If your car shakes more than usual, makes clunking sounds during shifts, or feels off when accelerating, don’t ignore it—these can be signs your engine or transmission mounts are wearing out. These mounts don’t just hold everything in place; they absorb vibration, reduce noise, and help keep the engine and transmission aligned with the frame. When one starts to fail, it doesn’t take long before the rest of the vehicle starts to feel it.
Mount failures won’t leave you stranded right away, but they can cause extra stress on your drivetrain and lead to more expensive issues if you don’t address them on time.
What Engine and Transmission Mounts Do
Your engine and transmission are mounted to your vehicle’s frame with a combination of rubber and metal brackets. These mounts are designed to secure heavy components while absorbing the constant movement and vibration from the engine and road.
Rubber helps dampen vibration, while the metal parts hold everything in place. In some modern vehicles, hydraulic mounts are used, which include fluid to further reduce vibration. Regardless of the design, they’re built to last—but they don’t last forever.
Heat, age, and stress from aggressive driving or poor road conditions can wear them out, especially in warmer regions like Liberty, TX, where under-hood temperatures run high year-round.
Early Symptoms of Worn-Out Mounts
One of the first signs of a failing mount is excessive vibration inside the cabin. You might feel it more when the car is idling, or when shifting into gear. If the rubber part of the mount is cracked or deteriorated, it can’t cushion movement properly, so vibrations travel through the frame and into the steering wheel, pedals, or seats.
You may also hear clunks, bangs, or jolts when shifting from park to drive or reverse. That’s the engine or transmission physically moving more than it should. As the mounts lose their grip, the components shift slightly under torque—which can feel and sound rough.
In manual cars, you might notice rough gear changes or hear odd noises when letting off the clutch. In automatics, jerky shifting or delayed engagement can also point to mount issues.
Visual Clues and Movement Tests
If you pop the hood and have someone shift from park to drive while you hold the brake, you might actually see the engine rock more than it should. A large movement from front to back is a clear indication the mounts are no longer holding as tightly as they should.
Sometimes, broken mounts will show visible cracks in the rubber, signs of fluid leaking (from hydraulic mounts), or metal brackets that appear off-center. However, not all damage is visible without removing parts, which is why a professional inspection is usually needed to confirm.
Don't Wait to Replace Them
Driving with worn mounts puts extra strain on your engine and transmission—not to mention your exhaust, cooling hoses, and axles. That constant shifting can cause other parts to wear out faster or break entirely.
Letting the problem go too long can also damage the transmission, especially if the alignment shifts or torque isn’t being absorbed correctly. In severe cases, you could snap a motor mount completely, leaving the engine unstable or even making the car undrivable.
What the Repair Involves
Replacing engine or transmission mounts is a straightforward job when done by a professional, but it does require the right equipment. The engine needs to be supported safely while the mounts are removed and replaced.
Once installed, a test drive ensures everything feels solid again—no more clunks, jerks, or excess vibration. Many drivers are surprised by how much smoother their car feels after the repair.
Even if your car still runs with worn mounts, it won’t feel right. And the longer it’s ignored, the more expensive the fix becomes.
From subtle vibrations to loud clunks, Hometown Tire and Auto in Liberty, TX, will make your vehicle feel solid and secure again. Call today to schedule a full inspection.