Flexplate Problems

[godenver]

I have a 1992 Ford Explorer and have had to replace the flex plate 4 times now and have finally figured out how to fix it.

I feel like I should share what I have found so the rest of you won't have to change yours once a year.

The problem is that the center of it cracks out due to not being strong enough. Ford makes a flexplate that is a heavy duty replacement to the original. It is about $120. The flexplates that I had been purchasing were from an auto parts store that were like the original and were not strong enough.

Some of the symptoms that I found that would tell me it was going bad were.
There would be a knocking sound coming from the area around the front of the transmission. Also one of the times that it cracked out it had flexed so much that the started would not engage the teeth to let it start and right before that happened the flexplate was starting to hit the bell housing and making an awful noise of metal grinding against metal.

I am not sure of the Ford part number of the flexplate. If someone would like me to find it I would be glad to dig it up.

I hope this will help out some of you. Also I know that the Ford Rangers around the same year with the 4.0 motors have the same problem.

Take care.

 

[96limitedX]

yeah mine was replaced by the dealer earlyer this year w/the new improved version. 5k miles later shes still good so we'll see what happends.

 

[410Fortune]

yes GO Denver!

this is a common problem with the 91-94 models.

Thanks for sharing! Sorry you had to go through this, 4 times is a PITA.

I have seen 4ea first gen's (91-94) with the broken flex plate.

 

[scott.kregar]

what would the initial sounds appear to sound like. I noticed when I am at speed and gun it I have a metalic rattle from behind the engine around the area the tranny connect (noted with a microphone attached to a cable and placed in various locations till I could as near as possible pinpoint the location)....I thouhgt it might have been the heat shield....but really havent dug around any more...now I am concerned... :{

 

[savagefan]

It will chirp if you jazz the gas in neutral.

 

[pidwermi]

Cracked Flexplate 91 Exp with A4LD auto trans

I have a 1992 Ford Explorer and have had to replace the flex plate 4 times now and have finally figured out how to fix it.

I feel like I should share what I have found so the rest of you won't have to change yours once a year.

The problem is that the center of it cracks out due to not being strong enough. Ford makes a flexplate that is a heavy duty replacement to the original. It is about $120. The flexplates that I had been purchasing were from an auto parts store that were like the original and were not strong enough.

Some of the symptoms that I found that would tell me it was going bad were.
There would be a knocking sound coming from the area around the front of the transmission. Also one of the times that it cracked out it had flexed so much that the started would not engage the teeth to let it start and right before that happened the flexplate was starting to hit the bell housing and making an awful noise of metal grinding against metal.

I am not sure of the Ford part number of the flexplate. If someone would like me to find it I would be glad to dig it up.

I hope this will help out some of you. Also I know that the Ford Rangers around the same year with the 4.0 motors have the same problem.

Take care.

Thank you very much! I have a 91 Exp 4.0 with A4LD trans. Had the same problem, took to AAMCO and they said the clunking noise was not the transmission or torque converter so they were not responsable for it.

They did not even remove the starter to look at the flexplate. If they had they might have avoided damage to the starter gear. A new starter is $220 new $113 reman. A week after taking in for a "diagnosis" metel on metal sounds were serious, and I stopped driving it

Now the same AAMCO franchise owner is telling me the flexplate is cracked, and has eaten up the starter gear. Total time to repair is 7-8 hours, parts $300 for $780.00

I am seaking recourse for failure to diagnose problem early and possible save replacing the starter.

Michael

 

[im_zoo]

cracked flexplate

thank you for the post i too have had 4 broken flexplates was getting ready to sell my explorer because of it. now i dont have to. yeah!!!!:exp:

 

[Itchybruno47]

Flex plate bad symptom

what would the initial sounds appear to sound like. I noticed when I am at speed and gun it I have a metalic rattle from behind the engine around the area the tranny connect (noted with a microphone attached to a cable and placed in various locations till I could as near as possible pinpoint the location)....I thouhgt it might have been the heat shield....but really havent dug around any more...now I am concerned... :{

Mine started making noise when I shut off the engine. Sounded like bottom end noise clanking each revolution and the ting ting ting sound got quieter as the engine stopped.
Flex plate was cracked pretty bad right around the mounting bolts. Still drove fine but the shut down sounds got worse and worse. Changed it out before it completely failed and flew to pieces while in motion.