If you have noticed more vibration than usual, or a clunk when you shift into gear or accelerate, the culprit might be a part most drivers have never heard of: the motor mounts. These components quietly do an important job, and when they wear out, you feel it throughout the vehicle.
Motor mounts secure your engine to the frame of the car and, just as importantly, absorb the engine’s vibrations so they do not transfer into the cabin. They are typically made of metal combined with rubber or a fluid-filled design to dampen movement. Over time, the rubber can crack and deteriorate, or a mount can fail, allowing the engine to move more than it should. When that happens, you may feel stronger vibrations at idle, a clunk or thud when shifting or accelerating, or a jolt when the engine moves under load.
Beyond the annoyance, worn motor mounts let the engine shift excessively, which can stress other components, hoses, and connections over time. Catching the problem while it is just one worn mount is easier than dealing with the added wear that excessive movement can cause.
At Home Town Auto Care in Franklin, our technicians can inspect your motor mounts, confirm whether they are the source of the vibration or clunk, and replace any that are worn. We will make sure your engine is properly secured and your ride is smooth again. If your vehicle has developed a new shake or a clunk, bring it to our Franklin shop and let us pin down the cause.
