01 Taurus Flexplate Problem

[nfc91095]

The dealership has told me I have a cracked flexplate. I realize that the book lists this as 8.1 hours of labor, but I believe I read somewhere that there is a shorter step to replace this without disconnecting & dropping the engine/transmission. Something about sliding the transmission over to get enough clearance to box-end wrench this out.

Anyone know of a way to do this without disconnecting the transmission?

2001 Ford Taurus 3.0 Vulcan "U".

[Bull Geek]

Since you have a Vulcan you may, just may have enough room.

Take off the Y pipe under the car.

Disconnect wiring connectors. Cables, heater hoses @ the firewall etc. Disconnect the serp belt. Disconnect the AC compressor. Remove the cooling fans. Line the area in cardboard to protect the rad. Strap AC comp out of the way.

Get a cherry picker, hook the engine.

Get a jack under the car with a 2x6 or 2 of them bolted together, and brace the transmission by the pan.

Take the bolts around the bellhousing off the trans (IIRC 6 of them).

Now take out the bolts that hold the motor to the motor mounts. unbolt the brace that holds trans/engine together on the passenger side.

Heck you might be able to pick the engine up and out of the car like I did. Not sure you can get enough leverage/oomph to break the flexplate bolts loosen. They are on there pretty good. Heck if you've done everything as described above, you could yank the engine up high enough that you can zip each nut off with a impact gun, and turn the crank to get at each one.

[Gregs04.5]

You will essentially be completely removing the engine to do this, and it will take you more than 8.1 hours, trust me,I have just done this on a 2000 vulcan.
Pulling as described in the previous post is fairly accurate. However, remove the main pulley (on crank), and water pump pulley, power steering pump, and alternator. This will give you and additional inch, which you will need when trying to re-align the engine and trans.

[Bull Geek]

Originally Posted by Gregs04.5

You will essentially be completely removing the engine to do this, and it will take you more than 8.1 hours, trust me,I have just done this on a 2000 vulcan.
Pulling as described in the previous post is fairly accurate. However, remove the main pulley (on crank), and water pump pulley, power steering pump, and alternator. This will give you and additional inch, which you will need when trying to re-align the engine and trans.

+1 that's what I forgot to mention. Do this too. Good catch Greg!

[nfc91095]

Thanks for your feedback!

So which would be the best way (less risk) to replace the flexplate? Raising the engine as mentioned in this chain or lowering the transmission as Ford recommends? Time is not as important as I don't have to get this done in a weekend.

Thanks.

[Bull Geek]

Least risk? Engine out the top.

If you want to drop the trans...then you have to drop the subframe as an assembly w/all still connected, or you have to support everything from above, drop subframe, then drop the transmission.

Major PITA.

While you have the flexplate out. Replace your rear main seal with a new Ford one. Also replace your torque converter and torque converter seal. Cheap while things are separated.

[egiroux]

Originally Posted by Bull Geek

While you have the flexplate out. Replace your rear main seal with a new Ford one. Also replace your torque converter and torque converter seal. Cheap while things are separated.

^+1. Get an upgraded converter with the improved spline plate.

[nfc91095]

Thanks. I started on it this weekend and it is amazing to see how much of this stuff could (or needs to) be replaced once you start removing it. Scary...

Do the fuel lines have to be disengaged or is there room for those to move a little?