I am almost finished putting my freshened up 22re back into my 86 4runner w/ auto trans when I noticed a problem. Yes I have spent the last 1-1/2 hours searching but could not find an answer. I was turning the crank pulley manually with a socket to TDC to put my distributor back in & noticed a noise that reminded me of gears meshing together. I pretty quickly tracked it down to the starter. It is obvious that when I am turning the motor, the starter bendix is engaged with the flex plate?? I am wondering what the chance is that I put the flex plate on backwards? Is it even possible? If it was backwards would it make a difference? I really don't want to pull the trans out to see. I guess my next step will be to go ahead & hook up the battery & see how it turns over. Somebody please tell me that it could be something else.

 

Is it possible that once I hook up the battery that the bendix will jump back in? Also you can see my pics & other info about the motor in my build, linked in my sig.

 

has anyone ever had to shim one of these starters? It doesn't make since to me because it wasn't rubbing before I pulled the motor so why would in now?

 

I don't think you can put them on backwards... And there is a metal disc or shim and I can't remember if that goes on 1st or after the flex plate is on the crank...

It's been a while since I done an AT.

If you don't put a small enough (profile) bolt that holds the dust cover on between the engine and tranny, I know a fly wheel can rub on it and it sounds about like that.

The bendix moves quite a bit... So thinking the flex plate is far enough back to get it in the teeth to turn the starter is a bit of a stretch to me.

And a week battery sometimes won't pull it back in. Turn the engine reverse from the way it runs and see if you can hear it click back in.

 

and why is this in newbie tech section?

There isn't another page with some other small obscure link to some other section in another sub forum on here specifically for the 22RE?


What's wrong with coping Mud's "79-95 tech"? Evey truck, every type of member in one place...

 

Thanks for the info & I will try turning the crank counter clockwise a little & see what happens. When I took mine apart the metal shim went between the flexplate & the flex plate bolts. Also, I don't have the battery hooked up at all yet. Thanks again for the response.

 

It is in newbie tech just because I am a noob & didn't know where else to put it.

 

I hereby christen you, and your 158 posts, to not be a n00b anymore and post in any section you want...

And as long as you're on YotaTech... If, you can find it...

 

holy hell YOTAROB....ya pulled your engine out of the truck....that's not very noob-ish

 

Thanks guys, I feel better already not being a n00b anymore, LOL

Also feel better knowing that the flex plate is prob not the problem, I really don't want to have to go back in to turn it around.

 

I went home on my lunch & messed with it some more. I loosened the starter bolts again & wiggled the starter around & tried to pry it away from the flex plate some. Now when I turn the motor over with my socket on the crank pulley the starter only contacts the flex plate for about 1/2 of a rotation like the flex plate is not centered. Not sure what to do about that.

 

FALSE ALARM!!!!!!!!! Those are torque converter bolts....

DISREGARD


HA!!!!

I think I got it!

Of all the flexplate bolts ONLY ONE is different. It has a cone shape close to the head. It goes in 1st for a reason. To center the flexplate for the rest of the bolts.

If that's not done it's logical it can cause the problems you're now encountering.

 

Starter gear won't retract? 22RE

 

Alright, I bet that is the problem. I didn't realize that one of them was different. Thanks a bunch man!

Now how do I fix it? I have to pull the trans out I guess??? That really sucks but you are prob right. It seems to me that the flex plate is out of center somehow.

 

no that's not right... see edit

 

Thanks for all of your help, I wish I could buy you & 92 TOY lunch or something, LOL. I'm not seeing the "edit" you are talking about. We are talking about the 6 bolts that hold the flexplate onto the back of the motor right? Is there another way to get to them without pulling the transmission?

 

i didn't do anything...

 

You've been helping be thru this whole process. Also found that bracket for me.

 

oops... sorry....

 

Don't be sorry, at least you are not the idiot that didn't pay attention to the flex plate bolts & now has to pull his transmission. I just called in the calvary & we are meeting up at my place as soon as I get off work to start pulling that tranny. Thanks for all the help guys.