Not so good vibrations...

[Whoru465]

So, I'm sitting in my car this morning at a stoplight and I notice she is shuddering. Not like a mis-fire, and no rev change...Just shuddering. When I got to work I popped the hood and took a look. While idling in park, nothing seems out of place, but when I added some throttle, the engine rocked about an inch or so. I know there is supposed to be slight movement, but this seemed a little too much. Not so good I am guessing....
I think it may be the true culprit to what I thought was a suspension issue. That is, when going at slow speeds and moving over variations in the road, I feel a bumping under my feet, like there is something loose and floating in the engine compartment. Thought it might be a strut, etc. Again, not so good... So I guess my question boils down to this:

How do I confirm I have a bad motor/tranny mounts? Can I tell by visual inspection?

I humbly ask those more knowing of things SVX to shine their knowledge down.... Thanks

[TomsSVX]

both of my svx motors move a great deal. the reason is the liquid motor mounts are squishier than solid ones. This movement is normal as long as it is not hitting anything. Might want to check your tire pressure. If you are overinflated, the car will tend to bounce all over the place.

[Whoru465]

Then perhaps my problem is transmission mount related, as well as suspension related. Oh the hits just keep on coming folks

Thanks for the idea but I check my tire pressure often so I don't think that the issue lies with that. There is definately something loose in my drivetrain... I am just afraid to bring it to anyone that doesn't know what they're doing. The search continues

[nsm484]

I have a problem like this as well...
cept mine will shudder in idle, in D, in N it doesnt.....

Also.... every little freakin bump i hit, feels like im hitting a small
curb... is it possable that all 4 of my struts went at once?

Also, How long would my svx last like this, as its my Daily Driver

[n00b on demand]

There are times when after i hit a big pothole the left front wheel will feel loose and feel like its hitting my left leg anytime i go over a small bump. I was told a bushing keeps moving out of place because after a day that noise and feeling goes away and the struts and ride feels brand new. Kinda weird. If i have my SVX in park and rev it the car will move....happened to my dads suby wagon long time ago...ive only seen it happen to subaru's. So far ive seen this on 4 subarus. My moms accord will move a little too when revving it rough but it doesnt move like the SVX does.

[Whoru465]

Originally posted by soobiesvx93
There are times when after i hit a big pothole the left front wheel will feel loose and feel like its hitting my left leg anytime i go over a small bump.....

Yes, thats exactly what it feels like So I have bad bushings? I was thinking along those lines...Thanks man!

[Earthworm]

I'm betting motor/tranny mounts.

as an OT, I tried searching Good Vibrations on Google...wasn't expecting the responses I did

(although maybe I should have)

[n00b on demand]

Originally posted by Earthworm
I'm betting motor/tranny mounts.

as an OT, I tried searching Good Vibrations on Google...wasn't expecting the responses I did

(although maybe I should have)

hahaha

[n00b on demand]

Originally posted by Whoru465


Yes, thats exactly what it feels like So I have bad bushings? I was thinking along those lines...Thanks man!

Does it come and then go away after a day or so? Happened to me in may and then went away after about 3 days....then again this august and went away after a day. Happened last week after i hit a pothole and went away about 2 days later. I was told if the bushing pops out of place that will happen...when it gets knocked back into place then it goes away. I have no idea if thats correct but its the only thing that makes sense to me as if it was bad struts or mounts i would think it would be more consistent.

[n00b on demand]

Ill try to describe the noise....basically sounds like you have no strut mounts....loud loud clunk i guess. Almost the same noise ya get when you knock your hand on window. If you have your left foot on the rest pedal or whatever its called you can feel the wheel hitting the road. But then when it all goes back to normal the struts feel brand new and better than ever. Its the weirdest thing.

[nsm484]

Originally posted by soobiesvx93
Ill try to describe the noise....basically sounds like you have no strut mounts....loud loud clunk i guess. Almost the same noise ya get when you knock your hand on window. If you have your left foot on the rest pedal or whatever its called you can feel the wheel hitting the road. But then when it all goes back to normal the struts feel brand new and better than ever. Its the weirdest thing.

Now... Mine DOESNT go away... so could it be my Strut Mounts?

BTW... mine doesnt roll when I rev the engine in Park

[Whoru465]

I never got a notification that you replied Soobie, but yes I can feel it on the rest pedal but I don't really get any noise...Hmm.. and it never goes back to normal...The plot thickens

[TomsSVX]

check the sway bars that connect to the struts. i think its called strut stabilizer, mine was loose and caused a knock whenever i hit a bump or turned the wheel to the extreme ends. simple tightening and she was fixed

[n00b on demand]

Hmm i dunno guys. I dont think its strut mounts. Those things give u warning ahead of time that their on the way out. You will notice the ride getting uncomfortable and it will increase. This happenes to me out of nowhere. I think its bushings.

[Beav]

I've never seen a bushing go 'out of place' and then back 'in place'. When your engine is vibrating try placing the car in reverse and slightly goose the throttle with your foot on the brake. If the vibration goes away you probably have a bad engine mount. The mounts are hydraulic, having a small shock absorber inside of them (so to speak.) When the mount begins to go bad they sometimes drag inside and not settle properly. They will also begin to 'sink' or 'collapse' allowing them to mainly rest against their travel limiter flanges, basically resulting in a 'no cushioning' position.