Chrysler Repair: Loud clunking noise from front when accelerating, transmission problems, engine mounts

Question
Hi Roland,
I wrote you a while back about transmission problems with my 5th Ave, and thank you very much for that answer, a diagnostic test was done and my car was in fact getting stuck in 2nd gear, sorry for not writing you back with codes but it was my father who went and got this done. Well, the transmission was cleared of that code, and now it's just been one thing after another with this car.  Since before it got fixed up until present, there is a loud clunking noise in the front end of my car, it only seems to happen when I'm accelerating from a stop, or accelerating after having slowed down.  I don't know if this will mean anything at all but I noticed it always happen if I am turning the wheel slightly to the left or driving straight from a stop. (I have no idea if this is transmission, steering problems, etc.) This noise does not happen all the time, but it seems to me it happens when there's a lot of "torque" on the engine.  I am very frustrated at this because it doesn't happen all the time, I can't get a mechanic to come out and drive with me and I can't get my father to come out with me because of course, this noise does not happen while they are with me.  The rack and pinion was just replaced to apparently stop this noise as it was leaking, and now it seems that it is STILL leaking, and I still have the noise.  However I'm not for certain this is where the leak is coming from it will be going to the garage some time this week.  
So, not only have numerous things been fixed on this car, it's just one thing after another, and I'm supposed to be using this car this year at school driving on the freeway everday, which I don't quite feel comfortable doing in this car. Hopefully you'll be able to shed some light on this situation, thank you very much Roland.
-Robyn

Answer
Hi Robyn,
I believe your problem is fairly simple to fix. One of the three engine mounts has fatigued and is probably operating on the remaining metal supports instead of the rubber bushing that is supposed to hold it in place. Thus the loud clunk when you ask for torque from the engine is a natural reaction which the rubber would normally dampen..
If you put on the parking brake firmly and then start the engine in neutral, have a helper shift the trans into reverse and then into drive: at the moment of the shift you may see the engine rock back or forth, or drop on one side of the other which would corroborate an engine mount being fatigued out.
As for repair it is an easy matter to support the engine from underneath using a floor jack and wooden spacer block to protect the oil pan, then once you have it supported just unbolt the old support mount and put in a new one. It should be no more that a one hour job. On the leak from the steering rack and pinion system I would ask the shop that did the job to repair the problem at no further cost under the implied warranty that you received when you paid for the repair. They either didn't repair the correct part or they did the repair incorrectly.
So don't despair, this all will pass.
Roland