Loose Transmission Mount Bolt (post-recall)!?!

MidwestSpeed3 · 06-30-2008, 08:50 PM

So I started hearing some extra clunking when shifting the past few days, more than what I had been led to believe was normal. Something told me to check the tranny mount bolt just to make sure, even though I had the recall done last year.

So I pulled the battery and everything and checked the bolt. At first, I thought it was stripped because I just kept tightening it and it seemed as if nothing was happening. Finally though it tightened. I couldn't believe how loose it was!! So I put everything back together and went for a drive and I couldn't believe how much smoother and quiet the tranny is.

I have been having issues the past 2 times at the track with missing gears where it felt like it was locking me out. Since the issues at the track, I have been having very frequent issues when sitting at a light and trying to put it into first and being locked out.

I am not sure if this loose bolt could be the culprit, but I am amazed at how quiet and smooth it is immediately after tightening. If you have and tranny noise or have issues being locked out of gears, it is definitely worth your time to check this bolt. I will post updates in the next day or two once I have driven a few more miles.

MadOzodi · 06-30-2008, 08:53 PM

Good thing you caught it!!!

surfwagon · 06-30-2008, 08:58 PM

I've been hearing some weird noises and was planning on checking that. Thanks.

subparpunk03 · 06-30-2008, 09:38 PM

Yup... seems like this is showing up more and more. I had the recall work done and still had the damn bolt break and dump the engine out.

Tightening this bolt is now part of my regular maintenance. I wonder if there's anything we can do to fix this? Maybe use a TON of loctite or something?

Grim · 07-01-2008, 06:30 AM

What kind of clunking is it.does it make the sound everytime you go over a bump?I think you might have found the sound to my mystery noise im getting.Also can you take out the bolt and put locktite on it? or do you have to support the tranny?

Haltech · 07-01-2008, 06:32 AM

When in doubt, weld it.. No, kidding, but seriously.

Hopefully AWR or someone will make us a better mount.

JimmyMac · 07-01-2008, 07:03 AM

Get a marker and mark the bottom and top of the bolt. This way you can see if it moved at all. Marking the bottom of the bolt is kinda hard. But once done, you can check to see if it moved while you are doing an oil change. I did this with the original bolt when I first bought the car. And just a few weeks ago I finally did my recall. So I have to do this with the new bolt.

subparpunk03 · 07-01-2008, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Grim

What kind of clunking is it.does it make the sound everytime you go over a bump?I think you might have found the sound to my mystery noise im getting.Also can you take out the bolt and put locktite on it? or do you have to support the tranny?

Mine was clunking first thing in the morning when I backed out of my parking space. It didn't start clunking regularly until just before my post-recall bolt failed. The sound I heard was very clearly coming from the front of the car on the drivers side, but it was hard to duplicate.

After getting the bolt replaced again i still heard the clunk, took it back and they found that my stock engine mount had torn (that was in when it failed the delrin wasn't) and that the donut gasket on the exhaust was causing the noise. So those are some other things to check.

You'll have to support the engine if you remove the bolt, otherwise it will fall down and break things.

Hypnotized · 07-01-2008, 04:59 PM

I just brought my car back to the dealer last week to find out the same thing as you did. All they did was tighten it up and added some loctite. I guess I should be checking this more frequently.

surfwagon · 07-01-2008, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Grim

What kind of clunking is it.does it make the sound everytime you go over a bump?I think you might have found the sound to my mystery noise im getting.Also can you take out the bolt and put locktite on it? or do you have to support the tranny?

My clunk--> When the car is at operating temp only I get a squeak as I let the clutch out and it engages. Or when coasting in first and barely rolling and I tap the gas and it squeaks. BTW, I checked the #4 mount and it's fine.

Shanems3 · 07-01-2008, 09:04 PM

buddy just had his break, it took out his CV shaft too.. and his is an 08, Mazda engineer from cali is comming look at it this week. ill keep ya guys posted.

cosmicspd3 · 07-01-2008, 09:55 PM

geez, ill be checking this when i install the turbo inlet pipe as all that junk will be of the car for that install anyway. i dont hear a clunk yet but ill mark the bolt for future reference.

samsel450r · 07-03-2008, 12:47 AM

my car has started making a clicking noise like 3 clicks when i take off from a stop and in between gears and its coming from the front drivers side wheel area i think it might be the cv axle... but it dont do it when i turn an stuff unless im taking off an driving normal.. so i think ima check that tranns mount bolt like u guys are saying cause its never been check

Fobio · 07-03-2008, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by MidwestSpeed3

I have been having issues the past 2 times at the track with missing gears where it felt like it was locking me out. Since the issues at the track, I have been having very frequent issues when sitting at a light and trying to put it into first and being locked out.

^^^zact same issue...I'll have my mechanic look at it in detail next time I'm in...thanks for the heads-up!

samsel450r · 07-04-2008, 02:03 PM

so i checked mine last night and it was tight... so im prolly gonna go take it to the dealer sometime and see if they will fix it

silversurfer3 · 07-04-2008, 03:37 PM

holy shit im glad you found out what it was i have the same problem and its been getting worse mine is so bad i dont even think i have a bolt there anymore to tighten

Meder · 07-07-2008, 07:26 PM

I checked mine today as well, and it was tight, i do not have a torque wrench that goes up to 115, but 80 and a lot of pulling it would not move.

My transmission mount looks kinda of off, it seems to have these holes facing the front of the car and the rear. At first I thought it was ripped, but it was just extra rubber/whatever from the mount itself. When I checked another speeds trans mount, it did not look like this that I remember.

Are the 08 and 08.5 mounts diffrent? Pictures tomorrow...