Problem when shifting into reverse

tw1st3d_cl0wn · Post by **tw1st3d_cl0wn** » March 2nd, 2005, 10:43 am

I bought a 95 automatic RS about 2 months ago, it's got only 88k miles on it. Lately I'm having problems switching into reverse after the car has warmed up. When I intitally start my car, like in the morning, it shifts into reverse fine, but after the car as warmed up, it takes a second to switch and when it does, the car jolts violently. On my old car, it did something similar to this because my engine mounts were busted, but it occured all the time, when switching into reverse, or first gear. This time, it only happens when the car has warmed up, and been driven. Any ideas on why this would happen would be appreciated.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 2nd, 2005, 10:49 am

Off the top of my head.. I would say the filter inside the trans needs to be changed. Probably not letting fluid flow quite right so it takes a moment for everything to move around. Also.. I have a 94 with the ATX and my motor mounts are shot (result of the previous owner running the car with a burned valve for 20k + Miles.. very rough idle) and I have noticed intial gear selection to hit pretty hard, from what I am seeing happen under the hood.. the top motor mount is flexing far more than it should. I am pretty sure this is adding to the issue.

Tunes67

tw1st3d_cl0wn · Post by **tw1st3d_cl0wn** » March 2nd, 2005, 11:09 am

Tunes67 wrote:Off the top of my head.. I would say the filter inside the trans needs to be changed. Probably not letting fluid flow quite right so it takes a moment for everything to move around. Also.. I have a 94 with the ATX and my motor mounts are shot (result of the previous owner running the car with a burned valve for 20k + Miles.. very rough idle) and I have noticed intial gear selection to hit pretty hard, from what I am seeing happen under the hood.. the top motor mount is flexing far more than it should. I am pretty sure this is adding to the issue.

Tunes67

Well hopefully it's the filter, I just bought a tranny cooler, and some fluid and a filter. I have no idea when it was last changed, so I'm going to do that, and I read that a cooler is a really good thing to install so I'm doing that as well. When I first felt the jump when switching into reverse, I immediately thought about my old car and the motor mounts, but that car was such a headache, and I have such bad memories from that car that I didn't even want to think about it, lol. But thanks for the advice, I'll definitely take a closer look at the mounts.

tw1st3d_cl0wn · Post by **tw1st3d_cl0wn** » March 8th, 2005, 9:15 am

I don't know if this is a dumb question or not, but I have to ask it. How do I check my motor mounts to see if they need to be replaced? Will it be something visual where I will immediately see if they're busted? Last time I had to replace motor mounts (on a different car) a mechanic happened to catch it. So...yeah...any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » March 8th, 2005, 10:11 am

Its not easy to inspect the bottom ones.. but the top one is easy to watch.. have someone in the car shift it into reverse while you are looking at the top motor mount (its on the passenger side) If the engine moves front to back more than say an inch or so.. the mount is flexing too much. The top mount can be easily replaced. I am going to replace this mount on my car myself soon and see how much it affects the flexing of the engine.. The bottom two mounts will have to wait a bit as cash dictates

You could have a reputable shop check the bottom two.. or you could climb under and see if you can see any wear in the rubber bushings.

Tunes67