lovemytls

Two days ago I heard a loud pop when applying the brakes light to moderate pressure. At first it was hard to duplicate. Heavy accelleration would sometimes produce the pop and then braking would produce it again. Now its doing simply by backing out of a parking spot. I removed the wheels and placed the car on stands. First I checked for play in the suspension with a pry bar. Then checked for loose bolts, found none. So I "drove" the car on stands and was perplexed to say the least. When accellerating lightly to 40mph all was normal (just enough power to get to 40mph). When more power was used the transmission would convulse. It was very similar to driving a stick car with loose universal joints and tapping the gas pedal repeatedly. I looked under the car when this was happened only movement I could see was the tranny/engine. Also while reproducing the pop by using the brakes and a forward reverse action. Once I selected reverse and it stayed in drive(it stayed in drive for 30 seconds turning the wheels), yes I had stopped forward rotation before changing gears. When light throttle was applied it did jerk into reverse. Nice! thats all I have to say about that. I watched very carefully the action of the front suspension and brakes while reproducing the pop but could see no movement and the sound did not seem to originate from there. Also I would note that it takes momentum to produce the pop. Powerbraking the car in forward and reverse will not produce the pop. This to me would lessen the likelyhood of it being an engine mount.

This leads me to believe that I have either a transaxle or engine mount issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

RickRoush03

hmmmmm. maybe a cv joint, axle shaft or something rubbing? thats a dooesy right there!!

fsttyms1

So it needs momentum for it to happen? Ggrab the Half Shafts and see if there is play or movement in them? give them a good yank. Also have someone hold their foot on the brake put it in gear and slowly give it gas while you look at the engine. Look for excesive movement and listen to see if you can hear any thing

lovemytls

I would mention that the tranny staying in drive while shifted into reverse was not repeatable and probly not an issue.

As for axle play, I do not think its the problem there is no clicking or popping when turning. There is typical driveline play that can be heard by rocking the car in park.

One interesting not. The pop can be caused by moderate power applied in drive. Once forward momentum has achieved it will not pop again until brakes are applied. It popped once using engine braking using first gear from 30mph.


The more I think about it, I'm convincing myself its likely an engine mount.


Which one do you guys think it is? And how much do the parts cost?

fsttyms1

kinda sounds like its possible that its a mount, BUT mounts arent known for making any sound. Possibly the bracket that holds it? Try doing like i mentioned above and have some one help you.

lovemytls

Got it fixed. Radius arm bushing was the culprit. Its the bushing in the front cross member connected to the lower control arm by a rod $80.82 in parts and labor.

fsttyms1

loud_whispers

haha let me guess.. you had a transmission installed? right before the popping noise you heard right?

yeah, sometimes when they put the frame back in the car when overhauling the trans...the bushing pops out and they install it backwards..backwards looks like the "correct" way to install it, but its not.

I dont understand why they charged you if that's the case..

Ryons02TLTypeS

Its the engine mount... I have trhis issue now..... Its sounds like a thud sound...... My friend a mechinic sed it is one of the expense engine mount......

lovemytls

I had the car repaired at a private shop. I bought this car used so I don't know its history reguarding transmission replacements. But my guess is the issue was related and would have been repaired for free.

03CoupeV6

read the thread.

But the fact they take any parts of the frame out to remove the transmission is scary.