possible to replace flexplate w/ tranny in car?

[OneLethal87GN]

After doing some research it seems my rattling problem MAY possibly be a cracked flexplate. It was replaced just a few years ago but stuff happens. If it is the plate then how hard is it to replace? Can it be done with the engine and tranny still in the car? I know there are 3 flywheel to torque convertor bolts and 6 crackshaft bolts that hold it on. I know the torque convertor bolts can be easily taken out but what about the 6 others? The rattling noise sounds like something loose under the car. I thought at first it may be in the engine or torque convertor. After hearing it for a few weeks it doesn't seem to be getting worse and doesn't really vary with RPMs. It simply sounds like something has worked loose and is rattling. It is embarrassing when people are staring at you and you know it's not just the sight of a bad black car that is drawing the attention. Thanks for any input.

 

[gofstbuick]

Well, sort of. You can remove the bolts holding the trans to the engine and install some extra long bolts in the two bottom holes. Then slide the trans back far enough to loosen the flexplate bolts and replace your flexplate. Are you sure your torque converter didn't go bad? Once the flexplate is on the ground, look closely for cracks. I though mine was cracked, but it turned out to be the torque converter. I replaced my flexplate anyway. I have an extra flexplate if you need one (for cheap).

 

[OneLethal87GN]

I'm not sure what's wrong with the car. I know it started making the rattling sound not long after AAMCO rebuilt the tranny. It took so many rebuilds and test drives that I assumed they messed something up in the engine. They drove the car quite hard on several occasions letting several different people have fun with it. Of course you would never get them to admit any wrongdoing. The noise doesn't go up and down with rpms though. That is what puzzled me. I thought at first it was the convertor. I tried doing a burnout to see if it would make the noise any worse but it didn't. After driving the car for a few weeks the noise hasn't gotten any worse. It starts as soon as I crank it up and ends immediately when I turn the engine off. It doesn't die down like it did the time the convertor bolts came loose in my other Regal. This leads me to believe it isn't loose convertor bolts. I will take the convertor cover off when I get a day off to see if anything came off and is lying in the bottom. I will also shake the catalytic convertor shield to see if it is loose as well. The noise isn't getting any worse but is annoying. I'm hoping it is something simple. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[turbofrank]

What type conv do you have. My 10" made noise because bolts
were bottomed out.

 

[Red Regal T]

I don't believe you can change the flexplate with the trans in. If you can slip it in there, your not going to be able to torque the fine thread bolts that hold it in properly. Not that hard to pull the trans and do it right if necessary. I pull my trans and re-install with a floor jack.

 

[GANGSTER]

BY THE TIME YOU MOVE THE TRANS BACK FAR ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE FLEX PLATE YOU MAY AS WELL LOWER IT OUT OF THE WAY AND MAKE IT EASIER ON YOURSELF.

 

[OneLethal87GN]

I've changed the tranny in this car more than once and it's NOT a job I enjoy doing. If it requires the tranny coming out then I will just have to wait. It may not even be the flexplate and I'd hate to pull the tranny for no reason. Besides, with this great warranty I have from AAMCO I believe performing this job would void my warranty.