I have a 1986 Camaro IROC Z with the TPI 305. Over the summer, the original flexplate cracked. I'm guessing just due to old age. I had it replaced. The new one cracked a few months later, not sure why. I had it warranted. A couple of months later the new one is cracked again. I don't hoon or drive this car hard. I live in a high traffic area and it's hard for my car to get passed 45 mph some days. It only seems to squeal when the brakes are applied. Driving normally, I don't hear any noise. It drives smooth other wise. But when I am at a stop light it begins squealing unless I bump it into neutral. Transmission is a 700R4 that was fully rebuilt 4 years ago. What would cause it to keep cracking?

 

Prior to the torque converter being bolted to the flex plate, it there at least an 1/8" gap between them?

RBob.

 

Does the flexplate contact the converter or does it draw them together when you tighten the bolts down?

 

I'm not sure. I had a shop do it. I sadly don't have room to drop the transmission and have the car out of commission for a few days. Usually they are really great about things. This is the only time I've ever had to have a part warrantied with them.

 

something is wrong with the transmission or it's fitment to the engine that has the torque converter pump bushing out of line with the engine crankshaft-must be off pretty bad to crack the flexplates as fast as you have been experiencing:transmission needs to come out for a good inspection-especially of the front bushing,input shaft and bellhousing- or replace with another transmission...

 

I had the transmission fully rebuilt about 4 years ago including the front pump. I've noticed a single problem with the transmission at all. I don't hoon or race this car. Is it likely that a rebuilt transmission would fail after 4 years?

 

the actual transmission internals is likely fine-something is causing the flexplate breaking misalignment:distorted bellhousing,dowel pin holes enlarged,front pump bushing out of concentric.Did you have the original to the car tranny rebuilt,or was it another transmission that was rebuilt and installed?

 

It's the original transmission that was in the car.

 

the case/bellhousing should be good then-if indeed your original case was used in the rebuild.The front bushing on a 700 is fixed position,but rear half of pump can be assembled out of concentric and will have the stator support and input shaft off center if not assembled correctly...Someone who knows what to check needs to look over the front of the tranny when it is down for the flexplate replacement...

 

Might be a dumb question, but is the flexplate being installed backwards? The torque converter "feet" do not sit into a recess on the flexplate. That would be backwards.
This (below) is correct.