I found a flexplate. I was told pulling the motor is the easiest way of replacing the flexplate.

Any opinions? advice?

 

Well you can pull the engine and have to take everything attached to it apart or just pull the t-case and transmission.. I would say if you dont have a lift - pull the engine.

 

I am looking and thinking that dropping the transfer case then tranny would be easier than pulling motor.

I dont have an engine hoist......179 to buy, 229 to rent for a week.

Has anybody dropped a transmission/

 

I found an engine hoist from a club member.....SO I guess Ill be pulling the motor.

 

Be careful removing the hex keyed bolts that secure a portion of the plate to the crank. You don't want to strip them. You'll need to get creative with a crow bar to help with leverage unless you have a very powerful compressor and Snap On impact sockets. When you have the engine out you'll see what I mean.

 

I am hoping this situation wont be ther as the motor was rebuilt last year, When installed the PO told me he may have bent the flexplate....VIOLA he did.

 

Thanks to a board memeber here I was able to pull down all the instructions to pull motor. Seems simple. Just a PITA.

I figure this bent flex plate may have been the source of the knocking or rattling sound I have had since purchased.

 

I had a '96 DI a long time ago. It had a recently installed motor (from Land Rover) and rebuilt transmission. It soon developed a rattle, not unlike what you would expect from a cat with a broken up matrix. I drove it for awhile and the rattle got more regular until one day the truck stalled and wouldn't start. The problem was the serrated ring attached to the flex plate. It's there for the crank sensor to get its readings. It's only riveted in place. The sound I had been hearing was the sound of that ring slowly deforming and ultimately detaching from the flex plate. It was visible through the inspection cover on the front of the bell housing but any repairs required removal of the engine.

Good luck.

 

That is exactly my story. I think it started with a bent flex plate the PO bent while installing the motor. he lightly mentioned it when I purchased the car.
Well I will feel better about the car knowing what the noise has been. it s obvious now.

 

Yea I think I may have the same issue haha