QuestionI recently had my transmission rebuilt at which time the mechanic said to me that my engine mount needs to be changed. The problem is being characterised by a violent jolt forward when the car is put into drive. Also whilst I'm driving and may slow down it jolts and then slowly accelerates back to regular speed. For some reason the steering on the car also seems to have been affected (I don't know how) but the car drives as if the steering is loose or as if it's swerving w/o my help.
My vehicle is a 2000 Hyundai Elantra... firstly do those symptoms sound like engine mount issues? About how much can I expect to spend to fix it if that's what it is? And could these symptoms cause other problems if not dealt with right away?
AnswerThe jolt when shifting into gear may be caused by the mount, but the other symptoms aren't consistent with a mount issue. It can also be caused by a defective input speed sensor, a low fluid level, or an internal transmission issue.
The slowing down and jolting is consistent with low fluid or an internal transmission problem.
The lack of steering control can be caused by low tire pressures. Also, the subframe would have been lowered to remove the transmission for repairs. If not reinstalled correctly, this can also cause steering issues.
As to the cost of repairs, I tend to not try to estimate overall cost. This is because there's a great variance in price depending on your geographic location, source of the parts used, and the shop doing the work. My best suggestion for people looking for pricing is to call places in the area for quotes on the necessary repairs. This should give you a good baseline for the going price in your geographic area.
