Flex-plate replacement? Costs? Anyone?

*ernzo* · 10-26-2008, 08:19 PM

I will be replacing my flex-plate, I am not sure I can or want to do it myself.

92 EX w/ 4ald.

I will get the updated plate and the recommended spacer, and other parts I need?

Lastly, if I do not do it, what does a job like this cost? $300-$500?

I have been known to do jobs like this, but my shade-tree is getting mighty thin.......yup....mighty thin.

Thanks!!

E

**BrooklynBay** · 10-26-2008, 08:23 PM

They are between $40-$75. You have the 6 hole plate, and spacer. I would recommend the Sonnax billet steel spacer over the OEM powdered iron. Get a new rear main seal at this time too.

**RangerX** · 10-26-2008, 08:53 PM

Why are you replacing it?

*ernzo* · 10-29-2008, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the tip on the spacer, I did read that and will make sure I get the right one.

I understand that the Ford dealer has the updated plates?

Any idea on cost, I live in Denver and am concerned about where to go so I don't get a "tranny shop" hustle laid on me!!

The concerted opinion is I have a cracked flexplate causing the knocking noise I have been tracking. I am doing the inspection this weekend through the starter motor.

The thing is the noise is getting worse, and I need to get this done before I get burned!

**BrooklynBay** · 10-29-2008, 01:11 PM

It might only be the spacer, and not the actual plate which is cracked.

*ernzo* · 11-01-2008, 10:52 AM

I is not the flex-plate, but it cost me $400 to find that out. I did get a new rear main seal, and a new flex-plate, but the old one was fine, it turns out.

In fact, everything looked fine - plate, spacer, TC etc. Yikes.

Hoping that it 'may' have been something, I drove away fingers crossed. After about 20 minutes, there is was, the telltale 'knock'.

So, I am left with Rod, main bearing, oil pump, or maybe harmonic balancer( I had one of these go out and it made a slap / knock sound)

Ideas? Pity?

*Cobraguy* · 11-02-2008, 08:53 AM

It sounds to me you went in and told them to replace the flex plate. Next time, tell them to diagnose or fix the knock. That way, if they replaced the plate and it didn't fix it, you aren't liable for the repairs.

10-26-2008, 08:19 PM	#1
ernzo Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1992 Explorer 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 154 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Flex-plate replacement? Costs? Anyone? I will be replacing my flex-plate, I am not sure I can or want to do it myself. 92 EX w/ 4ald. I will get the updated plate and the recommended spacer, and other parts I need? Lastly, if I do not do it, what does a job like this cost? $300-$500? I have been known to do jobs like this, but my shade-tree is getting mighty thin.......yup....mighty thin. Thanks!! E __________________ 91 Explorer Stock w/D4 4.0 - auto - 1978 Dodge B300 High top Camper 49 Dodge Roadster Convertible

10-26-2008, 08:23 PM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,809 Vehicle Specs	They are between $40-$75. You have the 6 hole plate, and spacer. I would recommend the Sonnax billet steel spacer over the OEM powdered iron. Get a new rear main seal at this time too. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-26-2008, 08:53 PM	#3
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Omao, Kauai '93 Ranger XLT 4X4 Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 7,230 Vehicle Specs	Why are you replacing it? __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 "Beauty is only sheet metal deep."

10-29-2008, 09:55 AM	#4
ernzo Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1992 Explorer 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 154 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the tip on the spacer, I did read that and will make sure I get the right one. I understand that the Ford dealer has the updated plates? Any idea on cost, I live in Denver and am concerned about where to go so I don't get a "tranny shop" hustle laid on me!! The concerted opinion is I have a cracked flexplate causing the knocking noise I have been tracking. I am doing the inspection this weekend through the starter motor. The thing is the noise is getting worse, and I need to get this done before I get burned! __________________ 91 Explorer Stock w/D4 4.0 - auto - 1978 Dodge B300 High top Camper 49 Dodge Roadster Convertible

10-29-2008, 01:11 PM	#5
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,809 Vehicle Specs	It might only be the spacer, and not the actual plate which is cracked. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

11-01-2008, 10:52 AM	#6
ernzo Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1992 Explorer 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 154 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Bummed I am... I is not the flex-plate, but it cost me $400 to find that out. I did get a new rear main seal, and a new flex-plate, but the old one was fine, it turns out. In fact, everything looked fine - plate, spacer, TC etc. Yikes. Hoping that it 'may' have been something, I drove away fingers crossed. After about 20 minutes, there is was, the telltale 'knock'. So, I am left with Rod, main bearing, oil pump, or maybe harmonic balancer( I had one of these go out and it made a slap / knock sound) Ideas? Pity? __________________ 91 Explorer Stock w/D4 4.0 - auto - 1978 Dodge B300 High top Camper 49 Dodge Roadster Convertible