My T100 dropped dead yesterday morning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />. I've been noticing that when just idling (in park)there was a clicking that sounded like it was coming from the front of the transmission. It was like that for 8+ months with no other inclinations of problems. 2 weeks ago I noticed that when driving +-50mph and it tried to downshift it sounded like a bad bearing (scraping/whining sound). I immediately let off the accelerator and it changed back to OD. It did this like 2 times just that one day. After that, nothing out of the usual. Yesterday I brought the kids to school and then was on a straight road at a stop sign and pulled off and went through 1,2... then it shifted and that horrible scraping/whining noise came and I let off the accelerator. It stayed scraping and was just coasting to the side of the road. I stopped and tried to move it and just got the sound, but no movement. So I put it in park and there was still the sound. I tried everything from shifing to 4wd and every gear, but it never did anything different. I turned it off and tried to restart. It wouldnt do anything but barely click. I can understand the transmission going out, but why wouldnt my truck start? Could this be a torque converter gone bad or maybe something other than the tranny? I'm really hoping it isnt the tranny because it's a few arms and legs and I really dont have the money since it's Christmas. I went ahead and had it towed to a transmission shop, so I couldnt check the fluid. Anyone ever had this happen? Really, any help would be appreciated. It's a 97 T100 4x4 a340f transmission. 208K.

Sounds like a broken flex plate. The tranny needs to be dropped to replace it, but that's a whole lot better than a trashed tranny!

Its happened to several people on this forum:

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB78&Number=683844
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB78&Number=230067

Scott's thread has some pictures:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102868

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Wow I cant say how happy I am! Thanks!

Well, it WAS the flexplate!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I went ahead and just had them replace it with one from Toyo. They couldnt find one anywhere else. Toyo charged around $250 just for the plate, leaving my final bill at $502. I'm not sure if this was a good deal or not, but definately better than the $2500 or so I was thinking for a rebuild, etc. Thanks for the heads up. BTW, it was broken just like that guy's was who posted the pictures.

Just curious if any of you when the plate was replaced had seen any issues with the rear engine seal or the front transmission seal. Is it worth having them replaced at the time or do they seem to hold up forever?

Its a good time to replace those seals while the tranny is out. Its minimal additional cost for parts and labor compared to if you have to do them later. Good preventive maintenance. Nothing lasts forever.

Nothing lasts forever. Hmmmmmmmmmm..................................my wife says she will out last me, so for me, that is forever................Anyway, Merry Christmas to all.