2002 sxt very bad engine or trans vibration
I have a quick update and a question. As I mentioned in my previous post, my top torque strut mount was broken (and this is the second time that mount broke). I replaced it this weekend, and adjusted it so that it was as far forward (away from the firewall as possible). Driving the last few days, the terrible vibration sound is gone. Occassionally, when I go over dips in the road I get a little bit of the vibration sound, like briann510 mentioned in his earlier post. My question is, if my middle engine mount on the passenger side is indeed bad, could that cause the torque strut mounts to break?
A broken torque strut will cause the motor mount to go bad.
Here's something I typed in another thread:
There is also this:
Here's something I typed in another thread:
Yes, they [torque struts] go bad quite often "just because." It is a very poor design for the whole set-up. Here's what happens. The two torque struts (the upper and lower mounts on the engine side) will wear as they keep the engine and transmission from rocking (or torquing, hence "torque" struts) back and forth. They have some play in them as there are "gaps" in the rubber, so they wear even quicker because of that. Once those wear out [or break], the engine and transmission can now rock back and forth which will cause those mounts [motor and transmission] to wear and tear too, literally.
You may also want to check into these torque strut inserts: http://www.modernperformance.com/pro...t4-p-1131.html
I have the black, "street" version. It does transfer a bit of vibration into the cab (not that I can tell the difference ATM anyways because of my broken mount -> the steering wheel is a jackhammer anyways), but it will make the torque struts last much longer. The torque struts have holes in the mold, and these inserts fill in those holes. Without them, they can rock (torque, hence the name) back and forth causing them to tear and fail. By filling in the blanks, if you will, it keeps them from doing that pretty much eliminating most wear as far as that theory goes. No reason, or way IMO, that they could tear. Worthwhile investment IMO if you can handle the bit of vibration you'll get from them.
Just a thought...


I have the black, "street" version. It does transfer a bit of vibration into the cab (not that I can tell the difference ATM anyways because of my broken mount -> the steering wheel is a jackhammer anyways), but it will make the torque struts last much longer. The torque struts have holes in the mold, and these inserts fill in those holes. Without them, they can rock (torque, hence the name) back and forth causing them to tear and fail. By filling in the blanks, if you will, it keeps them from doing that pretty much eliminating most wear as far as that theory goes. No reason, or way IMO, that they could tear. Worthwhile investment IMO if you can handle the bit of vibration you'll get from them.
Just a thought...


Last edited by darthroush; Oct 26, 2010 at 11:32 AM. Reason: Added a quote...
Thanks for info on the inserts, darthroush. I was actually asking the opposite question, however - i.e., if the middle passenger side mount is bad, will it cause the torque strut mounts to go bad faster? I'm just trying to gauge how soon I have to change the middle mount, because I'm dredding it after reading these posts.
Well in my op if one strut goes bad the others will soon go bad so thats why its good to change all at once only in my op seeing my sxt has over 188,000 miles and never have changed mine and mine is having awful problems shaking and so.
Thanks for info on the inserts, darthroush. I was actually asking the opposite question, however - i.e., if the middle passenger side mount is bad, will it cause the torque strut mounts to go bad faster? I'm just trying to gauge how soon I have to change the middle mount, because I'm dredding it after reading these posts.
Yeah My husband is going to change the middle mount one tommorrow or friday and put both the inserts in and do the other mounts the next week . Going to the timing belt and other stuff also.
Thanks very much for the input, darthroush and showsxt. Since all the others have been changed recently, I guess I really should do the middle mount now..... *sigh* ......not looking forward to it. Let me know how it goes, showsxt.


