Anyone have a FLEX plate problem?
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
my 2015 has 1400 miles with no problem, until a couple weeks ago, when I heard a vibration/rattle at idle only. Finally got to see the corvette mechanic at my dealer today and said I have a front flex plate problem, and he will order the part, but it will probably be a two day job, taking out the transmission etc. Oh well, nothing I can do about it and I hope he does a good job. This mechanic has been working on corvettes for 44 years and he worked on my new '73 stingray back then. Anyone have this problem? Just curious!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,437
Likes: 2
From: Hamburger Hill...MAY 69
St. Jude Donor '08
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista California
my 2015 has 1400 miles with no problem, until a couple weeks ago, when I heard a vibration/rattle at idle only. Finally got to see the corvette mechanic at my dealer today and said I have a front flex plate problem, and he will order the part, but it will probably be a two day job, taking out the transmission etc. Oh well, nothing I can do about it and I hope he does a good job. This mechanic has been working on corvettes for 44 years and he worked on my new '73 stingray back then. Anyone have this problem? Just curious!
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
Yep
my 2015 has 1400 miles with no problem, until a couple weeks ago, when I heard a vibration/rattle at idle only. Finally got to see the corvette mechanic at my dealer today and said I have a front flex plate problem, and he will order the part, but it will probably be a two day job, taking out the transmission etc. Oh well, nothing I can do about it and I hope he does a good job. This mechanic has been working on corvettes for 44 years and he worked on my new '73 stingray back then. Anyone have this problem? Just curious!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 119
From: Southern Ontario
Those pics are scary Peter. I am sure I have a flex plate issue, rattle at idle in park or backing out of the garage centered under the car in that area, goes away after the car warms up substantially. Almost sounds like a valve rattle when the car is cold when accelerating but is gone once everything warms up. Appears that heat expands something to cause that rattle to go away, sure sounds like the flex plate issue. I have a lot of concern though seeing what has to be done to fix this, geez simple things get screwed up at these dealerships, this does not look simple. No dealership in my town has a Corvette certified technician.
Last edited by C7DriverOnt; Aug 28, 2016 at 01:53 PM.
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5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
Flex plat
Those pics are scary Peter. I am sure I have a flex plate issue, rattle at idle in park or backing out of the garage centered under the car in that area, goes away after the car warms up substantially. Almost sounds like a valve rattle when the car is cold when accelerating but is gone once everything warms up. Appears that heat expands something to cause that rattle to go away, sure sounds like the flex plate issue. I have a lot of concern though seeing what has to be done to fix this, geez simple things get screwed up at these dealerships, this does not look simple. No dealership in my town has a Corvette certified technician.
it did take quite a bit to disassemble to get to the flexplate but it took about five days for that to happen. It appears that the original flex plates were assembled by rivets which would loosen overtime the replacement is a welded flexplate. Let's hope that does the trick. I took it on 1000 mile trip after it was fixed with no problems. Finding a specialized technician Will be important
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 119
From: Southern Ontario
I wonder if there is any harm in leaving the flex plate as is. My vehicle makes the rattle noise when cold , in park , very evident it is coming from the flex plate area. Five minutes into driving it that rattle is gone, once warm I never hear it again. Rather than let a local dealer rip the car apart is there really any long term issue to leaving it the way it is? Lots of time left in the warranty, I also have the 8 yr extended warranty. Outside of the rattle I haven't heard of any other issue with these flex plates. I don't track the car, mostly a cruiser. Anyone have any insight on this?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 833
Likes: 240
I wonder if there is any harm in leaving the flex plate as is. My vehicle makes the rattle noise when cold , in park , very evident it is coming from the flex plate area. Five minutes into driving it that rattle is gone, once warm I never hear it again. Rather than let a local dealer rip the car apart is there really any long term issue to leaving it the way it is? Lots of time left in the warranty, I also have the 8 yr extended warranty. Outside of the rattle I haven't heard of any other issue with these flex plates. I don't track the car, mostly a cruiser. Anyone have any insight on this?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 119
From: Southern Ontario
Thanks ! Then perhaps it isn't the flex plate. Mine has been noticeable for at least a year , at idle in park as described, pretty much stayed the same though and hasn't gotten worse. It definitely is a rattle coming from the area of the flex plate but goes away when the car warms up. When I read the GM Service bulletin perhaps it is this bolt referred to in this bulletin. As you can tell I am reluctant to let the techs at the car, just don't have a lot of faith in GM's dealers to fix the problem without causing other issues. From the service bulletin regarding the Flexplate problem...
The Rattle noise heard only at idle in park from front of vehicle.
Raise car on hoist and pull front bell access cover – noise will be coming out hole.
Check for loose pinch clamp bolt is tight before swapping out front flexplate.
It makes the same noise and is an easy check before starting a major service procedure.
Do NOT re-install the old flexplate even if it looks O.K. as cause of the rattle may not be visible.
Typically the DSA rattle noise occurs at or just off idle and will be louder when observed via the rear inspection cover.
The Rattle noise heard only at idle in park from front of vehicle.
