jhc7399

Ye Ol' Cherokee

You better hope so ... lol

Yes it does, but there is no guarantee.

Take off the inspection cover, and re tighten the bolts, and... well, here, look at this

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...ocking-125547/

Make sure you check for cracks too

jhc7399

Sorry, didn't get to finish this, had to take care of things going on in the house.

This only does this on cold start, once it warms up or I start driving it runs smooth as silk.

cruiser54

Straightshooterjeeps cracked flexplate diagnosis

I removed 3 of the 4 bolts.

Then loosened the last bolt about half way.... I left this one in to maintain connection between the tq and the plate. Just so I wouln't have to fiddle with putting bolts back in too much.

Now the flexplate is pretty much seperate from the torque converter.

Got my flashlight pointed up in there

Grabbed a big flathead screwdriver and started prying on the flexplate

Don't see anything yet

Turn the flexplate a half rotation

Pry again

and there it is! A big fat crack up near the center of the plate.

When the flexplate is loose from the torque converter you can get it to "flex" real good and you just might be able to spot your crack.

Just to be sure you do have one before dissasembly.

It was very obvious at this point, but before pulling those bolts I looked and looked and could never see a crack.

Hope this helps save someone a little time.

RoyL

Not to hi-jack the thread, but add thanks for this great advice, would have saved me some time and can do on your own without removing the trans to confirm. The cracks I had were "hiding" right around the center.
Here's a warranty warning that comes with the flexplate. I had a bad motor mount as well.

“This warranty is voided if flexplate assy broken around the crankshaft and/or the torque converter bolt hole pattern.
Reduce failure. Check engine/transmission mounts, be sure they are supporting the drive train properly.”

cruiser54

Glad to hear it helped!! Thanks for the post.

Oh, and BTW, I stole your photo...............

CCKen

Me too. Tee Hee

67 GMC

Why did I have to open this post??!!

I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?

Thanks

CCKen

You need to pull the transmission bud. Sorry.

F1Addict

LOL.

Loose bolts are more common than cracks. Take the cover off, check the bolts. If they're loose, tighten them then follow Cruiser/straightshooterjeep's advice and give it a pry.

CCKen

28 ft./lbs. torque.

67 GMC

Thanks for the replies. I have absolutely no luck on this kind of thing. I bet it won't be just loose bolts. If there's a chance the worst has happened, that's my story. Real life example: Wife wants a new sink faucet. I buy the faucet and notice that the drain leaks. I pull the pipe to fix the drain and notice the cabinet bottom is rotten. I get a new cabinet. I move the old cabinet, the floor is rotten, I lift up the floor, the joist is bad too. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

cruiser54

Alright Eeyore, go check the bolts.............

67 GMC

Funny-I thought I saw a cloud over my house too-
I will check them but I have to finish the rear diff fluid change first! I was just waiting for the paint to dry on the cover.

cruiser54

Paint will be dry by the time you get done.......................