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88 Cherokee Piston Slap? Nope, Cracked Flexplate

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by Focker, May 30, 2017.

  1. Jun 2, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Could be loose bolts wallowed out the flex plate holes allowing the TC to walk back & forth a bit- I looked for that in the earlier videos but did not see it.
     
  2. Jun 2, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Duh! The video wasn't Fockers'. :oops:
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  3. Jun 2, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Ok...I saw those due to the flexplate cover being off. I can easily get to them, but they're tight. If I jerk on them, I can create the sound I get from rocking the crank pulley.

    So what next...?

    Remove the drive lines, the transmission cross member and drop? I've never pulled a transmission before.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    1st step- buy/beg/borrow/steal a FSM.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Can you get it to make the sound my moving that assembly without the crank moving? If so, there's your problem.

    Yes, those three bolts come out, and as you seperate the trans from the engine, you want the TC to stay with the trans. Wire it fast if you have to. Otherwise you'll have a gallon of trans fluid on your driveway.

    Seperate everything that you think you'll have to. Shifter, drive shafts, crossmember, bellhousing bolts.... the first time is the worst. After the 5th time you will be able to do it in your sleep.
     
  6. Jun 2, 2017
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Dropped the trans on a dodge 1500 last December and the first thing I did was drain the transmission fluid.
    I have a 95 fsm if you're interested.
     
  7. Jun 2, 2017
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    I have nothing to contribute but wanted you to know that I spent multiple hours looking at sub-$1000 Cherokees on craigslist all last night because of you. It looks like even with the knock you got a good deal, most of the ones I looked at were BEAT
     
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  8. Jun 2, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    my 88 ranger v6 . had a knock like that . tons of blow by . no compression on one cylinder . had a broken and cracked piston
    but I only paid 300 for it . with a bad engine . 4WD too . the big thing is I have more money in it then it worth . it replaced a 84 blazer . bought new that got total from the rear . daughter said that was a big upgrade :rofl: 4 years newer than last one :whistle: . I'll drive the wheels off of it . and I needed a pick up anyway
     
  9. Jun 2, 2017
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    X3
    :D
    This is what i do at work. Soooo much easier when im standing under the vehicle...
    Ive got a fsm i think for a cherokee too. Ill see what year it is tomorrow
     
    Focker likes this.
  10. Jun 3, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    My wife's giving me a hard time for trying to get it going so quickly. She is was hoping it would drag out for months. :D
     
    Danefraz likes this.
  11. Jun 3, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Today's research:

    I cleaned the flexplate with brake cleaner to inspect for cracks. What I found is the inner collar (which probably has about 6-ish bolts) doesn't seem to be "one" with the larger plate. If I hold a wrench on the crank and another wrench on any of the 4 flexplate to torque converter bolts, and move either one of the wrenches (as if tightening the bolts) the flexplate moves, knocks, then the collar moves too. It works in both directions.

    Maybe the collar is perfectly cracked along its circumference where it mates with the flexplate? Shouldn't they be one piece?
     
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  12. Jun 3, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    sounds like your getting closer to figuring it out - now off I go to learn about flexplates. Never touched an automatic transmission.
     
  13. Jun 4, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    This is all very suspicious… Why is she being so agreeable? You are going to owe her big time when she reveals her demands.
    :D
     
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  14. Jun 4, 2017
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    There is a collar so to speak, almost like a big washer that the bolts all go thru. That and the flexplate should not move in relation to each other. If the flexplate moves a hair and that collar doesnt you have something going on with the flexplate.
    Ive seen a few minivans lately with cracked flexplates and they are cracked all the way around. But the way they are sandwiched in there it will still spin the torque convertor.
     
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  15. Jun 4, 2017
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    [​IMG]
     
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  16. Jun 4, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    She thinks that I'm most happy when I have a project like this to work on...But now that you mention it, she did bring up wanting a Mac Book because her HP laptop is acting up. :susp:

    My wife doesn't ask for much...Never has. I could get her whatever she wants 3 times over and it wouldn't come close to what I have spent on tools, guns, guitars, cars... I better stop just in case she were to see this. :whistle:
     
  17. Jun 4, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Did you mean to say "not"? Because then you say...

    I totally get the sandwiched concept. I think mine might be like what happened in the picture you posted. I'm actually hoping for it...Then I know it's not a larger problem.

    Next plan is a tranny drop.
     
  18. Jun 4, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  19. Jun 4, 2017
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Yes, the collar and flex plate should not move seperatly. Once the crank bolts are tight they basicly become one.
     
  20. Jun 4, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    I'm going to use my motorcycle/ATV jack and some hope.
     
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