GM 12609155
Drive Plate

A proper Flywheel engine replacement process starts with transmission removal. The procedure starts by removing the engine Flywheel bolts followed by taking out the Flywheel itself. Thorough examination of the Flywheel should be completed after cleaning it; serious damage to Flywheel teeth will require Starter operability checks and replacement of the Starter if it shows heavy wear or Starter Drive (LY7) malfunction. First reinstall the transmission and afterwards install the engine Flywheel before reinstalling the transmission.

The first step to service and repair the flex plate and replace the engine Flywheel is to lift the vehicle and find appropriate support. Start by removing the transmission followed by the bolt removal between Flywheel and Crankshaft flange that requires the discarding of bolts. The service process requires you to remove the Flywheel carefully for checking the teeth sections for broken or worn conditions and cracks before deciding on a replacement. Check the mating surfaces of Crankshaft and Flywheel for any existing burrs during the inspection process. Install the new Flywheel along with its bolts and secure these new Flywheel bolts to 15 nm (11 ft. Lbs.) before applying additional torque of 50 degrees through the torque angle meter (J36660-A). The engine block receives the dial indicator set (J8001) for Flywheel runout measurements at the three attaching bosses. The measurements should take place with the Crankshaft end-play fixed in one direction and show a maximum runout of 0.381 mm (0.015 inch). A mallet should strike the higher side of the Flywheel to fix runout issues but wheel replacement is necessary when runout correction proves impossible. Complete the process by reinstalling the transmission then lower the vehicle.

Start service and repairs of the engine Flywheel by first removing the transaxle then removing eight bolts that attach the Flywheel to the Crankshaft flange where you should dispose of these bolts. The assessement of Crankshaft mating surfaces for burrs leads to cleaning the engine Flywheel followed by inspection. The installation process begins with properly positioning the Flywheel before bolting its replacement parts with 15 nm torque (11 ft. Lbs.) and extending the bolt torque with the torque angle meter (J 36660-A) by an additional 50 degrees. Use the dial indicator set (J 8001) to check runout at the three attaching bosses on the engine block while keeping the Crankshaft end-play in one direction; the acceptable Flywheel runout range is 0.381 mm (0.015 inch). You need to replace the Flywheel if correcting its runout exceeds specification and you cannot fix it by tapping the higher side with a mallet. Finally, reinstall the transaxle.

A technician needs to start the Flywheel replacement process by removing the transaxle. The Flywheel holder (J 37096) must be used to stop Crankshaft rotation before beginning the process of unfastening the eight engine Flywheel bolts. Keep one of the eight Crankshaft bolts in its place which is located at the Crankshaft's top rotation position. Hold the engine Flywheel tightly before unscrewing the last bolt while keeping the Flywheel from falling. You can install the new engine Flywheel with help from the Flywheel holder (J 37096) which continuously prevents Crankshaft rotation. Fasten the new engine Flywheel bolts with a torque of 15 nm (11 ft. Lbs.). The electronic torque angle meter (J 36660-A) enables you to properly rotate the engine Flywheel bolts another 50 degrees. A dial indicator mounted on the engine block should determine engine Flywheel runout at the three attachment bosses; a new engine Flywheel should replace the current one if any condition cannot be remedied. Finally, reinstall the transaxle.

The flex plate service process starts with vehicle support while raising it followed by torque converter cover(s) removal and flywheel to torque converter bolt(s) removal. Install the flywheel to torque converter bolt(s) according to the Fastener Notice in Service Precautions before tightening them to 63 Nm (47 ft. lbs.). Reinstallation of torque converter covers should precede bringing the vehicle down.

Critically evaluate the condition of the engine Flywheel together with the Torque Converter for any loose or absent Torque Converter-to-engine Flywheel bolts and replace or tighten them as needed. A replacement is required for a Torque Converter that shows either damaged balance weights or any missing weights. Move the Torque Converter to different positions relative to the engine Flywheel while waiting 120 degrees each time to observe vibration changes separately. The installation process includes manually rotating the Torque Converter after adding washers to verify that engine Flywheel-to-Torque Converter bolts do not reach bottom in their holes. The best balanced position for the Torque Converter should remain attached to the engine Flywheel while you install longer engine Flywheel-to-Torque Converter bolts alongside washer additions or subtractions for best balance outcomes.

Service and repair of the flex plate and engine Flywheel replacement starts with transaxle removal. The Flywheel holder (J37096) locked onto a ratchet will enable you to secure the Flywheel before loosening its bolts. Maintain the top most engine Flywheel bolt as you extract all other seven bolts from the Crankshaft's total rotation area. Grasp the engine Flywheel tightly and pull out the last bolt from the engine while keeping the Flywheel from falling off. Secure the new Flywheel with fresh bolts until it reaches proper tightness. Then remove the bolts one after another until you reach the top bolt of the Crankshaft rotation. The Flywheel attachment known as j37096 together with a ratchet enables safe holding of the Flywheel while servicing occurs. Follow the torque angle meter (J45059) procedure to fasten Flywheel bolts to 15 nm (11 ft. Lbs.) and continue tightening with 50 degrees additional torque angle. Finally, reinstall the transaxle.

Take out the eight bolts attaching the flywheel to the crankshaft flange and discard the bolts afterward.

Tap on the high side with a mallet to correct it, or replace the flywheel if the runout cannot be corrected.

Replace the starter.

Ensure to install the flywheel bolts and tighten them to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.), using the Torque Angle Meter (J 36660-A) to tighten the bolts an additional 50 degrees.

Place the engine flywheel back in position and reinstall the transmission.

Begin by removing the transaxle and the eight bolts attaching the flywheel to the crankshaft flange, discarding the bolts afterward.

Use the Flywheel Holder (J 37096) and ratchet again to hold the flywheel in place.

The flywheel runout should not exceed 0.381 mm (0.015 inch).

First, raise and suitably support the vehicle.

Use the Flywheel Holder (J37096) to prevent crankshaft rotation.

Replace the engine flywheel.

Check the starter for proper operation.

Install the new flywheel and snugly install the NEW flywheel bolts.

Tighten the new flywheel bolts to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.) and use the J 36660-A to tighten the bolts an additional 50 degrees.

First, remove the automatic transaxle and secure the flywheel to prevent rotation.

Install the new engine flywheel, again using the Flywheel Holder (J 37096) to prevent rotation.

Grip the flywheel and remove the remaining bolt, ensuring not to drop the flywheel.

Install the new engine flywheel, again using the Flywheel Holder (J 37096) to prevent crankshaft rotation.

Remove the engine flywheel retainer and the flywheel itself, and clean the engine flywheel bolt threads and bolt holes.

Tighten the bolts to 71 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) and reinstall the automatic transaxle.

Place the flywheel and the flywheel retainer, then install the flywheel bolts while using the Flywheel Holder (J37096) to prevent rotation.

First, remove the automatic transaxle.