Flexplate issues

[motcher41]

So back when I bought my 92 Ranger 2.9 V6 & A4LD the flexplate center cracked through and separated from the outer portion that is connected to the Torque Converter. When we replaced the flexplate we had found the bell housing bolts were VERY loose and attributed that to causing the flexplate to break. 10-20k miles later give or take the same thing happened. I don't know if the first one was stock or aftermarket but the one I installed was aftermarket. Bell housing was nice and snug this time around but the spacer has a broken collar on it. Torque Converter was tight to the flexplate as well.
Think that would cause it to flex enough to crack or are the aftermarket flexplates just that crappy?
Can't locate a decent priced M5R1 so probably going to put the auto back in.

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[motcher41]

After lots of searching I found my answer

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[Tedybear]

After lots of searching I found my answer

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So what was the answer? I've got ideas...but most of them suck

 

[motcher41]

The spacer helps keep the TC aligned. Lack of virtually and alignment help is causing the TC would move around and flex the flexplate. Which causes the premature failure. As you can see in the pic virtually all of the shoulder is gone on the spacer.
The picture shows how the spacer interacts with the TC. This is the older style TC the updated TC have a longer shank which goes a bit further into the meat of the spacer. The old shorter pilot design is probably why so many spacers and flexplates were damaged. Not much meat to keep the TC in check.

Old TC pilot length

Updated longer pilot length

 

[motcher41]

I found a company which the spacers are appearing to be machined vs made of pot metal crap. Contacting them to verify.

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