What would cause this type of vibration?

When I come to a stop in Drive or if I'm in Park then it seems my steering wheel and what not will vibration more than it did before. The vibration is almost completely gone when I accelerate and when I'm driving along of course. Could this be the cause of a bad motor mount? Is this something that's even 'fixable'? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I researched this problem online a little and it seems like the most likely cause is a bad motor mount(s). I will check them as soon as possible. How many engine mounts does a 1994 Saturn SL2 DOHC have? Thanks.

Sounds like a motor mount.

I think YouTube actually has videos on how to replace the upper mount - looks like an easy job. Do a search for saturn mount and that should tell you what you need to know about replacing the mount.

Hey kknobl, thanks for the reply!

I found this (http://www.youtube.com/v/Sp7nIZGzsxA&rel=1) video you were talking about and I also found this (http://www.youtube.com/v/WGIAt3nzs9Y&rel=1) video on how to check the motor mount. This is not the exact same model Saturn, but the engine layout, motor mount, etc. look almost identical so I'm sure same procedure would apply to my car. I done the "pin test" on the top motor mount and sure enough I can slide it all the way through between the rubber and metal frame, so I guess I'll be replacing that one.

My question is: Where are the other motor mounts located? I've tried looking it up online and crawling underneath the car and looking but I haven't been able to locate them. Does anyone know where I could find a diagram or something that shows where they are?

Thanks.

Well, I just replaced the front right mount and as you can clearly see from the pictures below it did not pass the "pen test" and clearly needed replaced. I have not gotten the chance to see how much this has cut down on the vibration inside the car yet but by judging from how bad this one looked, I hope it helped quite a bit. Notice that the old motor mount was cracked near the bottom as well.

Thanks.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q88/rx_morpheus/100_0296.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q88/rx_morpheus/100_0295.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q88/rx_morpheus/100_0294.jpg

The motor mount you replaced was the second style Saturn used and found that they were of poor design. Hopefully you bought your new one at the Saturn dealership and is of the original and /or newer design.

Your question of how many components is answered with four. The one you replaced is called the upper engine mount. There is one under the transmission as seen through the driver's side well. Both these mounts hold the weight of the engine. There are two mounts that control the torque of the engine and sometimes referred to as dogbones. One is located under the battery tray but on top of the transmission; the other as seen through the right passenger wheel well and near the crankshaft pulley.

If I were you after seeing that you had the out of date upper engine mount, replace the lower transmission mount that cost under $30.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66458&highlight=lower+transmission+mount

You must have noticeable improvement from vibration with the upper mount repaced. I suggest the lower if you want the upper to have reasonable longevity.

The motor mount you replaced was the second style Saturn used and found that they were of poor design. Hopefully you bought your new one at the Saturn dealership and is of the original and /or newer design.

Your question of how many components is answered with four. The one you replaced is called the upper engine mount. There is one under the transmission as seen through the driver's side well. Both these mounts hold the weight of the engine. There are two mounts that control the torque of the engine and sometimes referred to as dogbones. One is located under the battery tray but on top of the transmission; the other as seen through the right passenger wheel well and near the crankshaft pulley.

If I were you after seeing that you had the out of date upper engine mount, replace the lower transmission mount that cost under $30.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66458&highlight=lower+transmission+mount

You must have noticeable improvement from vibration with the upper mount repaced. I suggest the lower if you want the upper to have reasonable longevity.
Thanks for the reply.

Actually I bought my new upper motor mount at the local Advance Auto Parts store...it looks like pretty much the same design, but hopefully it will last a decent amount of time if I replace another mount...which leads me to my next question. The mount that's located under the transmission - is that referred to as the Rear Engine Mount? If so, is this (http://www.racepages.com/parts/engine_mount/saturn.html) the mount I'm looking for?

I do have a noticeable difference between the old mount and new mount that I've already replaced...except that difference really isn't much of an improvement. It seems like you can actually feel more vibration in the seats and such when idling in Drive or Reverse....I'm assuming that means 1 of the other 3 mounts are pretty worn - if not all of them.

