Checking your Flex Plate(Drive Plate)

[lazza44]

I have a vns2 auto and i'm getting a vp tranny (160,000kms) installed in my car tomorrow. mines done about 300,000kms and is starting to play up. anyway I just want to know if you can check the condition of the flex plate without taking the transmission off. This is because I have been suss on it making a noise for a while and I wont have time to purchase a new one while the tranny is being replaced.

any help?...... cheers

[PaRaDoX]

yep... you can,

the starter motor has a opening to the flywheel/flexplate/driveplate,

you can see in and see the health of your tread...

to do it you need to remove the passengerside headers, spark plugs, jack the side of the car up and use car stands please, its a must... remove air pipe and pretty much just unbolt the starter motor (will have 3 bolts)then unwire it...

after all that grab a torch and look in on your flywheel...mine has a fair bit of wear on it

give me a pm if u need more detailed instructions

[lazza44]

thanks mate, I might take a chance and hope mine's OK.....im over taking the headers off

I might have to take the tranny off again though.

[lazza44]

I would also like to see where the bolts holes are cause apparently thats where the cracks usually are.

[maginoodle]

I would also like to see where the bolts holes are cause apparently thats where the cracks usually are.

you can check the ring gear and the bolt surrounds on the torque converter bolts by taking the inspection cover off. put the car on ramps and have a look at the front of the tranny, there is a cover with about 4-6 bolts(from memory its been a while) undo them bolts and take that cover off.
you wont be able to check the bolts that hold the flex plate to the crank like this cause you wont be able to see them.

[PaRaDoX]

yeah, to check the bolts on the flex plate you need the transmission out of the car

[lazza44]

I put it on ramps but it look like to much of a hassle to take off the inspection cover. U would need to take off the rack and possibly otherthings aswell. cheers guys.

[PaRaDoX]

yeah, but isnt removing the inspection plate messy???? probbly easier

[lazza44]

Yeh there was a fair bit of gunk down there.

[maginoodle]

its gotta come off to change the tranny. if you clean the area the mechanic wont have to, so you wont get the extra labour costs. if you got a quote you wont have any extra charges anyway.

[lazza44]

Its all done, the flex plate was fine but the tranny mount was missing one bolt and the other was loose!! The starter motor cable (the one going to the battery) was touching metal, very dangerous.