Clunk and shudder when putting the car in gear.

Post by **simonc** » Sun May 14, 2017 8:55 am

Morning all, this has been bugging me for a while, so I thought I'd better ask for some pointers. When I'm putting the car in gear, there is a real 'ka-thunk' that sends a huge shudder through the car, obviously originating from the front. Sometimes, especially if I've been waiting at traffic lights in neutral and select 'drive' it almost jumps forwards, such is the strength of the 'ka-thunk'.
In January 2016 I had a new rear engine mount fitted ( bought from Lings, genuine part, confirmed for an auto) so surely it can't be that. Can it?
Anyway, I'm going to see Jason tomorrow about it, but I'd like to be genned up with a list of things to troubleshoot. So if any of you guys can think of what it might be, or what we have to do to fix it, I would of course, be very grateful.
Thanks as ever, Si.

Edit: I forgot to add that when I was at the suspension place a couple of weeks ago, the bonnet was open as they drove the car onto the lift. When the mechanic put it into gear the whole engine seemed to rise up and move. Just thought I'd better add that.
Thanks.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sun May 14, 2017 10:13 am

Engine in a lude does rise/fall a fair bit on standard mounts, tbf.
Clearly you shouldn't get a thunk when going into gear though...
The front mount is the one that normally tears.

Post by **simonc** » Sun May 14, 2017 11:27 am

Thanks Iain. Yes, it does 'ka-thunk' which I was sure was not right.

Post by **simonc** » Sun May 14, 2017 12:29 pm

@wurlycorner, sorry to bother you again but I'd like to ask a couple of questions.
1: Will Jason be able to see the front mount on a jack or on his lift, or is it a major palaver to check its condition?
2: If it is that mount that's wonky, and because it'll be a while before I can get hold of a new one, can I use the fix that I've seen other guys here use? By that I mean I've seen (I think ) Nathan and Nick describe filling the mount with 'filler' of some kind. Would that offer a reasonable solution in the meantime, or is it creating a knock-on effect that'll annoy me even more?
If the 'filler' stuff is a reasonable quick fix, what brand/type is it, as I'll see if I can track it down over here.
Again, sorry to bother you personally, but I'd love to see Jason tomorrow with Plan A, B and C.
Thank you so very much. Si.

Max · Post by **Max** » Sun May 14, 2017 2:39 pm

The front mount is very easy to spot and get to so you'll be able to check the condition no problem. Its right there next to the exhaust heat shield, between the engine mount and the main rad fan.

The filler you are after is polyurethane, the same stuff used to make poly bushes etc, ive not had any experience with this stuff but it looks easy enough to do. You're going to want the soft end of the scale around 50A-60A. Also not sure where you get it from but id suggest you get googling if you're going to find it locally before tomorrow. Search for polyurethane filler for engine mounts and you'll find lots of hits explaining

Edit: Sorry i should add this is based on a 5th gen but i cant see it being any different on a 4th.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sun May 14, 2017 6:45 pm

Yep, as Max says.
The mount is easy to remove. Support the engine underneath with a Jack, unbolt and remove the bracket from the front of the engine, then unbolt and remove the mount.
Make a note of which holes the 3 bolts that secure the bracket to the engine - there are 2 different lengths and if you got the wrong one, you will end up bottoming out and shearing the bolt off on reassembly.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Sun May 14, 2017 8:49 pm

Filling the front mount with poly is a good upgrade and I would consider it to be a permanent solution of you do it. I filled mine with sikaflex 221 and it improves driveability no end.

Post by **simonc** » Mon May 15, 2017 1:17 am

Brilliant advice gentlemen. Thanks very much to you all. I'm really very grateful.

Post by **simonc** » Tue May 16, 2017 5:35 am

Quick update - went to about half a dozen hardware shops yesterday, but no one had the Sikaflax 221. However, Sika has a factory here so I'm going to give their head office a call today, and see if I can track down a tube. Fingers crossed.

Post by **simonc** » Mon May 22, 2017 7:57 am

Good news gents. The kind folks from Sika Malaysia are delivering some Sikaflex 221 to my office on Wednesday. In sexy black too. Grey is so yesterday.

More news and piccys perhaps, when I get down and dirty with Jason, filling my mounts with the lovely goo.