Trans Mount

[SHO13]

Hello,

I have a 93 MTX, I recently replaced both motor mounts with SHO NUT reinforced mounts. When I pulled the old mounts out, I found my rear mount had been broken. The front was still ok, but had been replaced about 5 years ago.

Upon inspection, I noticed a spot where the lower rear trans mount bolt had been cutting a notch out in my transmission case. Not sure if this was a symptom of the broken rear motor mount or not. Anyone seen this before?

The trans mount appears to be intact. If I jack up the trans (just a little), a hole/gap in the center of the mount appears. It looks like its part of the design (flex point), but no tears or anything. If the mount is not torn, is it still considered to be good even after 14 years and 180K?

UPDATE:

I just bought a 95 MTX with 97K and inspeced the trans mount. The air gap in the center of the mount appears to be normally open. In my 93, it appears collapsed. Is this air gap normally open? Any ideas on why the bolt is making swiss cheese of my trans case?

SHO13
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[Ishodu]

I don't remember seeing an air gap in mine. But I can tell you that if you are driving around with busted motor mounts that it puts a lot of stress on the trans mount and will cause it to fail over time.

 

[sdpatt]

The trans mount on my 1991 has the gap and is still intact after all the miles. I have been through several sets of front and rear motor mounts.

 

[SHObill]

Check the torque on the tranny mount bolts as if the rear tranny bolt is loose the upper mount brkt can rub on the case.

 

[SHO13]

Even though the mount doesn't have any tears in it, I think I'm going to replace it. I find it odd that on my 95 MTX, I can slide a decent size flat head screwdriver through the air gap and on my 93 it's completely collapsed. They are both orignal Ford mounts.

I'll check the torque on the the bolts but it really looks like the tranny might have been sitting just a bit lower on the collapsed mount. Add the broken rear motor mount and it might have let the tranny twist a bit more hitting the bolt.

I'll add some paint to the affected tranny area to see if it's still hitting.

Great video clip Scott.

Thanks,