bbowlin

I have an '01 DX with the 1.6 and manual with 30,000 miles. It recently started making a "rubbing " sound when I take off up a hill or a little aggressively. It sounds a little like a slipping clutch but the tach doesn't climb(away from the speedo) and I have never smelled the clutch. I have always smelled a slipping clutch on other vehicles.
I have read about problems with motor mounts and my top one has a crack running about 1/3 the way around it. Is it possible the motor is moving too much because of a cracked/ broken mount and putting something in the drivetrain in a bind?
The noise is getting louder and more frequent, starting to do it on level ground and just a little when I hit 2nd. Any ideas or recommendations are welcome. Thanks BB

kbow

I doubt it is a broken motor mount, Is it making more of a mid pitched chatter noise? where does it sound like its coming from? does it stop when you depress the clutch. Clarify a little more. Rubbing, it too general a noise to determine what your problem could be. My clutch went out at 80k with no warning, and no smell. Just started slipping at a stop light one day. 30k, i doubt its either the clutch or the engine mount, unless your a rally driver.

bbowlin

It is the front motor mount, down by the radiator, that has separated. The sound is from the exhaust hitting something. The motor looks like it is trying to dance the hula when revved up. I am considering an AWR mount and have read about people using one for an A/T even if they have a M/T. What is the difference in the two mounts and what is the advantage to using the A/T part? Thanks BB

kbow

lol, ok then. You must be a rough driver if youve already broken the front mount. Bye the way, if your considering the front mount broken because of the space you can feel at the top on the left side of the bushing, thats how its supposed to be.

bbowlin

kbow, Thanks for the heads-up on the top (front) motor mount, I thought it might be toast too. I'm not that hard on tht car as I have only drive it to work but I ran a carfax report on it and the previous owner had a front collision that popped the air bags. I'm guessing that helped shorten the life of the mount. Hope the AWR piece gets here soon, the thing is really starting to get loud. BB

bbowlin

Well, Installed the AWR front motor mount and the noise got louder. My mechanic friend was wrong about the motor mount being bad. Looked a little deeper and found the "cross member" that runs from below the firewall to the radiator support is nearly touching the bottom of the trans and there is a shiny spot on the trans. FOUND IT Nothing a pry bar couldn't fix. I have been lifting the car for oil changes by placing the jack under this member. Now I need some help. Where can I lift the car without causing damage under there. I have a set of ramps but the bumper hits before the tires even get close to it. Thanks BB