My daughter's 97 Explorer has a HUGE rattling and I was told that it may be a cracked flex plate. I hadn't heard of this before but it apparently is between the flywheel and the torque coverter (?). The guy says he will have to remove the tranny to get to it for repair/replace ! Anyone have a bit more detail or experience ?

 

If it is the flex plate the tranny will have to come out, make sure they check the bushing in the end of the crank, replace if worn.