shifter stick moves when accelerating


switch9

switch9

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
127
Hi,

When I'm in gear, and I suddenly accelerate, my shifter stick moves back and forth quite a bit (like 1 or 1,5 cm).

I would say it is one of the engine/tranny mounts that's shot, but I would find that strange, since I replaced all of those already 3 years ago (they were the complete set Spoon OEM looking ones).
I've tried to feel if the rear engine mount has any tears or cracks, but from what I feel, I would say no.
The rest of the mounts seem ok too. So I'm kinda lost here :)

Does any of you have an idea??

Here's a movie of what happens (this is in 2nd gear):

Gear stick EK9 - YouTube
 
I'd say engine mount mate.
My rear mount was shot to bits and it moved like that.
 
Took a bit of time this weekend to inspect my engine and transmission mounts.
They all look OK. There are no signs of cracks whatsoever.

I took a prying bar and put it between the rear mount and the subframe. If i applied quite an amount of force on it, the engine moved a little bit. But it's not that it move that much, so you would say: ah yes, broken engine mount... :)

Maybe the rubber has gone too soft??
As mentioned above: all the mounts have been replaced 3 years ago by Spoon ones. I'm quite disappointed that the Spoon mounts only lasted 3 years then...
The car's only done a couple trackdays, and I never 'abuse' it that hard on the streets.

Wonder if I should contact Spoon?
 
could take a look at your gear linkage and make sure the bushes on that arent fudge'd.
 
ive changed a few gearboxes on astra vxr's for a problem like this (more movement) its basically worn detents inside the box. Personally i wouldnt worry too much unless it is popping out of gear.
 
Torque mounts. Mine had the same thing, not as bad though. Got the Enery Suspension inserts and sorted the problem. Im doubtful that its the engine mounts themselves if they were replaced 3 years ago.
 
Must say Bravo for putting up a video of this... Always going to get faster help with a Video, So much easier to explain what is going on. :nice:

well done that man
 
You can do a good check of engine movement starting the car, opening the hood, and then blipping the throttle body with your hand to check for engine movement.
 
Thanks for the replies!!!

elchunk said:
could take a look at your gear linkage and make sure the bushes on that arent fudge'd.
Click to expand...

Checked those too, and they are still good.
I actually replaced these 3 years ago as well (with the M-factory ones)

adam19 said:
ive changed a few gearboxes on astra vxr's for a problem like this (more movement) its basically worn detents inside the box. Personally i wouldnt worry too much unless it is popping out of gear.
Click to expand...

Interesting diagnose! I would never think of this, with the symptoms I'm having right now. What exactly do you mean with "detents"? Is it the spring loaded balls that keep the gear selector in place?
I guess if the "detents" are the cause, then shifting itself must also feel more "loose" no? Like easier to move the stick in and out of gear? I don't think that's the case with me though...

R1PPU said:
Torque mounts. Mine had the same thing, not as bad though. Got the Enery Suspension inserts and sorted the problem. Im doubtful that its the engine mounts themselves if they were replaced 3 years ago.
Click to expand...

I also replaced the torque mounts 3 years ago. It was a complete set of Spoon engine/gearbox mounts (so all 5 mounts included).
The torque mounts both look good still. No tears or cracks.
I've always wondered what the driver's side torque mount really does though. it look so weak. Even brand new, it moves a lot when you try to play with it...

Topher-EK9 said:
Must say Bravo for putting up a video of this... Always going to get faster help with a Video, So much easier to explain what is going on. :nice:
well done that man
Click to expand...

Thanks man!
Thought it would make life easier for everyone ;-)

Dino-Spumoni said:
You can do a good check of engine movement starting the car, opening the hood, and then blipping the throttle body with your hand to check for engine movement.
Click to expand...

Good tip, thanks.
Actually done that, but the engine doesn't seem to move at all.
I'll try again later this weekend, with a warmed up engine so I can yank it all the way. See if it moves then.


I actually think it's just all the engine mounts that are slowly wearing out again... I would have never thought the Spoon mounts would give up that fast though... I'm a little dissapointed.
 
Well i wouldn't say it would be easier to go in gear necessarily as the detents job is to keep it in gear and not being able to select multiple gears at once. I'm not saying it is definitely this, but if you have swapped all mounts etc 3 years ago with spoon ones then it is possible. how many miles have you done in those 3 years and what kind of driving?
 
I think that your problem has to be with mounts and/or shifter bushings, i suggest you getting aftermarket ones like, spoon/energy suspension etc, good luck mate.
 
Maybe you accelerate so hard that the gforces make your shifter jolt backwards lol.

In all seriousness though im glad i refound this because my knob has started doing the same lol
 
Ok, bringing up this thread again.

I just took some time to inspect my engine mounts. Took all 5 of them out!
But the weird thing is: they still look perfect!!!
I was hoping the rear mount to be broken, but it 's really not. I took a screwdriver and put it in the center hole in the mount to try to twist it. But found no cracks whatsoever. It's still really solid...
Same for all the other mounts. Still really really solid.

I have no idea now...

Anyone??
 
Just check everything from your gear stick to your engine. Follow everything step by step
Its the only way to narrow it down with us just saying random things.
It won't be doing it for no reason so something is not right.
Not much help i know but otherwise were just taking stabs in the dark :)
 
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