I am attempting to tackle certain noises, one at time to see how quiet I can make the Jeep run. Yesterday, in an attempt to reset the flexplate bolts as soon as I crawled underneath and go to get a wrench on the bolt, that bolt just so happens to not have a head on it. It appears to have been sheared off at some point. Anyway around this? Obviously, a wrench isn't going to do the job. HELP! I got a pretty good feeling, this is where a lot of the knocking is coming from.

 

My guess is that you are going to be dropping a transmission and replacing a flex plate very soon.

 

Yeah, that's what I was expecting. I am considering, finding a donor tranny and rebuilding. That way I can just drop the current one and install a fresh one.

 

.... or screwless. I crawled underneath to see what was up. I found maybe 4 bolts (arent there supposed to be 6?). and one seemed to be missing and another had the head sheared off. On top of that, it looks as though the bolts had been tack welded in to place. I dont think ill be getting a wrench on those.

 

Are those bolts just holding the inspection cover on? Or the bolts on the actual flexplate?

 

Not to be the bear of bad news. If the bolt is sheared off guess where the rest of it is at. The back side of the crank so that has to be easy outed.

 

Theres no inspection cover, just an open flexplate. And, its the head of the bolt thats sheared off. I got a feeling, imma be pulling the tranny to change out the flexplate, just to be safe.

 

If u dont pull the tranny id strongly suggest finding a flex plate inspection cover. Not a good thing to have it exposed. U will be super screwed if a rock bounces up and jams inbetween the teeth. Then u will have an even bigger problem.

 

Thats on my list for the next trip to the jy

 

Odds are the broken bolt that is still in there is not very tight. If you can get a good shot at it try to tap it counter clockwise with a small center punch. I remove tons of broken bolts in my line of work and you'd be amazed how often this works out. If that dosent work drill it with a center drill then back it out with a GOOD easy out