replacing flex plate on auto gearbox

Hi all. I've got an apparently uncommon problem. so uncommon my local landrover dealer themselves have never changed one! and that is I have a 2001 disco TD5 auto, and apparently the flex plate in the gearbox has gone. now interestingly it was replaced at 87,000 miles by one of the previous owners. it had broken in 3 places the first time. (I have bills to confirm this) and it looks like its gone again at 1003,000 miles!

Nobody has known this to happen apparently, someone said it could also be the torque converter, god I hope not! or the torque converter on its way out causing the flex plate to keep breaking? or does anyone have any other ideas why this should happen twice? once at 87 k, and again at 1003k ? I've had a quote of £600 to put a new flex plate in, and thats using a gen landrover one, which is going to break me, but i'm more concerned as to why it keeps going? If I get this fixed, I dont want it going again in say another 12-15k miles! oh I have got a full landrover service history on it too. am i just unlucky? any advice or help much appreciated.

Also worse case scenario, if I need to get another secondhand gearbox, how much will this cost me? and where can I get one?

Ask Ashcroft transmissions for advice

I changed mine for completeness when I renewed my autobox-Ashcrofts are the peeps to talk to.Expensive as a lot of work to get to it

They are known to fail,Ashcrofts can supply shims to obtain the correct end float which stops any front to rear stress on the flex plate.
£600 to swop the flex plate is well over the top.

end float ?

Yes,the shims they supply are to get the correct amount of end float,(Approx 2mm) on the converter before its bolted to the flex plate.Bit of a fiddle to measure before assembly,but worth doing to stop it either breaking the flex plate or the plate on the convertor.

oh i see what you mean t/c positioning for oil pump drive

thanks guys, I'll get onto ashcrofts then. as for price, the bill I have on record is for over £600. the quote I got this time is £600 dead. I believe most is labour (about £400 odd for that) the plate itself is only about £20.00, then gear oil about £55.00, rest bits and pieces. does anyone know how much cheaper I can get it done for then?

why do you need oil are you having an oil change at the same time , the biggest part is splitting box from engine about a days work in all

jamesmartin said:

why do you need oil are you having an oil change at the same time , the biggest part is splitting box from engine about a days work in all

Click to expand...

+ 1.

jamesmartin said:

why do you need oil are you having an oil change at the same time , the biggest part is splitting box from engine about a days work in all

Click to expand...

To be honest I don't know, i'm only going by what was on the old itemized bill when it was done last. is £600 odd about right for the cost?

I guess they are draining the oil before splitting autobox off engine as the cooler pipes have to be released from box

biolandy said:

I guess they are draining the oil before splitting autobox off engine as the cooler pipes have to be released from box

Click to expand...

they do but they are above sump level so draining box wont stop whats in pipe running out if you dont bung the holes

Hi...I believe the job is at least a full days work and parts of it will require 2 guys....so can't imagine you will get it much cheaper than 600.