What does a flex plate do, and how do you know if yours is faulty? Your vehicle may be telling you things you may not know. Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River has the answers you need.

With few exceptions, every automatic vehicle is equipped with a flex plate. The flexplate is similar to the flywheel on a manual vehicle, with some key differences. Instead of a clutch, automatic transmissions are equipped with a torque converter, which is bolted to the engine via the flex plate. The flexplate doesn’t actually handle the transfer of energy in the same way the clutch does, it simply spins the converter, which does the work itself. This means that the flex plate is also much thinner and lighter than a flywheel. It also has teeth on the outside, in effect making a flex plate a giant gear, which is turned by the starter to start your engine when you turn the key.

So how can a flex plate fail? If any of the teeth wear out or break off, your vehicle may make a knocking sound while you’re starting it. If enough teeth are missing, the engine may fail to turn over altogether. If a flex plate cracks or comes loose, it can make a knocking sound while the engine is running, which may sound very similar to an engine rod knock. It can also cause the vehicle to vibrate and become noisy, particularly at higher RPM.

If your flex plate is showing signs of wear and tear, and for any other maintenance and repair you may need, Dirk’s Auto Clinic has you covered. No matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, our professional technicians will have you back on the road in no time. For the best transmission service shop in Crystal River, call or stop by today.

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Thank you for visiting Dirk's Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL. Count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer.

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