Hello, everyone. I am looking for some advice. I have a 2011 scab XLT, 3.7, 2 wd, with 197,000 miles on it. One of the reasons I replaced the starter two months ago was because it wouldn't fully engage. The other reason is the starter just quit working. The remanufactured starter I installed worked great till a couple of weeks ago. Now it will randomly will not engage. I pulled the starter to inspect the ring gear on the flex plate, and it's a little chewy. I have to keep a breaker bar stashed behind the seat so I can rotate the ring gear when the stater won't engage. Also, we had a cold snap a while back, when I started the truck that morning, I could hear a rattle where the flex plate is, so I believe the flex plate may be cracked. I need to decide if I am going to drop the transmission and replace it myself or pay someone to do it. If anyone here that has done this repair has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it, Thank in advance.

 

Being a 2wd, a trans pull isn't THAT bad, but it's not a great time either.

You can figure on draining the trans, and if you don't have a lift at home with a trans jack, then you will want a low boy trans jack for doing transmissions on the floor.

Basically though, figure on pulling the starter, the exhaust, then the cross member, then the trans. Getting the top bolts out doesn't require special tools, but a super long extension with a wobble really makes life easier. I can tell you, the trans bolts are going to TIGHT, so eat your wheaties.

Tim