The other mount is called the lower transmission mount.

Attached and supporting the Engine Strut, often overlooked, is a bracket in which one end of the strut sits. This bracket, upon close examination, is affixed to the engine cradle. However, it is attached with two bolts/fasteners. The nuts can be reached only from underneath the cradle.

These two nuts, should be loosened after any work is done on any of the TAM's four components. Therefore, after replacing either the Upper Engine Mount, the Lower Transmission Mount, the Transmission Strut, and/or the Strut-to-Engine, it is important to loosen these two nuts/fasterns and then re-torquing them .

This effort accomplishes the removal any "fore/aft preload" from the Engine Strut.

Torque = 37 ft lbs. Some driver feel vibration in the car especially while in reverse if this is not done.

The other mount is called the lower transmission mount.

Attached and supporting the Engine Strut, often overlooked, is a bracket in which one end of the strut sits. This bracket, upon close examination, is affixed to the engine cradle. However, it is attached with two bolts/fasteners. The nuts can be reached only from underneath the cradle.

These two nuts, should be loosened after any work is done on any of the TAM's four components. Therefore, after replacing either the Upper Engine Mount, the Lower Transmission Mount, the Transmission Strut, and/or the Strut-to-Engine, it is important to loosen these two nuts/fasterns and then re-torquing them .

This effort accomplishes the removal any "fore/aft preload" from the Engine Strut.

Torque = 37 ft lbs. Some driver feel vibration in the car especially while in reverse if this is not done.

Thanks again.

I haven't had a chance to look at the condition of the other 3 mounts yet but I'm assuming the lower transmission mount would probably need replaced the worst out of the remaining 3. I turned on the A/C the other day and it seemed like the vibration wasn't as bad, but it was only for a short while and I'll need to test that out a little more. However if it does decrease the vibration with the A/C on, then would that narrow it down in terms of which motor mount would need replaced the worst?

Thanks for the info. I didn't loosen the nuts/fasteners that you were talking about...I dunno if that could be all it is or not either, but I look into doing this as soon as possible.

I can now confirm that turning the A/C on does in fact decrease the vibration substantially. Is this because it puts more/less stress on a certain motor mount or does it just allow the engine to idle a bit lower, thus decreasing the vibration?

It might be the slight change in idle speed, or the slight change in the dynamics of the vibrating mass (engine/pistons/con.rods) - from the very slight increase in power needed to also turn the a.c. compressor. And the motor mount that you replace is only one of several items with rubber in them, that hold the motor in. They all degrade a little with the years. That one mount on top on the passenger side seems to be the one that goes first. A relative had a 92 where that motor mount gave out in the first year - resulting in vibration at an idle and a growling noise on left hand turns. He drove it that way for 6 more years - and sold the car without fixing it. Not that I recommend that.

A lot of Saturn owners never change the motor mounts. I've seen many people actually sell their Saturns for very, very cheap just cuz they think the car has some complex problem but just needs new mounts.

The other mount is called the lower transmission mount.

Attached and supporting the Engine Strut, often overlooked, is a bracket in which one end of the strut sits. This bracket, upon close examination, is affixed to the engine cradle. However, it is attached with two bolts/fasteners. The nuts can be reached only from underneath the cradle.

These two nuts, should be loosened after any work is done on any of the TAM's four components. Therefore, after replacing either the Upper Engine Mount, the Lower Transmission Mount, the Transmission Strut, and/or the Strut-to-Engine, it is important to loosen these two nuts/fasterns and then re-torquing them .

This effort accomplishes the removal any "fore/aft preload" from the Engine Strut.

Torque = 37 ft lbs. Some driver feel vibration in the car especially while in reverse if this is not done.

+1 !!! if you didnt do this your not done yet!

This probably is as dumb of a question as it sounds, but where exactly is the bracket/cradle and Engine strut located? I'm hoping I can just loosen and re-torque them to decrease some of the vibration as you suggested. Thanks.

