ironmikektm525

Have to check my converter bolts/flex plate. Can someone plz post a pic of what bolts/locations to remove . basically how do I get cover off. 99 t/a. Thx

bbond105

The only way to check the converter/flex plate bolts on an LS1 fbody is to remove the starter and work through the hole where the starter was.

ironmikektm525

Dang that stinks. Thought I read you could do it by removing some inspection plate? No wonder why when I went under there I didn't see how to anything. Is there enough room to tighten converter bolts if loose through starter hole? I also need to check for cracks on flex plate( I have flexible stick camera). I'm getting a rattle coming from that area between 1.5-2k rpm.sounds like a lifter tick. There's a thin blk plastic piece that appears to be in between tranny and block. When I flick that plastic piece it seems to make that same rattle noise. Hard to tell for sure though. The noise only happens when I'm driving . wont do it in neutral / park . tried power braking it but tires start to turn over before it gets to that rpm .can't duplicate sound any other way. If i manually shift it makes same rattle noise in every gear inbetween same rpm. Oil pressure is good . no change in performance. Any ideas????? Full Bolton's/132k well kept miles. Thx

98CayenneT/A

Yes, pull the starter out of there then turn the flex plate with a screw driver by the teeth carefully till you get to your first converter bolt, there will be 3 bolts

98CayenneT/A

Or put a socket on the under drive pulley and turn it that way to get from bolt to bolt

ironmikektm525

Cool. What's your thoughts on the symptoms I'm getting?

98CayenneT/A

Stock converter and flex plate ?

ironmikektm525

Yes both stock

98CayenneT/A

Hard to say without hearing it but I would lean more towards plastic, exhaust or heat shield rattle of some sort

98CayenneT/A

Any shutter or chatter during the rattle rpm range ?

ironmikektm525

No on both

98CayenneT/A

I guess I would start by making sure everything is tight. That plastic piece by the starter.....keep that from moving around, check exhaust, if you have cats on it still give those a wack.
If all that is good pull the starter down and push on the flex plate, make sure it does not wiggle, if it does the flex plate to crank bolts are loose, check flex plate to converter bolt and go from there
Is it more of a light tick or a rattle ?