Broken Transmission mount?

[deathegg]

Hi everyone,
Well, in addition to the front engine cradle mount coming off (and sitting on the sway bar),
Now it appears I have a broken trans mount. It hear that clunking noise when taking off from a stop, and also going into 2nd gear. Does not do it going into 3rd or 4th.

Anyhow, this is not good!

I have a friend who may be able to fabricate and weld some metal for the front cradle mount under the radiator, but how about that rear mount? I did a search and did not find the answers I was looking for.

1). I need a pic of the rear mount as it sits in the car, since I have no idea what it looks like, and my car is very greasy underneath.

2). Is it actually necessary to replace it? Will it do any harm if I don't fix it? (this is assuming I do get the cradle mount fixed)

3). How hard is it to do? If I have to support the engine in some way, and actually remove the cradle, it will not be possible for me to do it, and it seems like an expensive job to pay for. Keep in mind:
I have just a basic set of hand tools and wrenches here in CA, and thats it.
No engine hoist, etc to use.
No place to work on the car!
My car cannot be out of commission for longer than 2 days.

So, can this broken mount be welded back together or supported in some other way? I figure since he's under the car welding me up a new mount, why can't he weld this thing back together? My friend is a very experienced welder, and can literally weld anything.

It just has to last me a few more months, until I get back to PA (and I have that cross-country drive to worry me), and then I'll be getting a newer car. But it has to last 6 more months!!

If it sounds like I'm upset and worried, it's 'cause I am!

Thanks everyone for any help you can provide.
Mark

[Damkid]

I'm going to assume its the rear trans mount thats broke? if so they are not hard to change

use a jack to support the motor/trans
remove the 2 rear crossmember bolts
remove the nut holding the mount to the crossmember
lower the rear of the crossmember
remove the 2 bolts holding the mount to the tranny
remove the mount itself

installation is just the opposite

it can be done in probably an hour or two and should be done, its not a good thing driving with a bad mount

i'll get a pic of the rear mount in a few minutes

[Damkid]

here's a pic of a rear tranny mount

[deathegg]

Thanks for the pic Damkid. I actually don't know if it's the rear mount, but I didn't even know what to look for, so that's why I needed the pic. I think it's the rear mount, by the clunking sound it makes when I go from a stop.

So, I have a jack (a small floor jack), But I'm pretty sure it's not big enough to support the engine.
Also, where do I support it from ? Certainly I don't put the jack under the oil pan?

That's why I asked about just welding it back together if it cracked. It seems like a great deal of work and/or money to replace it, and I know I don't have the tools/time/work area in which to do it. It's a shame, because I know the mount is cheap, but getting it in would be next to impossible, and like I said, paying a shop to do it will be $$$

Assuming I get the front cradle welded up, what is the harm of letting it be and not fixing it?

[deathegg]

Well, looking at my shop manuals makes it look clearer to me. My official Ford manual doesn't have a procedure for replacing the mounts, although it has some clear drawings on how they are connected and arranged. The Haynes manual has the procedure.

Q: are the front and rear mounts the same? It doesn't look all that hard I guess.
Also, when replacing the mount, am I replacing the entire mount or just the rubber part?
It almost seems in the Haynes manual that I would just be replacing the rubber insulator.

[Damkid]

you can put a floor jack (even a small one) directly on the tranny it won't hurt it, you'd want it on the tranny side because its a tranny mount your replacing

you can't replace just the rubber, you'd need to change the whole piece (what i took a picture of)

the front mount is totally different and normally the front mount does not break apart like the rear ones do, (i've seen multiple rear tranny mounts fall apart and no front)

they are very easy to replace, and once you get into it you'll see what i mean