Taurus drivetrain question

[john112deere]

Friend and his girlfriend just drove her car halfway across New England last night, coming back tomorrow.

She just got the car, it's a '97 Taurus, 150k miles, I think (he couldn't remember for sure on either). I rode in it a couple times, and it seemed like the throttle was kinda jumpy, but I just figured she wasn't used it it yet.

This is the first time he's really driven it; he said not only is it jumpy, every time he left a stop sign it "thunked" kinda like a u-joint. He's used to pickups and dump trucks, not cars.

I said it kinda sounded more like a motor mount than a ujoint, but I don't know much about FWD either.

No funny noises while driving, but it's got four studded snows, which make a lot of noise and could cover up something else, I suppose.

Thanks!

 

[blacksnapon]

The motor mount is very possible. The one close to the right headlamp is the first to go, then the one under the windshield on the pass side.

 

[Fellro]

Well, a couple things... any noticeable vibrations? Does it click on turns? Thoise are the key questions in relation to cv joints. If no to both, then that can be eliminated. My guess at this point could well be motor mount, I forget how they hold the motors steady on those, been a while since I dealt with them.

 

[john112deere]

Thanks, guys!

I don't think he's worried about driving it back (i.e. not that bad yet) so we'll probably check it when he gets back.

 

[d-kuzmen]

They also had problems with subframe mounts, I would check those also. Found this TSB

ISSUE:
A "clunk" noise on heavy acceleration and/or deceleration or on turns may be heard and/or felt in the floor pan area. This may be caused by the rear lower subframe insulators allowing movement between the mounts and the subframe.

ACTION:
Replace the rear lower subframe insulators. The revised Insulators (F7DZ-5400155-AA) are designed with a conical center to minimize movement between the subframe and the insulator. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE: BEFORE RAISING VEHICLE, TURN OFF AIR SUSPENSION IF EQUIPPED.



Support the rear of the subframe. Loosen the left rear subframe bolt. Remove the existing left lower subframe insulator and replace it with a revised left lower subframe insulator.
Loosen the right rear subframe bolt. Remove the existing right lower subframe insulator and replace it with a revised right lower subframe insulator.
Maintain support during the torquing of the subframe-to-body bolts to 80 ±12 N-m (59 ±9 lb-ft) for Continental and 90 ±14 N-m (66 ±10 lb-ft) for Taurus and Sable.
CAUTION: DO NOT TORQUE THE SUBFRAME BOLTS WITHOUT SUPPORTING THE REAR OF THE REAR SUBFRAME. BE SURE TO USE THREADLOCK AND SEALER (EOAZ-19554-AA OR EQUIVALENT MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSK-M2G351-A5) ON ALL REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS BEFORE REINSTALLING AND TORQUING. THE SUBFRAME MUST BE SUPPORTED DURING SERVICE USING ROTUNDA HI-LIFT JACK (014-00950) AND ROTUNDA SUBFRAME REMOVAL KIT (014-00751).