “drawn in” with the torque converter bolts? No insult intended, do you finger tighten the first bolt, rotate the motor, install the second finger tight, rotate, then the next and so on?

 

Yes, I don't think that this has anything to do with crank end play. I started it up and had someone rev the motor while I was under it and everything looked smooth, no type of wobble or movement. As for the installation goes, I had someone do this for me, I'm a little too old to be trying to pull a tranny out while laying on my back. I'm starting to think that maybe the 1st guy that did it might have mixed the spacers and then the trouble began. The 1st flexplate had about 440,000 miles on it so it could have just been the wear and tear on it.

 

I understand the too old thing… like I tell my brothers grandkids, at my age it is small victories, lots of small victories.