After collision tranny problem

[jtmarten]

I've done a search for this and found several possibilities, but want to run it by everyone here.
My daughter hit a cow with her mom's '00 cav. Hood, rt fender, rt lights, and windshield trashed. The cow hit the hood so hard the oil filler punched a hole in the hood and was sticking out about an inch.
Post-collision the "Service" light is on, no codes at all (CEL not on), the tranny makes a horrible noise and the engine bounces quite a bit when in reverse. With the engine off it is very easy to move the engine, but I don't know how easy it should move pre-collision. It also makes a thumping sound when the starter is engaged. I'm thinking broken motor mount or torque strut.
I saw references to the Service light possibly flagged because of the rt headlight being out (DRL light flashes several times then goes out). Likely??

The car actually drives fine.

I know I'm gonna get screwed by the rancher's insurance , so hopefully these two issues will be rather minor.
Thanks for any advice!!!

[rhandwor]

Talk to your insurance company they may tell you to get it fixed and bill the ranchers insurance company. Go to a body shop you trust and have them put it on a lift and look at it plus give you an estimate.

[jtmarten]

OK
Service light went off after I replaced the destroyed Silver Star with the original lamp. DRL light no longer flashes.
Now just have the vibration and low 'growl' when in reverse.

[rhandwor]

If its like my wife's Malibu with a 3.1L V-6 I would suspect the two transmission mounts as the engine wants to roll when in gear. The inserts were $18.00 for these two mounts a piece at Auto Zone. The back one is hard to get to and the front one is easy after you move the wiring harness in front of the nuts. The front would be the most likely put the car on 4 jack stands. Have somebody in the car start it and put it in gear with the foot on the brake. Use a flashlight and watch each mount as they rev. the engine slightly.

[jtmarten]

Looks like the tranny issue may be the radiator support. When in reverse, the alt is pushing against the radiator support, which is bent and pushed towards the engine.

Can that support be replaced? I've seen the upper radiator supports listed, but they don't look the same. I'm afraid if we keep the car and try to repair it without replacing that support, the headlight on that side won't line up correctly.

Thanks!

[rhandwor]

If they bolt in you can repair them just go to a scrap yard and buy the piece.
Otherwise have a body shop weld in a new piece.