Anyone ever had to check their flexplate?

Hey there, exactly what the title says. I think I'm having flexplate symptoms, just wondering if anyone's ever checked/replaced theirs. Some vehicles have easy-access panels to check torque, but some vehicles you can't get to it unless you pull the trans.

Symptoms I'm having are very slight shudder in neutral, and there's a definite shudder when I turn off the engine. Also, I think I can hear it, especially right when I hit the accelerator as I'm passing 1500RPM.. but hard to say, it could just be tacoma tick.

 

Haven't really heard of flexplate issues with the tacoma's. Now my old chevy k5 is a different story. You could here the torque converter bolts whenever they got loose. One day i shined a flashlight up there and saw a crack about 3 inches long on the flexplate. But that was an old 700r4 transmission, it was to be expected!

I've had 3 tacomas now, 1 being auto with over 130k on it when i sold it. No flexplate issues/symptoms. Does it have any rattle or noise? or mimic an exhaust leak?

 

There is a small access cover where you can get to the bolts to attach the Torque Converter to the flex plate.

I have never seen a vehicle that you have to pull the transmission to get at the flex plate bolts. How would that even work?

 

good question.

 

yeah, I misunderstood something I read about flexplate issues. I have limited experience with automatics. Thanks for the help. There is a bit of rattling, but I'm fairly sure it's an exhaust leak. I'm replacing stock manifolds with stainless magnaflow ones as soon as my DT ypipe shows up. If it still makes noise I'll check the flexplate.

 

also worth mentioning my truck is getting up around the 130k mile mark. I just bought it last July with about 120k on it.

 

If the flex plate is cracked it will rattle like crazy and change sounds in and out of gear and switching from forward to reverse.

 

My son's (new to him) 08 AC, auto, 4x4 with 102k has these exact symptoms. Anyone know of a diy for changing the flex plate?

 

Determined a DIY for this was going to be too difficult to perform my garage, without a lift. Sent it to the local 4x4 shop. They just called, confirmed flex plate cracked in 3 places. $700 repair for a $25 used part . Had them replace the rear main seal while they were in there.

 

Tranny and torque converter will have to be removed to access the flex plate.