Right now I am in my car on my laptop in my garage, jammin' out to Pink Floyd, trying to regain my sanity lol. I have a 3 yr/36k mi warranty on this car, and I took it in to the shop earlier today to try to get them to diagnose the noise in the front end. He said he wasn't sure what it was, and would have to charge $55.00 an hour to figure it out, even though that'* never happened before with the brake or transmission issues. He explained to me that he needs to be paid just like I do, and then I explained to him that that'* what the $1,200.00 warranty was for. I got kind of pissed and just told him that I was capable of taking two wheels off and checking out the steering and that I would just take it home and do diagnose it myself.

It'* here, the wheels are off, and the brake disc quiet is drying on the pads. Now atleast my brakes won't squeel... but I can't figure out for the life of me where this clunk/knocking noise is coming from in the steering. It'* most noticeable when I'm reversing with the wheel cut hard and I touch the brakes. I was figuring it would be something simple, like a bad tie rod end or something, but they look fine. When you take the wheel and turn it from the outside, it seems as tight as can be. It'* actually pretty stiff. Even when the wheels are off the ground, the steering wheel is a good bit easier to turn with motor running. Only thing I found down there that was interesting was this mount:








It'* shot... right? Transmission shop just replaced the transmission twice, so I wouldn't doubt it was due to that. And... since it'* under warranty, I'm kind of pissed they didn't say anything about it. The fluid coming out must be from the mount, because there'* nothing leaking above it. I'm thinking this is the reason the transmission makes a huge CLICK noise when you put it in reverse while up on jack stands with foot on brake.

The second problem I'm having that I don't even know where to start is shuddering. I've replaced spark plugs, spark plug wires, and PCV valve. Before I get the car off jacks, I'm going to be replacing a fuel filter as well. If it is not the fuel filter, what else could it be? It'* only got 89k mi. Typically the torque converter is locked when you feel the shuddering, and foot is on the gas pedal, which led me to believe it was the torque converter (again). Another thing I found interesting is, I think it'* a gearshift, occuring @ 45 mph, you can sometimes REALLY feel it, and it feels like the rpms shudder up and down for a second or two right after it happens. The guy at the shop said he feels it is an ignition problem. Only thing that makes me want to believe that is that it seems to do it more in wet weather, and it seemed to do it more when I dumped a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in my quarter tank of gas. It couldn't be that transmission mount, could it?

Any input is greatly appreciated. This is driving my crazy.

A few questions. This clunk you hear. Does it happen just once when you stop and change directions. Example, step on brake , put car in drive, go a couple feet, stop, leave foot on brake and put in reverse, take foot off brake, roll a couple feet, stop (do you get a clunk here)

No. Typically it requires a movement in the steering wheel.

I remember one drip was red... one was darker light old brake fluid. Crap... lol.

Just an FYI - I did test coils and they all turned out within range, low range at that.

I will check out that leak when I put exhaust on in Dec.

Fuel filter is changed. Still shuddering. I've collected new data as well I noticed when I accelerate slowly up to 45 mph, I think that'* where the TC locks, whenever it does, man does it ever. When you go slowly and let the pressure build, it knocks into it, kind of rocking the rpms for a second. Then, when you let it go under 45 and TC is still locked, it REALLY starts shuddering. I duno wtf to do lol. I think it'* in the transmission... but the dealer doesn't want to believe that. Maybe I'll take it to the transmission shop. Set of wires, plugs, pcv, fuel filter, tested the coils, and a bottle of injector cleaner in a quarter tank of gas should have had SOME affect on it... but to me it seems that it'* gotten worse.

I'm going to go ahead and replace that mount and see what happens. Is there a specific name for it, other than dog bone trans mount, so I don't sound like a retard and get every one confused? lol. I'm so used to RWD...

EDIT: Didn't think it was an engine mount... but that'* the closest thing to it. http://www.napaautoparts.com/masterp...e+Torque+Strut
This it?

Anybody know? Rockauto.com has it for like $10.69 + discount code. Part number is 2662 on there.

This thread may help to read for knowledge, although it'* regarding a '93 (Series I, but still an H body) and the part #'* may or may not be the same.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...light=dog+bone

The "dog bone" could be named motor mount, transaxle mount or transmission mount.

As I was curious anyway, and just to learn a little more, I did a little searching, and a little looking at our '94, and I think that the H body only has one "dog bone".

(edited: I think you're looking at the correct one at NAPA for your '97. You can even use "dog bone" as a key word at NAPA .)

Awesome. Yeah, they're referring to the same part number. I'll go ahead and order it.. if it'* not correct, never hurts to have an extra I guess lol. But I noticed only one dog bone as well. Thanks!

I have some literature at home that may pertain to this. Was the torque converter replaced with the transmission?