shifting problems

[fremmy182]

i have a 00 pontiac grand prix gtp and when i start the car and shift into reverse or drive it clunks very harshly. Then theres other times it does it smooth. Im confused what could be causing this. I have a 130k miles and i changed the tranny fluid at 100k. Anyone have any ideas? thanks

 

[BillBoost37]

That is typicaly motor mounts. Give them a check over and let us know what you find.

 

[fremmy182]

the top motor mounts? or the lower one. I actually do have shorter dog bones but i cant tilt the engine back far enough to get the bolts through.. Do you guys have any tricks. i even tried to pry the engine forward with a 2x4 and that wasnt enough

 

[FordMan77]

Lower ones, it's usually the engine mount (under the balancer area) and the trans mount on the drivers side. I'd bet if you leave the hood open and look at the motor when you shift into R or D you will see the engine move quite a bit. If the mounts are covered in a greasy goo, then they're done for.

 

[fremmy182]

how do i replace the lower engine/tranny mount. i dont have an engine hoist

 

[winterstorm]

wait a minute, did u say that you can bolt the engine into the dogbones? so those arent even attached to the engine?

 

[Anthony Smith]

I would check the lower control arm bolts too. My car was clunking like crazy going from forward to reverse for the longest time and I could never figure out why, even after new wheel bearings, cv axles and building the trans it still made the same noise and it turned out to be a loose control arm bolt.