Flex Plate !!!again!!!

rock04max · 03-10-2008, 09:18 AM

This weekend coming back from L-cross i was towing a 36ft gooseneck with two trucks total weight was 23,500lb. The trip back home(miami) was about 1hr.50min. I was averaging about 73mph. When i got about 60 miles from home i started doing 80 to 84mph. At about 5 miles from home my flex plate was cracked. I know this is my stupidity. Can i Install a billet flywheel and eliminate the flex plate. Someone told me yes but, it is a pain to bolt up the T.C. and flywheel. I know banks makes a flywheel and ATS makes the flexplate. Can someone explain, because they look the same. THANKS

**05_LLY** · 03-10-2008, 11:24 AM

They are the same, Manuals use flywheels and autos use flex plates, thats the way i was always tought anyhow! The dmax uses a two peice type flex plate with a peice you could call a flywheel, it dose nothing more than balance the engine and provide the gear for the starter. The ATS bilit flex plate will cure your problem but i would want to know what is breaking them? What type of converter are you running?

duramaxin14 · 03-10-2008, 11:36 AM

Do not put a ats flexplate on your truck. The whole FLEX means it needs to flex ats is soild i have broken 2 flex plates also. On my 3rd one i tryed this

U have 6 allen heads holding your flex plate and fly wheel to the back of the crank take out ever other one i have done that and have not broken my flex plate yet. fingers are crossed though.

**05_LLY** · 03-10-2008, 12:16 PM

You are saying that you are putting almost 600 fwhp to the transmission with only 3 bolts????

rock04max · 03-10-2008, 02:08 PM

I would be kind of scared only using 3 bolts. Keep in mind im trying to achieve a goal people say is stupid of me. To me there is a rush towing heavy at a speed where you pass fords towing motorcycles. If i eliminate the flex part of it. What else can break? I'd rather have to replace a drive shaft or axle before dropping the tranny.

My idea of why it is breaking is: The plate or fly wheel was not balanced or maybe it wasnt installed correctly by the dealer in defuniak springs because i got a little woble on the T.C. At a high speed with so much weight there is constant pressure. Plus shiftting into gears transfers to much for that tin looking plate to hold. SORRY ABOUT THAT INFO. I'M RUNNING A SUNCOAST CONV. I WIIL UPDATE MY PROFILE SOON. THANKS GUYS.

rock04max · 03-10-2008, 02:32 PM

If the fly wheel and flex pl. are the same why are they sold seperatly and not manufactured as one? If u go to the dealer and ask for a fly whl. thats what you get there is no flex plate. The flex plate to a dealer is an extra part.

**KSL667** · 03-10-2008, 05:17 PM

say, when your flexplate cracked, how did you know? i have got a wierd vibration coming from my 2004.5 lly.

**Landscapeman** · 03-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05_LLY

They are the same, Manuals use flywheels and autos use flex plates, thats the way i was always tought anyhow! The dmax uses a two peice type flex plate with a peice you could call a flywheel, it dose nothing more than balance the engine and provide the gear for the starter. The ATS bilit flex plate will cure your problem but i would want to know what is breaking them? What type of converter are you running?

He is right Flex plates are for autos and flywheel is for man.

rock04max · 03-10-2008, 08:26 PM

I expirienced a very poor customer tech. edicacy. Since I was not 100% sure he made me feel like a complete idiot. No bad words but, sarcasm that you would use in a marital argument.

This happened when i called to get a little more info about flex plates or fly wheels. THANKS GUYS. WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME IS.

rock04max · 03-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSL667

say, when your flexplate cracked, how did you know? i have got a wierd vibration coming from my 2004.5 lly.

The first time it sounded like a really exagerated loud rod knock. Everything about the truck changes. When it shifts its more of a smooth non power shift, deceleration is diff. and etc... You can take off the inspection plate at the bottm of the trans. and with a med. screw driver you stick threw the little slotted hole about 4-5 inches toward the eng. if you work it side to side looking for the teeth you will be able to turn the fly-wheel and look at the plate.(carefully) sometimes their very small but under any load it will be noticed. Good luck.