Expert: Sean Halliday - 2/26/2008

Question
My Geo seems to have a common issue with vibration.  I have two questions: When I hold the brake and shift from reverse to drive and back again the motor moves...what's considered normal movement distance for the motor if the motor mounts are working properly?  And:  Which mount is the dogbone mount that I read so much about?  Thanks, Scott.

Answer
The dog bone is on the top of the engine and looks like,,,,,,a dogbone.Its called a torx mount by the makers but part stores will know the dog bone mount when you ask them by this name.Motor mounts are usually tight and little or no slap is allowed or good for the engine.Normal to and fro for a transverse engine depends on the make but your car does have some give.As i have seen on some of these prizms.Best to have them all checked by any good shop or oil change center such as you will find all over.There is no effort to check the mounts as you will see them if the car is raised on a hoist.