Raise car on hoist and pull front bell access cover – noise will be coming out hole.
Check for loose pinch clamp bolt is tight before swapping out front flexplate.
It makes the same noise and is an easy check before starting a major service procedure.
Do NOT re-install the old flexplate even if it looks O.K. as cause of the rattle may not be visible.
Typically the DSA rattle noise occurs at or just off idle and will be louder when observed via the rear inspection cover.
Last edited by C7DriverOnt; Oct 7, 2016 at 08:27 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
Thanks ! Then perhaps it isn't the flex plate. Mine has been noticeable for at least a year , at idle in park as described, pretty much stayed the same though and hasn't gotten worse. It definitely is a rattle coming from the area of the flex plate but goes away when the car warms up. When I read the GM Service bulletin perhaps it is this bolt referred to in this bulletin. As you can tell I am reluctant to let the techs at the car, just don't have a lot of faith in GM's dealers to fix the problem without causing other issues. From the service bulletin regarding the Flexplate problem...
The Rattle noise heard only at idle in park from front of vehicle.
Raise car on hoist and pull front bell access cover – noise will be coming out hole.
Check for loose pinch clamp bolt is tight before swapping out front flexplate.
It makes the same noise and is an easy check before starting a major service procedure.
Do NOT re-install the old flexplate even if it looks O.K. as cause of the rattle may not be visible.
Typically the DSA rattle noise occurs at or just off idle and will be louder when observed via the rear inspection cover.
The Rattle noise heard only at idle in park from front of vehicle.
Raise car on hoist and pull front bell access cover – noise will be coming out hole.
Check for loose pinch clamp bolt is tight before swapping out front flexplate.
It makes the same noise and is an easy check before starting a major service procedure.
Do NOT re-install the old flexplate even if it looks O.K. as cause of the rattle may not be visible.
Typically the DSA rattle noise occurs at or just off idle and will be louder when observed via the rear inspection cover.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 119
From: Southern Ontario
A junk product , really ??
Love the car , like most any car that ever rolled off an assembly line there are issues, that's why cars have warranties but overall it's great vehicle !! On the other hand I have never been enamored with car dealerships and their service no matter the brand of vehicle I have owned. It's pretty hit and miss on warranty work with most it seems and I have owned many vehicles over the decades including the oft touted premium brands. They all suck at service at one time or another.
Love the car , like most any car that ever rolled off an assembly line there are issues, that's why cars have warranties but overall it's great vehicle !! On the other hand I have never been enamored with car dealerships and their service no matter the brand of vehicle I have owned. It's pretty hit and miss on warranty work with most it seems and I have owned many vehicles over the decades including the oft touted premium brands. They all suck at service at one time or another.
Last edited by C7DriverOnt; Oct 11, 2016 at 02:25 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 30
I am pretty sure my 2016 Z51 A8 with 7000 miles built Nov 2015 has this flex plate problem. Torque Converter started going out last week and now at idle (in park or in gear both) it sounds like a valve rattle coming form under the hood area and its getting louder and more frequent each time I drive it. I am STUNNED that a $72,000 car can have this many problems this fast. This is my first Vet and I am already considering get rid of it. I will have my dealer check the Flex Plate when they install my new TC next week.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
my 2015 has 1400 miles with no problem, until a couple weeks ago, when I heard a vibration/rattle at idle only. Finally got to see the corvette mechanic at my dealer today and said I have a front flex plate problem, and he will order the part, but it will probably be a two day job, taking out the transmission etc. Oh well, nothing I can do about it and I hope he does a good job. This mechanic has been working on corvettes for 44 years and he worked on my new '73 stingray back then. Anyone have this problem? Just curious!
Hi Doug,
Just encountered the same problem with my 2014. It started at about the same mileage. Took it to the dealer and told it was the flex plate that was rattling because the plate was so thin that the bolts could not go in far enough to hold it firmly in place. Got it back today and worse noise than ever. Left it at the dealer. We'll see what happens next. very bummed.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
Flex plate issue
Hi Doug,
Just encountered the same problem with my 2014. It started at about the same mileage. Took it to the dealer and told it was the flex plate that was rattling because the plate was so thin that the bolts could not go in far enough to hold it firmly in place. Got it back today and worse noise than ever. Left it at the dealer. We'll see what happens next. very bummed.
Just encountered the same problem with my 2014. It started at about the same mileage. Took it to the dealer and told it was the flex plate that was rattling because the plate was so thin that the bolts could not go in far enough to hold it firmly in place. Got it back today and worse noise than ever. Left it at the dealer. We'll see what happens next. very bummed.
Last edited by Dan4time; Oct 15, 2016 at 01:42 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
I have a 2016 Corvette, auto, with 5000 miles. I had the torque tube replaced at 3000 miles, now, its back in service getting a new flex plate. I hope this finally resolves all the issues. This is my second Corvette, love the car, just hope they get it right. GM is replacing flex plate, torque tube and all internals, bearings, couplers, etc... they know its second time in with only 5000 miles, so they are replacing everything.
