TC, flex plate, transmission?

greenskeeper

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This is on my 97 PSD

Started out with a grinding noise only in P R D 2 or 1. No noise in neutral.

Now I've got a horribly loud grinding noise in all gears, so loud that I am thinking it is eternal to the transmission or torque converter. So I am thinking flex plate?

The truck drives and shifts fine, although I'm not driving it anymore until I figure out what that noise is.

If I pull the inspection cover will I be able to see most of the flex plate while rotating the engine by hand?
 

greenskeeper

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video from this morning with inspection cover removed

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trythis

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video from this morning with inspection cover removed

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It is hard to tell what you got going on there is the flywheel flexplate wobbling? And can you see the crank at all?

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trythis

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It is hard to tell what you got going on there is the flywheel flexplate wobbling? And can you see the crank at all?

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo maxx(XT1955DL) using Tapatalk
I think you commented on my post about a broken crank looking at your video got me to take another look this morning I think we may have the same problem.

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DaveBen

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Something is not right. Flex plate is broken or ???
 

trythis

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My problem was the starter was touching the flywheel because the bell housing is off and the bolts we're not tight on the ring or flange that holds the starter so the starter would move
But it could be your starter is touching you're starting ring.

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Christian9112

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either the tc nuts are lose or that thing is cracked m8. worst case scenario is that your main bearing is jacked up. does the sound get louder at higher RPMs? its suppose to spin straight
 

greenskeeper

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It is hard to tell what you got going on there is the flywheel flexplate wobbling? And can you see the crank at all?

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo maxx(XT1955DL) using Tapatalk

I believe it's the flex plate moving around. Sometimes there is no noise and other times its a terrible racket.

I can't see the crank as there is a spacer ring between the flexplate and the block. I doubt it is the rear main bearing as the truck has 207k miles and has been maintained well.
 

greenskeeper

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either the tc nuts are lose or that thing is cracked m8. worst case scenario is that your main bearing is jacked up. does the sound get louder at higher RPMs? its suppose to spin straight

TC nuts are tight. I'm leaning towards the flex plate being broken.
 

greenskeeper

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I have seen a video online of removing the transmission about 4" and having enough room to replace the flex plate. Might try it.
 

trythis

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It look in the video like you were able to see the front side of the flexplate I suppose you have already checked the tips of the starter ring on the flexplate for contact with the starter.

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greenskeeper

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It look in the video like you were able to see the front side of the flexplate I suppose you have already checked the tips of the starter ring on the flexplate for contact with the starter.

Sent from my moto g(7) optimo maxx(XT1955DL) using Tapatalk

Yes. I would be nice if it was that easy.

I pulled the truck into the garage, as soon as I gave it any pedal the noise went away. Almost certain it's going to be the flex plate.
 

Christian9112

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get a thicker one and never do it again. the only reason for the flexplate is for the misalignment of the motor and the transmission. you can get away with having a thicker flexplate. it can handle more HP.
 

greenskeeper

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get a thicker one and never do it again. the only reason for the flexplate is for the misalignment of the motor and the transmission. you can get away with having a thicker flexplate. it can handle more HP.

The OEM flexplate lasted 207k miles and 22 years, still stock, so I'll throw another ford flex plate in there.
 

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