front end knocking....motor mount or stab links?

[rsrxc700]

95 Seville SLS 90K

I get a "ratcheting" knocking sound during acceleration, worse when turning and accelerating. Kind of like "DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT", as long as torque is applied. I also get some "bump steer" when I hit a pothole, the car wants to jump around.

I first thought that it may be time for stab links and bushings. I got under and did not find anything obviosly loose. Then I checked the motor mounts. the front "dog bone" mounts do have noticeable play. I brake-torqued and noticed quite a bit of movement of the engine assembly.

I realize there may be more than one problem.

Questions: Should there be any movement in the "dog-bone" mounts? How about the rear hydraulic mount, could not see/feel if it was loose.

Any advice welcome, I don't want to just start replacing expensive parts ($77 ea for stab links!)

Thanks!

[JasonA]

You should be able to "jiggle" the front dog bones. Any more than this, and I think it's excessive. If you can see noticeable movement in the engine, I think you've got a mount that's gone bad. You should check them all out, the upper dogbones and the lower mounts too.

[sal.carceller@cox.net]

95 Seville SLS 90K

I get a "ratcheting" knocking sound during acceleration, worse when turning and accelerating. Kind of like "DAT DAT DAT DAT DAT", as long as torque is applied. I also get some "bump steer" when I hit a pothole, the car wants to jump around.

I first thought that it may be time for stab links and bushings. I got under and did not find anything obviosly loose. Then I checked the motor mounts. the front "dog bone" mounts do have noticeable play. I brake-torqued and noticed quite a bit of movement of the engine assembly.

I realize there may be more than one problem.

Questions: Should there be any movement in the "dog-bone" mounts? How about the rear hydraulic mount, could not see/feel if it was loose.

Any advice welcome, I don't want to just start replacing expensive parts ($77 ea for stab links!)

Thanks!

You can remove the links and take for a drive around the block - I did this in my 93 Seville - if the noise stops it's the links. But the links really only make a knocking noise while going over rough ground. The noise you are describing sounds more like drive train noise. CV Joints? does it get worse while turning left or right?

[adallak]

Open the hood, switch to R or D, and press gas pedal with your left foot on brake pedal firmly (so called power braking). Watch the engine for excessive movement.