We already know that an automatic transmission is a very complicated device. But what we don’t usually think about is, how the transmission bolts to the vehicle itself. This is done through a part known as the transmission mount, which is designed to cushion vehicle occupants from the vibrations of the transmission’s operation. It also cushions the transmission from road vibrations, which is very important if you want your transmission to last. So let’s take a closer look at the most common bad transmission mount symptoms, that way you know what you’re looking at.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What is a transmission mount?
Not only do transmission mounts make things more comfortable for the driver, they also protect all of the moving parts inside the transmission from the shock and vibration that comes from the road and chassis flex. They are located at each point that the transmission and vehicle come into contact with one another. Otherwise the transmission would be subjected to severe metal-on-metal vibrations. The outside of the transmission mount is usually made from steel, while the inside contains a hard rubber or urethane material. In the middle of that is an attaching point, allowing the transmission to use the soft inner material as a cushion.
Symptoms of a broken transmission mount
- Excessive vibration and noise
- Chassis flex
- Difficulty putting the transmission in gear
- Excessive vibration and noise
Since the transmission mount is the point of contact between the gearbox and the vehicle, it’s not unusual to experience unusual vibrations and loud thumping or bang noises from the transmission. This is your car’s way of telling you that it’s experiencing transmission mount failure.
Chassis flex
A vehicle’s drivetrain is a key component in the rigidity of its chassis. If a transmission mount fails, the whole vehicle may twist or flex as it’s going down the road or around corners. Not only is this a disconcerting feeling, it puts strain on the driveshaft/CV joints. It also puts unneeded stress on the engine mounts, all of which are not cheap to fix.
Difficulty putting the transmission in gear
If the transmission has moved out of position because of broken transmission mounts, it may be difficult to put the vehicle in gear. This is because the shift linkage is not in the correct position. Continuing to drive the vehicle with bad transmission mounts is going to cause permanent damage to the shift linkage, along with other parts of the vehicle.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Conclusion
Bad transmission mounts not only make for an uncomfortable driving experience, they can lead to more expensive problems if they are left unrepaired. You may not only experience the problems we mentioned above, it’s likely that the transmission will suffer internal damage as well. So if you want to save money in the long run, it’s in your financial best interest to replace that broken transmission mount ASAP. To find a repair shop in your area that can help you with this, click here.
