Pontiac: Transmission Mount, front wheel drive, going on a trip


Question
I am going on a trip about 600 miles each way.  I was told I needed the transmission mount replaced.  Can this wait until I return from my trip or does it have to happen before I leave?

Thanks a lot.

Answer
Well, if the mount is damaged but not gone you should be ok.  Even if it is MISSING, as in disintegrated it's not like your transmision is going to fall out.  I drove my Fiero about half a year without knowing one of the two transmision mounts was totally gone, it had just disintegrated.  Negligence by the previous owner, I had just purchased the car.

If it isn't making any abnormal sounds or acting strange then I'm sure it won't be any problem traveling.  Anyway on the highway pressure is minimal to the mounts.  Acceleration is where they flex the most, so try to avoid any harsh accelerations.  

Usually there are a minimum of 3 mounts holding everything in anyway.  One for the engine and two for the transmission if it is front wheel drive, and two on the engine and usually just one for the transmission.  So it's doubtful one mount can cause you to be stranded on a trip.

Although, if possible I would replace it first before the trip to keep that worry out of your head, even though chances are almost zero that anything would happen due to this.

Hope this helps.
Carlos