My 2000 F250 SD 4X4 5.4L automatic, just started making noise in the Tranny. My research here tells me that it is likely to be the Flex Plate, however most of the flex plate failures I am reading about have occured on the PSD's. Is this a common failure also on the Gas engine trucks? The noise only occurs when I put it in gear and seems to quiet down as I drive it or rev the engine to higher RPM's. The engine did die on me once last night, but started back up and tranny engaged fine and drove in both forward and reverse.

Is it likely to be the Flex Plate, or could I also be looking at a Torque Convertor? Are there any links available for how to pull the tranny and replace the Flex Plate & convertor? Never worked on a Tranny before, but am pretty mechanical with all other stuff. Am I better to take it to the shop?
Thanks for any advise or help.

 

It've had similar (noises) problems with a ford f-450 superduty and it turned out that the transmission needed to be replaced. I romoved the transmission in anticipation of replacing the flexplate and found that the flexplate was intact and just fine. Two other shops in the area also diagnosed the noise as a cracked flex plate so it can be decieving. I'd recommend removing the access cover on the transmission bellhousing and visually inspecting the flexplate for cracks or sighns of warping. If you do find a faulty flexplate then you'll need a good transmission jack in order to remove the transmission and a good jack and jack stands to raise and support the vehicle. With out these items I wouldnt attempt the repair. Buy a HAYNES repair manual for your particular vehicle and it will explain this procedure in detail. Read through the steps in the manual first and then decide if you are capable of doing the job. Removing a transmission is a fairly easy task, they're just heavy.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I have 118,000 on the truck, but it has never been abused, or even used to pull much. If the tranny was shot I would have expected some intermittent noise or slipping, etc. The noise started suddenly the other day, no prior symptoms. If the tranny was shot, wouldn't I be able to see debris in the fluid when I drain it from the pan?

I will pull the inspection cover and take a peek this weekend. Does anyone know where I can find the tranny tag to tell which tranny I have? I am assuming it is a 4R100?

 

before you start tearing things apart or thinking you have to replace the trans look at this thread because it could save you some headache since this is a simple fix if it is the problem.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...top-light.html

also yes you have a 4R100 auto transmisson

 

Good idea. For sure the noise is coming from the front end of the bell housing on the tranny, as I crawled under the truck and got close and personal to listen. Easy enough to pull the inspection plate and see if that quiets it down. I like easy! Will try that first.