Flywheel Bolts

[RottenDog]

Recently I have been hearing a slight chatter from the engine compartment when I start up my truck.

Today I am driving down the freeway and I hear a cnsistant faint chattering noise. I pulled off and lifted the hood to hear a muffled clunking noise as best as I could tell coming from inside the engine.

I turn the engine off and start it again with the same slight chattering noise. I drive the truck home immediately watching the oil pressure and tempature the whole time with good readings.

I stop the truck in my driveway and attempt to start it again but the starter gives all indications that it has gone bad. I get a new starter and I remove the old one. As I pull the starter out a 1" long, 9/16 castle head bolt falls out. I remove the torque converter cover to examine the flywheel and I see no chip teeth, at least on the bottom. I stick my finger in the starter hole and I locate another same size bolt laying loose.

I install the new starter and it starts right up, but I still hear the muffled chatter coming from inside the motor towards the rear. Could this be loose flywheel?

First of all, can anyone confirm these are actually flywheel bolts?

If they are flywheel bolts, then is the easiest way to replace is pull the transmission, t.c., etc? and not have to pull the motor?

[M/Z]

Well having my engine pulled, my mechanic showed me my flywheel and torque converter. The mounting holes were elongated and I need a new flywheel and torque converter. My understanding is that to replace either you must remove the tranny from the engine. Bolts in the starter cavity would indicate to me that something is very wrong.

[Rockwagon]

The bolts that you described sure sound like flywheel to crank bolts. I have never expericed any falling out though. I would drop the tranny to investigate. Good luck!!

[porkchop]

First I would just pull off the inspection cover and look at all the holes to see if there is anything wrong. After you pull the inspection cover just use a large flat head to turn the engine by putting it on a flexplate tooth and prying against the tranny to move it. When the hole comes around take at it and see if it is worn or not. When was the last time the tranny or engine was out? It is possible that there was no lock tight put on the bolts. If the holes look ok, put lock tight on the bolt and reinstall.

[64Trvlr]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by RottenDog:
As I pull the starter out a 1" long, 9/16 castle head bolt falls out. I remove the torque converter cover to examine the flywheel and I see no chip teeth, at least on the bottom. I stick my finger in the starter hole and I locate another same size bolt laying loose.

First of all, can anyone confirm these are actually flywheel bolts?

If they are flywheel bolts, then is the easiest way to replace is pull the transmission, t.c., etc? and not have to pull the motor?<hr></blockquote>

Yes they are flexplate bolts. If it was my Jeep I'd pull the transmission and have a good look. Check the flexplate, converter, and end of the crank for any problems. Then using NEW bolts and a little locktite reinstall the bolts and torque them down. Since there are at least 2 loose or broken bolts I WOULD NOT just put them back in and tighten them up. Keep us posted on how it goes please.
:cool:

[CJ5]

9/16 seems a little small to me for flywheel bolts. Most I have seen are 5/8-3/4". Just food for thought, however a complete inspection and pulling is definatley warranted now. Sorry! I hate Tranny/TC work. Just replaced my tranny and ended up having to repull my TC case of a leak. I have had a belly full of that job for a while.

[Antelope]

I'm with 64 these definitely sound like flywheel bolts.