Flexplate Failure

[95TwinTT]

Here is something you guys might find interesting. I dropped the 4L80e today to replace the front seal. It had started leaving some spots on the driveway.

Turns out the flexplate was cracked all around the bolts holding it to the crank. That had caused it to run slightly off center, which wore a path in the collar on the Torque Converter. That in turn was the reason the front seal was not happy.

The good news is it was caught before a catastrophic failure.

Anyway, I know a lot of you guys are constantly looking for more power. Just thought I would point out that there are consequences as you get further and further up the chart.

They will have to cut open the TC and replace the front collar and make sure all else is OK inside. This TC has three clutch plates for lock up, so there are some extra things going on.

There are aftermarket flexplates that are thicker, but they are known to not run true. I will be replacing it with a stock GM flex plate and just plan on replacing it every two years as a maintenance routine.

Anyway, just thought I would share for those that think they are the only ones with problems……….

 

[AtomicHoe094]

damn sonn. Thats no good. how bad is the converter?

 

[95TwinTT]

damn sonn. Thats no good. how bad is the converter?

My transmission guy said, no big deal. Midwest Converter’s will cut it open on Monday and weld in a new front collar. They will check out all the other goodies while it’s apart.

I was going to have them adjust the stall speed, while we had it out, but I had not gathered the info they needed to make the changes.

Good thing I didn’t try, because it was probably one more cycle of the “trans brake” away from blowing it apart.

Everything was working perfect, I only expected to pop a seal in and slap it back together. The bushing also needs to be replaced that is just inside the front of the trans.

I’m just glad I found out about it this way rather than having it blow, while making some juvenile maneuver on the open road.

 

[961500]

Went through this about two years back. Had a horble vibration checked everything found the cracked flexplate much the same way except I was going a higher stall converter. Went a b&m with no issues as of yet!

 

[retorq]

My Camaro did that, messed up the internals pretty bad, wouldn't shift out of Park eventually.

 

[95TwinTT]

I’m hoping I caught it soon enough. The only symptom I had was a slight leak from the front seal.

I should get the news from the converter guys by Tuesday at the latest.

 

[961500]

Good luck hopefully the 4l80 will prove to be as strong as we say it is.

 

[961500]

What's the update del???

 

[95TwinTT]

The Converter guys just received my problem TC this morning. Not sure how soon they can get at it, but hope it is with in a day or two. They are very fast once they start on something.

Flexplate was ordered from GM this morning. I was hoping to be going together on Wednesday, but it could drag on a bit longer. I’m at the mercy of the suppliers.

 

[961500]

True very true God bless part suppliers!