'97 850 Rough in 'Drive'

tomlandy · Post by **tomlandy** » 17 Apr 2010, 11:49

Good day. Thanks for your help here. I own a 1997 Volvo 850 Automatic base model with approx. 100k miles in Lubbock, TX. After engine start, I am having a noise issue when shifting into 'Drive', '3', or 'L' while the car is not moving.

It sounds as though there is brushing/rubbing/slight knocking in the transmission. A slight vibration can also be felt.This noise/vibration is not made when in Neutral, Park or Reverse.

It seems that this noise and vibration is temperamental, meaning that sometimes it is there, sometimes it isn't. It is usually more pronounced when the car is still warming up.

There doesn't seem to be any 'slipping' when the car shifts gears. Reverse works well, so no problem there.

When the car is actually moving down the road, this brushing/vibration appears to go away, but then will return when stopped at a red light.

Wondering what this may be - and any preventative measures that I should take now before it gets any worse. Thanks for your help!

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Apr 2010, 13:55

Most likely it's either a bad upper engine mount or lower transmission mount. Look at the rubber bushings in both places and check them for cracking. When this happens to them (it happens to all of them at some point) ypu can feel vibrations through the whole car at low engine speeds and idle.

That said, if you have never had a transmission fluid change done, it would be a good idea to drain the transmission pan and refill it 2-3 times in the near future. Have a look at your fluid; it should be a bright, clear red.

tomlandy · Post by **tomlandy** » 17 Apr 2010, 15:34

Thanks for the quick reply! I will definitely check out those bushings and replace. Will also change transmission fluid. Will keep this tread posted on how these changes impact this issue. Thanks again!

tomlandy · Post by **tomlandy** » 22 May 2010, 16:22

Update to this issue:
I replaced the lower transmission mount - the rubbing sound decreased dramatically.
Replaced the Upper Engine Mount - Rubbing has nearly faded away.
Just replaced the Right Side Engine Mount today - No more rubbing sounds at all.

This was definitely a mount issue - lower transmission mount primarily. Figured while I was at it, I would replace other mounts as well. Was needed greatly on this vehicle. The original upper engine mount was nearly completely dissolved, the lower transmission mount bushings were cracked and pieces missing, and the right side engine mount rubber was cracked all the way through.

Thank you for the great advice! New mounts in & now on to the next project.

BTW - I ordered all mounts from ipdusa.com - Fast shipping & Perfect parts.

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 May 2010, 16:25

Glad you got it fixed!

This is my next project too, I've got a busted lower one, and I think my transmission one could use replacing too...I've just got to make the time to do it.