Flex plate replacement

Hello,

If the flex plate has a broken tooth, it will cause the starter to grind and can make it difficult to start. It can also damage the starter drive.
Keep in mind that the grinding can also happen if the starter is not aligned properly with the flex-plate.

If the flex-plate does have damaged tooth/gear ring, you will have to replace the flex plate as the gear ring is part of the flex-plate.

In order to find out if the flex-plate is damaged, you will first have to remove the starter. This will allow you to see the flex-plate gear ring. It will allow you to see just a little bit of the ring. You might have to rotate the engine with the crankshaft to see if it is indeed a bad ring or the issue might be elsewhere.

Here is a helpful guide on starter removal:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Keep in mind in order to replace the flex plate the transmission needs to be removed.

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.