Bad transmission, mount, or something else?

[SpeedySolara]

When I put my car in reverse I get a big jolt, usually at startup but throughout the day sometimes I get a subtle/minor movement. Additionally, when changing gears (automatic) I feel a minor jolt but sometimes I don't feel it at all. There doesn't seem to be any slippage or hesitation in the response of the transmission. When I downshift I do get a jolt but it really depends on the RPM range on how hard it'll be. My guess is its one of the mounts but I wouldn't know which one needs replacing or if its another issue altogether. Could someone please point me in the right direction on what the issue might be? Thank you in advance.

[Brandoe91]

Check the bushing of all the mounts

1) The start with the dogbone as it is easiest one to see and replace. (right side passenger strut)

2) Take off the passenger side wheel or turn it all the way to where you can see the rear mount, the bushing should be solid and the bolt in the middle should be centered.

3) If those two are good most likely it's the front mount. To check this by using something (block or jack)to hold the engine up, next pull the bolt above the front mount, there will be a metal piece sticking out of the mount, shake side to side, if it's really loose replace it.

4)I doubt its the tranny mount but check to be sure.( it rests on the subframe behind the driver side wheel

I have the same prob in my es300. The dogmount and the rear mount was recently replaced but I still have the heavy jolt when i shift to reverse, so it cud be that my front and/or tranny mount were bad as well.

Note: If you do have to replace any of the mounts, it's best to get it from dealer if you can afford to. I am tired of those cheap bushing/mounts on ebay, they don't last long.check all mounts because if 2 are bad and only one is replaced. The one replaced will most likely break again.done blabbing now

[ThurzNite]

How's your tranny fluid?
Dr J

[SpeedySolara]

I did a transmission flush at the dealership roughly 3 months ago.

[PaulR]

Mine does this as well to a certain extent. I haven't investigated this issue or checked the mounts at all. How many miles does yours have on it?

[SpeedySolara]

Mine does this as well to a certain extent. I haven't investigated this issue or checked the mounts at all. How many miles does yours have on it?

Like 110K. If you do fix yours, please let me know what mount/part you replaced. Thank you.

[PaulR]

Mine does this as well to a certain extent. I haven't investigated this issue or checked the mounts at all. How many miles does yours have on it?

Like 110K. If you do fix yours, please let me know what mount/part you replaced. Thank you.

Will do. Please let me know if you fix yours what the problem was.

I have 204K on mine. I have to do an oil change soon and so I think I will drain and refill the transmission to see if it helps. I know of only one strut (passenger side) replaced on the car in the past, haven't had it for too long.

[scdsolara619]

Mine is doing something similar (intermittently). If I shift from park into Rev or Drive it engages really harsh, like a jolt. Also while driving and on upshifts only it will kick/jolt a little, but never on downshifts for me. But I've also been trying to fugure out my long term problem with the speedo dropping to "0" while driving and check engine light coming on (P0500 - Speed Sensor Circuit). I was thinking that my intermittent trans jolts may be related to that to a certain extent.

[S.Z.-Alpha]

You know, it happens to me as well, and in the old cars I have driven with automatics, it's possibly the torque converter being too loose. What I do to stop the jolts is to shift to the gear youre going to then quickly put it to neutral right before it engages to the gear youre going to and then put it on the gear your going to run on. I think it's a matter of slippage. Everytime so I wouldnt get that jolt when reversing I do this P >R>RIGHT BEFORE IT ENGAGES> N > R (Run) = No jolt.

[SpeedySolara]

Quick update...its my rear mount. I haven't replaced it yet but when I do I'll let you guys know if the jolt went away. By the way, do any of you have a P0420 code?

[PaulR]

Quick update...its my rear mount. I haven't replaced it yet but when I do I'll let you guys know if the jolt went away. By the way, do any of you have a P0420 code?

Hey SpeedySolara,

I just responded to your other thread for the P0420 code. I actually just had my transmission rebuilt and it does the same thing. Apparently, the only thing that can be adjusted to help the issue is the transmission kick down cable, which adjusts line pressure. Please let me know if the rear mount solves the issue. We have two other (newer) Toyotas in my family, and they all jolt somewhat into reverse.

[Brandoe91]

Check the front mount when replacing the rear. Bad front mount with new rear mount = all bad mounts in a couple months .

Quick update...its my rear mount. I haven't replaced it yet but when I do I'll let you guys know if the jolt went away. By the way, do any of you have a P0420 code?