Does this sound like the loose flywheel rattle?
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
You better hope so ... lol
Yes it does, but there is no guarantee.
Take off the inspection cover, and re tighten the bolts, and... well, here, look at this
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...ocking-125547/
Make sure you check for cracks too
Yes it does, but there is no guarantee.
Take off the inspection cover, and re tighten the bolts, and... well, here, look at this
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...ocking-125547/
Make sure you check for cracks too
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 539
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sorry, didn't get to finish this, had to take care of things going on in the house.
This only does this on cold start, once it warms up or I start driving it runs smooth as silk.
This only does this on cold start, once it warms up or I start driving it runs smooth as silk.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Straightshooterjeeps cracked flexplate diagnosis
I removed 3 of the 4 bolts.
Then loosened the last bolt about half way.... I left this one in to maintain connection between the tq and the plate. Just so I wouln't have to fiddle with putting bolts back in too much.
Now the flexplate is pretty much seperate from the torque converter.
Got my flashlight pointed up in there
Grabbed a big flathead screwdriver and started prying on the flexplate
Don't see anything yet
Turn the flexplate a half rotation
Pry again
and there it is! A big fat crack up near the center of the plate.
When the flexplate is loose from the torque converter you can get it to "flex" real good and you just might be able to spot your crack.
Just to be sure you do have one before dissasembly.
It was very obvious at this point, but before pulling those bolts I looked and looked and could never see a crack.
Hope this helps save someone a little time.
I removed 3 of the 4 bolts.
Then loosened the last bolt about half way.... I left this one in to maintain connection between the tq and the plate. Just so I wouln't have to fiddle with putting bolts back in too much.
Now the flexplate is pretty much seperate from the torque converter.
Got my flashlight pointed up in there
Grabbed a big flathead screwdriver and started prying on the flexplate
Don't see anything yet
Turn the flexplate a half rotation
Pry again
and there it is! A big fat crack up near the center of the plate.
When the flexplate is loose from the torque converter you can get it to "flex" real good and you just might be able to spot your crack.
Just to be sure you do have one before dissasembly.
It was very obvious at this point, but before pulling those bolts I looked and looked and could never see a crack.
Hope this helps save someone a little time.
Straightshooterjeeps cracked flexplate diagnosis
...
When the flexplate is loose from the torque converter you can get it to "flex" real good and you just might be able to spot your crack.
Just to be sure you do have one before dissasembly.
It was very obvious at this point, but before pulling those bolts I looked and looked and could never see a crack.
Hope this helps save someone a little time.
...
When the flexplate is loose from the torque converter you can get it to "flex" real good and you just might be able to spot your crack.
Just to be sure you do have one before dissasembly.
It was very obvious at this point, but before pulling those bolts I looked and looked and could never see a crack.
Hope this helps save someone a little time.
Here's a warranty warning that comes with the flexplate. I had a bad motor mount as well.
“This warranty is voided if flexplate assy broken around the crankshaft and/or the torque converter bolt hole pattern.
Reduce failure. Check engine/transmission mounts, be sure they are supporting the drive train properly.”
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Not to hi-jack the thread, but add thanks for this great advice, would have saved me some time and can do on your own without removing the trans to confirm. The cracks I had were "hiding" right around the center.
Here's a warranty warning that comes with the flexplate. I had a bad motor mount as well.
“This warranty is voided if flexplate assy broken around the crankshaft and/or the torque converter bolt hole pattern.
Reduce failure. Check engine/transmission mounts, be sure they are supporting the drive train properly.”

Here's a warranty warning that comes with the flexplate. I had a bad motor mount as well.
“This warranty is voided if flexplate assy broken around the crankshaft and/or the torque converter bolt hole pattern.
Reduce failure. Check engine/transmission mounts, be sure they are supporting the drive train properly.”

Oh, and BTW, I stole your photo...............
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Why did I have to open this post??!!
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Why did I have to open this post??!!
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
LOL.
Loose bolts are more common than cracks. Take the cover off, check the bolts. If they're loose, tighten them then follow Cruiser/straightshooterjeep's advice and give it a pry.
Why did I have to open this post??!!
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
I've got the same noise and louder underneath by the rear of the oil pan. I thought it was lifter noise. I have a bad vibration at 2000RPM which I thought was the engine mounts but now I'm wonder if it's flex-plate related too. Is replacing the flex plate a "in the drive way on car ramps" kind of job to fix like rear brakes, shock absorbers etc or is it a "You can't do that without dropping the transmission, need two guys and special tools"?
Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Senior Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the replies. I have absolutely no luck on this kind of thing. I bet it won't be just loose bolts. If there's a chance the worst has happened, that's my story. Real life example: Wife wants a new sink faucet. I buy the faucet and notice that the drain leaks. I pull the pipe to fix the drain and notice the cabinet bottom is rotten. I get a new cabinet. I move the old cabinet, the floor is rotten, I lift up the floor, the joist is bad too. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the replies. I have absolutely no luck on this kind of thing. I bet it won't be just loose bolts. If there's a chance the worst has happened, that's my story. Real life example: Wife wants a new sink faucet. I buy the faucet and notice that the drain leaks. I pull the pipe to fix the drain and notice the cabinet bottom is rotten. I get a new cabinet. I move the old cabinet, the floor is rotten, I lift up the floor, the joist is bad too. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Senior Member

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0


