Clunk During Acceleration In Gear, No pops during turns... ideas?

[DJStillman]

Hi all,

1991 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5 3 speed 131,000 miles.

Have been getting clunk noises going straight and acclerating from standstill. Some straightaway shifts are jerkier, too.

Well, since I do not have any discernable popping during turns, I have discounted CV joints. Sound about right?

I changed my transmission fluid several months ago, and it feels like it is shifting right, and not slipping.

So, I have started thinking that this is my engine mounts. Sound right? Have purchased all 3 mounts in anticipation.

So, how do I find out if my mounts are bad? Will Anchor-made Parts Master mounts with LLT Warranty be ok?

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc., are welcome.

Thanks

David

 

[seotaji]

I know you mentioned that you changed the fluid earlier, but have you checked the level since then?

You can check your engine mounts by having a person look at the engine while you press the brake and accelerator at the same time. if the engine moves too much (maybe an inch or more?) then it's the mounts.

 

[Ken42]

Engine mounts is what I thought when I first read your post. Don't know what LLT warranty is but I don't think engine mounts would be covered.

Have fun putting in those mounts especially if you just got the center pieces you will need a big hammer and something to squeaze the front center mount.

 

[DJStillman]

Fluid level is fine, color and smell good.

LLT means Limited LifeTime Warranty.

My motor does shift a bit when going into gear. When I remove the mount, what am I looking for?

Thanks for all of your help.

David

 

[Ken42]

You will see that the rubber is torn or detoriated.
Can you move the engine by hand? If so they are probably bad. Also when you put the mounts back in leave all 3 lose until they are all done or you will have troubles. Also I don't remember the spec you will have to look it up but make sure the drive shafts are the proper length if wrong they will go bad.

Ken

 

[oldmoparguy]

quote:

---

Originally posted by DJStillman:
Hi all,

1991 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5 3 speed 131,000 miles.

Have been getting clunk noises going straight and acclerating from standstill. Some straightaway shifts are jerkier, too.

Well, since I do not have any discernable popping during turns, I have discounted CV joints. Sound about right?

I changed my transmission fluid several months ago, and it feels like it is shifting right, and not slipping.

So, I have started thinking that this is my engine mounts. Sound right? Have purchased all 3 mounts in anticipation.

So, how do I find out if my mounts are bad? Will Anchor-made Parts Master mounts with LLT Warranty be ok?

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc., are welcome.

Thanks

David

---

Hi David,

Odds are, it's the front mount. You have about the right mileage for the mount to go. I've had to replace that mount on 5 of the 6 FWD mopars that
that I own.

I've never seen a bad left side, (drivers side), mount. When the right side mount goes, it usually
don't make any noise. When it fails, it will fall down a half inch or so, an you will notice an increase in engine viberation, an sometimes, it will allow the engine to shift to the right which will cause the left driveshaft to fail, usually on the inner cv joint.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Wayne

 

[Gary Allan]

I had a "clunk" in my 3.0 mitsu Caravan (92) ..for years(lierally about 4 or 5). Never could figure it out. It would sound like exhaust one time ..like something in the front end others. Never anything consistant. I had it up on the lift and noticed that the CV joint boots were ripped and leaking whatever was liquified and left from them. So I got the shafts replaced. My wrench noticed that they mounts were loose. I said, I'm going on vacation ...I'm driving only 350 miles and I'm parking it and then returning a week later. We got about 150 miles before the short side CV on the reman unit failed (started wobbling) due to the lame angle that the bad mm's and t-mount allowed. The parts house warranted the shaft.

 

[eljefino]

Like others said, do make sure you center the motor when you're done with the new mounts, or it'll screw up the half-axles.