I have a 99 F-350 7.3 with a o so sweet rattle. I have done some research and heard about Fords TSB on the TC and saw videos of what a bad TC sounds like and looked through the forums but I have some personal questions. The rattle is super loud under the truck than anywhere else but the sound is a combination of rattle and hissing. Inside the truck its more of a knock but faint. What puzzles me is that the sound gets worse as the truck heats up. At start I don't even know its there when I get to work (20 min) loud!!! The sound keeps up with RPM's too. I saw a lot of people saying that they drove on loud TC's for a long time no problem but that's just not me. I want to diagnose the problem before putting money away for a new tranny. I was thinking of replacing the flexplate to see if that will solve my issue and I pray it does. I also saw Ford's way for diagnosing the problem too but where would I get that pin they are talking about and has anyone ever done it? I would like to hear others opinion on my situation or tell me what they have done with this issue any input appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

If you are going so far as to remove the transmission, a visual inspection of the flexplate will tell you if that's the cuplrit or you need to go further. Usually, cracks in the flexplate will be visible and obvious. If the flexplate looks fine, replace the TC and front pump seal. You're already there at that point.

 

And the bushing behind that seal. It's another 5 minutes and $10 and might save the new seal.

 

FYI Flexplate Replacement TSB

 

my 99 f450 had a rattling TC when i bought it at 165k miles... I drove it for a year and a half before the trans failed at 191k. Every time I stopped by my mechanics they said we need to replace that... At the mileage it had on it I chose to run it till it quit since it is a in town only vehicle. Flex plate was fine, New TC and went through the trans... Found nothing wrong, but rebuilt it at the time, and did some upgrades. It is quiet now.

 

Can I just get the TC rebuilt or should I buy a new one? Some people say get a new tranny but I dont have 2,000 to just spend like that plus I'm not towing our doing any heavy hauling yet; not for a little while. What are some good TC/Flexplate compaines out there? What is an average price for a mechanic to inspect and rebuild or replace a TC and flexplate?