I've broken two flexplates now, the second being only a month or so after the first being replaced. I was told the crankshaft being at an angle could warp the flexplate and crack it. What are some other causes for cracking flexplates? It's a stock A4 transmission.

 

I have seen some flex plates crack due to the torque converter not being all the way seated in the transmission. and when you go to tighten the converter to the plate it stresses it...-

Other than that...

 

Are you sure both dowl pins are in the back of the block? If they are, are you sure they're sticking out far enough?

BTW, yes...worn crank bearings can also cause it. I'm surprised you haven't seen front pump issues.

Frank
CPT

 

I have broken two flexplates... The first one was because when I was 17 I found out that if I let off the gas just before the car was going to shift in to 2nd durring part throttle acceleration and then hit the gas harder than it was already pressed right when the car was shifting in to 2nd it would roast the tires shifting in to 2nd at like 3800, lol. So stupid abuse is one reason.... The 2nd one was because my crank was "rocking" back and forth sort of and it bent and twisted the flexplate. So mechanical failure was the second reason.

 

That's what mine was the second time. The bearings being so worn, "spun", that the crank was actually rocking back and forth.