I purchase one, from a local bumper to bumper autoparts store. Go quality piece came with new bolts.

 

Got a replacemnt coming for under $80.
Any tips and tricks to moving the trans back far enough to R7R the flexplate?
I'm a fairly capable mechanic, I just haven't worked on many auto's before.

Drop the driveshaft(s) and crossmenmber and let the trans hang to angle the motor back to get to the top trans bolts? I have a trans jack, so I hope I can just slide it back 3-4 inches. Will the trans cooler lines need to be disconnected? Special tools for these?

 

Also - the parts store showed two options for a flex plate. One w/ a spacer and one w/out. The one w/ a spacer was a special order, so I went with the w/out a spacer one.
Did I get the right one?

 

The 4L80 will have the flat flexplate with the spacer. They are typically sold together. The GM number is 12621399, it is about $60-$70. It will come with the new flexplate, spacer and new bolts. Most GM dealers will stock it. Good luck.

Chris

 

Sounds like I messed up?

 

Do you have the flexplate. Maybe take a picture and post it??

Chris

 

It will be in tomorrow.
The old one is still on the truck. I would like to have the correct part in hand before I take it apart Fri/Sat. The old one didn't look like it has a spacer anywhere.

2001 6.0ltr in a 2500HD 4x4 crew cab.

 

I've change a couple flexplates by not pulling the trans. I use the 2 starter bolts to hold up the front half of the trans & to keep it inline. Transmission lines can be unclip from the block to give you enough slack.
I'm not sure if you got a one piece or two driveshaft, but the ones I did, had two piece driveshaft & I left them in place & just unbolted hanger bearing. That gave me enough room to slide it back for enough. I used a 15mm racket wrench to remove flexplate bolts. I post up some pictures.

 

Unclip trans lines

Unbolted hanger bearing

Poor man jack holding up the trans

Pulling the flex plate bolts

Flex plate out

This was a 2wd truck. 03 2500hd 6.0 & 4l80e
Just to add:
Lower the crossmember to remove the upper housing bolts. Then jack it back up to almost factory height. Rmove 2 of the bottom bolts & install the 2 starter bolts & then pull the last 2 bolts. Being you will have a t-case hanging on the back of the trans Id probably keep the jack under the crossmember. This job takes me about 1.5hours to 2hour. I find it way better then pulling the whole trans.

 

GM part number for updated 80e flexplate:

12621399

broken one...



new one...