I am going to be replacing the flex plate in my 2003 gmc envoy and my question is, do I have to completely drain the transmission and drop it completely? I was thinking I could just unhook all lines and linkages unbolt the drive shafts and transmission and just slide it back far enough to be able to replace flex plate. Is this possible and if so how much transmission fluid would I lose if any? I didn't even think to check the flex plate when I changed transmissions and torque converters. Any help or advice/tips is greatly appreciated!!
replacing flexplate gmc envoy
- Thread starter crazyelvis3577
- Start date
BlazingTrails
Member
- Apr 27, 2014
- 19,409
There is no reason why your transmission would not slide back enough to get to the flex plate, however at that point it will have to be completely loose and would not make much of a difference if you just sat it down since it is a pretty easy trans to pull. If you pull the drive shaft and then plug the tail housing with a shop rag or a Gatorade bottle cap you will not loose much fluid. Don't forget to use locktite on the flex plate bolts.
I've done this lots of times. but not on a Trailblazer.
Mark the flexplate before you take it out, and put a matching mark on the new part in the same place. When installing, put the mark in the same position.
The mounting bolts have a pattern, you want to install the flexplate in the same spot.
Also, get some longer mounting bolts (2) so the trans can be slid back and you won't have to rely on the jack as much, plus when you slide it back in there's not as muck struggling, things are lined up already
Mark the flexplate before you take it out, and put a matching mark on the new part in the same place. When installing, put the mark in the same position.
The mounting bolts have a pattern, you want to install the flexplate in the same spot.
Also, get some longer mounting bolts (2) so the trans can be slid back and you won't have to rely on the jack as much, plus when you slide it back in there's not as muck struggling, things are lined up already
Would I still need to plug it since the drive shaft would be coming out of my transfer case? after all my envoy is 4wd. I'm thinking I should be able to just disconnect it from the rear and leave it in the transfer case and then disconnect the front shaft and unhook all hoses and linkages and unbolt the transmission and slide it back along the the transfer case just enough to get to the flex plate. When I bolt everything back which locktite should I use, the red or blue since they seem to be for different things? Looks like I'll be tackling this Sunday.
You're only sliding the trans back a few inches. Disconnect whatever is stopping it from moving that far.
You only have to slide a combination wrench in there to loosen the bolts.
On a lift, this was an hour job, start to finish, on jackstands, I don't know.
You only have to slide a combination wrench in there to loosen the bolts.
On a lift, this was an hour job, start to finish, on jackstands, I don't know.
Well I replaced the flex plate and have the transmission bolted back up. All that's left it to reconnect everything and we're good to go. Thanks!!
@crazyelvis3577 I'm also in east TN. I would like to talk with you about your changing the flex plate the way you done because I need to do one myself if you wouldn't mind. thank you in advance
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