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Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Auto flexplate broken

Hi all,

I had to be brought home on a flatbed last night as the flexplate on my 300tdi auto box has broken. I feel so annoyed as I put a new Ashcroft autobox and torque converter in over the summer but didn't change the flexplate (maybe I should have!).

I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on whether I should replace with a Genuine flexplate or go for an uprated version? M&D Engineering supply an 'uprated' plate or Ashcrofts supply Genuine.

The engine is tuned so it is fairly high torque. BAS VGT turbo, Allisport intercooler, pump tuned etc. If I put another standard plate in I don't want to be pulling that out again in a few months because the torque is killing it.

All advice, thoughts gratefully received!

20th Jan 2016 8:35am

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Sounds like you need to determine if the plate failed due to the torque being put through it or just fatigue over years of use and abuse. Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black

20th Jan 2016 9:01am

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

The flexplate was a used part taken from an 86K Disco so it could well have been fatigued before I even used it in the Defender.

Thanks

20th Jan 2016 9:22am

BigRuss

Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

Ok, so roughly how many miles has it done since being fitted and since it has had to handle more torque? Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black

20th Jan 2016 11:45am

Supacat

Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green

The MD one is not that more expensive than genuine but I'm unclear about what makes it upgraded - why don't sellers put the details on the website?

Interesting that Ashcroft state: "These are prone to cracking and it's good practice to change it when changing the autobox."

I word with Ashcroft as to why they don't offer an upgraded part might help you decide whether it's a good thing or may actually just transfer the issue to a more expensive part?

20th Jan 2016 11:50am

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Its covered about 20K since fitting.

I don't have any dyno figures for how much torque the engine is now producing, but with the mods it has had done it must be close to a 2.8TGV and I note the Ashcroft site advises using an uprated autobox to handle the torque from a TGV (although no mention of uprated flexplate).

20th Jan 2016 11:53am

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Supacat - I agree it is very annoying when sellers don't give technical specs/info when selling technical products, especially when they are claiming it to be technically superior product.

I presume the uprated version is similar to Ashcrofts TD5 uprated flexplate - made from thicker, stronger material.

I think I need to have a chat with the guru of all things Landrover gearbox related - Dave Ashcroft. As you said, it may be the flexplate is a designed failure point in order to protect more expensive parts.

20th Jan 2016 11:59am

L90Andy

Member Since: 29 May 2014
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Posts: 717

Count me in for helping to fit whatever you decide on - I owe you a few spannering favours!

20th Jan 2016 12:13pm

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Thank you! I will take you up on that offer as I wasn't looking forward to wrestling with a Tbox and autobox on my own.

20th Jan 2016 12:16pm

ashtrans
Site Sponsor

Member Since: 08 Nov 2008
Location: Harpenden
Posts: 257

Hi,

Our 300 tdi flexplate is made from a better material than genuine. We use a CS80 Spring steel, I don't think I have seen one of these fail and we use then for the 300 tdi, TD5 and Pumas

Dave Dave

20th Jan 2016 10:19pm

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Thanks for the info Dave. Very reassuring to know the new flex plates are stronger. I placed an order with you earlier today for a new one.

Cheers,

Alex

20th Jan 2016 10:28pm

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Well, I took out the gearbox yesterday and found that the original diagnosis was correct. The flexplate centre has been ripped out. It is a perfect circle around the centre.

Click image to enlarge

31st Jan 2016 10:54am

Supacat

Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

That's impressive!

31st Jan 2016 11:56am

landyman37

Member Since: 22 Jan 2012
Location: west midlands
Posts: 153

Alex this might be a bit late did it have a spacing ring on it (like a type of washer) or did the bolts go straight through the plate no spacing ring

20th Feb 2016 1:34pm

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Yes - there was a couple of spacer rings. A thick ring that sat between the crank and the flexplate and a thin one between the flexplate and the crank bolts.

20th Feb 2016 1:38pm

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