The flexplate is a round, thick piece of sheet metal that connects a vehicles engine to the transmission.If you hear a knocking or chirping sound when you are in idle, then you might have a broken or cracked flexplate. Removing the flexplate from a Chevrolet is a challenging and laborious undertaking because it requires the removal of the transmission. However, with the right set of instructions and tools almost any relatively mechanically savvy person will be able to remove their Chevrolet's flexplate.
Prepare the Chevrolet for maintenance. Open and support the hood of the car. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Disconnect the shift cable from the transmission by prying it up out of the retainer clip with flat screwdriver. The shift cable is located on the top of the transmission. Jack up both ends of the car and support them with two jack stands each. Place a gasoline jar or large drip pan beneath each fuel line connection point to catch all remaining gasoline in the lines.
Locate the rear or the front drive shaft ---or both --- depending on the Chevrolet vehicle model by referring to the owner's manual. Remove the bolts securing it to the mounting using a 3/8-inch socket and socket wrench, and gently lower it to the ground.
Locate the fuel pressure regulator found of the fuel rail by consulting the vehicle's owner's manual. Detach the vacuum hose from the top of the fuel pressure regulator by hand. Attach a vacuum pump to the fuel pressure regulator and relieve fuel pressure. Remove the fuel lines by loosening the clamps on both connection clamps using a Philips screw driver and firmly pulling the lines off the connections.
Support the transmission with a transmission jack and remove the support bracket at the catalytic converter, located directly beneath the engine on the underside of the car, by unbolting it using a 3/8-inch ratchet. Unbolt and remove the transmission crossbar using a 3/8-inch ratchet. Gently lower the transmission onto the transmission jack.
Disconnect all electrical connectors that run to the transmission by hand. Remove the cooler line by hand and seal the opening using a rubber stopper. Locate the starter by consulting the owner's manual and detach it by unscrewing the two bolts extending through the bell housing.
Remove the two transmission support braces by unbolting them using a 3/8-inch socket attached to a socket wrench. Remove the screws holding the converter housing cover, located near the front end of the transmission where it attaches to the engine, using a Philips screwdriver.
Support the engine with an engine two support bars by placing them directly beneath the engine strut towers, see owner's manual for location (location varies depending on the model of Chevrolet) and jack them until the tops are flush against both strut towers. Remove the torque converter from the flexplate bolts using a 3/8-inch socket and socket wrench. Remove the transmission from the engine mounting bolts located on the flexplate using a 3/8-inch socket and socket wrench.
Gently pull the transmission away from the engine. Remove the bolts securing the flexplate to the engine using a 3/8-inch socket and socket wrench. Pry the flexplate away from the engine mount using a pry bar and hammer. Inspect the flexplate for cracks and any visible damage.