This probably is as dumb of a question as it sounds, but where exactly is the bracket/cradle and Engine strut located? I'm hoping I can just loosen and re-torque them to decrease some of the vibration as you suggested. Thanks.

there are 4 mounts:
top engine mount-top of motor passengers side
Bottom motor mount (also known as a dogbone mount)-bottof of motor passengers side (youll need to take 2 pushpins out and the plasitc shield, NOT the fender out to see it)
Top tranny mount-under the batter tray/airbox
Bottom tranny mount-under drivers side of tranny (again youll need to take 2pushpins out and the plastic shield out, NOT the fender)

id get new ones starting with the top engine mount first. then retoque them all

there are 4 mounts:
top engine mount-top of motor passengers side
Bottom motor mount (also known as a dogbone mount)-bottof of motor passengers side (youll need to take 2 pushpins out and the plasitc shield, NOT the fender out to see it)
Top tranny mount-under the batter tray/airbox
Bottom tranny mount-under drivers side of tranny (again youll need to take 2pushpins out and the plastic shield out, NOT the fender)

id get new ones starting with the top engine mount first. then retoque them all
Alright, thanks for the information but I'm also wondering where the Engine Strut is located - where the bracket is attached to it as yaz4real was referring to.

Attached and supporting the Engine Strut, often overlooked, is a bracket in which one end of the strut sits. This bracket, upon close examination, is affixed to the engine cradle. However, it is attached with two bolts/fasteners. The nuts can be reached only from underneath the cradle.

I'm mainly looking for the bolts/fasteners that are attached to the bracket that is mentioned above. Does anyone know exactly where this(the bracket and bolts/fasteners) is located? I apologize if I wasn't clear in my previous post, but your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Alright, thanks for the information but I'm also wondering where the Engine Strut is located - where the bracket is attached to it as yaz4real was referring to.



I'm mainly looking for the bolts/fasteners that are attached to the bracket that is mentioned above. Does anyone know exactly where this(the bracket and bolts/fasteners) is located? I apologize if I wasn't clear in my previous post, but your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

the engine strut is bottom engine mount. aka dogbone mount aka lower engine strut. there are many names for it unfortunetly.

the bracket he is refering to is bolted TO the cradle. looking at the cradle from the ground will show you the holes that allow you to stick a ratchet up into and loosen/tighten the bolts. a flashlight to find them first will definetly help. the same situation is on the other side for the lower transmission mount. that is held on by 1 bolt however. again, looking up at the cradle from the floor with a flashlight will allow you to see the bolt hidden in the cradle :)

the engine strut is bottom engine mount. aka dogbone mount aka lower engine strut. there are many names for it unfortunetly.

the bracket he is refering to is bolted TO the cradle. looking at the cradle from the ground will show you the holes that allow you to stick a ratchet up into and loosen/tighten the bolts. a flashlight to find them first will definetly help. the same situation is on the other side for the lower transmission mount. that is held on by 1 bolt however. again, looking up at the cradle from the floor with a flashlight will allow you to see the bolt hidden in the cradle :)

Thanks, RC1488. I found the bolts on both sides and loosened/retorqued them. However this didn't seem to decrease the vibration I'm experiencing while in Drive or Reverse.:disappoin I have a feeling that another one of those mounts needs replaced, but I'll have to examine them a bit more to determine which one actually needs replacing the most. Do you happen to know which mount, besides the top motor mount, tends to get more 'wear and tear' and require replacement usually? Again, thanks for all the help.

Thanks, RC1488. I found the bolts on both sides and loosened/retorqued them. However this didn't seem to decrease the vibration I'm experiencing while in Drive or Reverse.:disappoin I have a feeling that another one of those mounts needs replaced, but I'll have to examine them a bit more to determine which one actually needs replacing the most. Do you happen to know which mount, besides the top motor mount, tends to get more 'wear and tear' and require replacement usually? Again, thanks for all the help.

After the top motor mount, i believe most people find the top transmission mount is next in line. a thorough examination of the other mounts should show you which one is in major need of replacement.