This sounds like the same deal to me. I have a 98 T-100 SR5 4x4 SC 5vz-fe with auto trans.

The knocking metallic noise comes on like a rattle after warm up, but only noticeable at idle. Shifting through gears may temporarily stop noise momentarily, but it resumes most times after a few seconds. Performance etc. seems fine but noise is obviously in need of investigation and remedy.

I am going to crawl under there today and try to get a peek at the converter bolts, etc.

If this get resolved in the meantime, I sure hope someone will post their findings.

 

Decided not to pull the trans but to run with the noise until I have some kind of failure. Pretty sure the flexplate may be cracked or damaged so I'm going to drive until the trans absolutely has to come out.

 

Have you priced out a new torque converter? If you keep driving with a damaged flex plate, it will damage the converter too. Fix it before it goes boom...

 

Dealer flex plate and converter are way too much. There is an aftermarket converter but still costs a lot, I have a spare flex plate. I've located a good used trans locally that I'm going to pick up and hang on to until I can either afford to put it in or mine finally gives up and I am forced to have it installed.

 

Well I finally found out what the noise was, a SEVERELY cracked flexplate. I mean so bad that there was only about a 3/8" part in the center area that was holding it together. It was cracked completely around in the center and ready to come apart. I'll get pics when it's light out b/c you have to see it to believe it.

 

OK, here are the pics. I'm assuming that Advance Engine Exchange in Louisville, KY replaced the cracked flexplate when they put the engine in @ 50K ago. I saw it and it was definitely cracked so I wouldn't think that a new flexplate would do this in 50K.

 

Wow, thats scary. I wounder what caused that, misaligned on install?

 

That looks like it had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

 

There's no telling Ace. I have no faith that the shop in KY that installed the engine did anything right other than finding a decent engine. Since then I've had issues with the crank pulley not being properly torqued causing wear on the Woodruff Key which lead to a stuttering at passing gear and now this.

JD, that's the truth! About 3/8" from major disaster.

 

hey all,

I wanted to bring this thread back to life. I have a similar noise coming from my 2002 4Runner, after just doing a timing belt change.

Timing is on point and I have the pictures to confirm the line up.

Obviously yours was the flywheel / flex-plate, is there any way to check that without pulling the transmission?

 

Should be able to either pull the starter and rotate the engine, can't remember if there is a lower plate on the bell housing that's removable to get a boroscope up in.