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Idle Vibration at Idle and/or Clunk at Start-Up (Perform Inspection Procedure and if Necessary Replace Rear Transaxle)

Subject:Idle Vibration at Idle and/or Clunk at Start-Up (Perform Inspection Procedure and if Necessary Replace Rear Transaxle Mount and Perform "Powertrain Mount Balance Procedure")

Models:2002 and 2003 Saturn VUE Vehicles
with 2.2L, 4-Cylinder Engine (VIN F -- RPO L61)
Built Prior To and Including VIN Breakpoint 3S851169

Attention: Fixed Operations Manager and Technician


This bulletin is being revised to update the models and parts information. Please discard bulletin 02-T-45 -- Corporate Bulletin Number 02-07-29-004 (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).


Condition

Some customers may comment on one or both of the following conditions:

    • A vibration inside the vehicle while at idle (typically applies to vehicles equipped with Vti transaxles RPO M16 or M75).
    • Clunk noise at start-up (typically applies to vehicles equipped with manual transaxles RPO MG3).

Cause

These conditions may be caused by an incorrect rear transaxle mount and/or rear transaxle mount pre-load.

Correction

To correct these conditions, inspect the vehicle to ensure the third design mount is installed. If the first or second design mount is installed, it will be necessary to replace the mount with the third design mount (P/N 22716366). Once the mount has been inspected and/or replaced, it will be necessary to perform the "Powertrain Mount Balance Procedure" in this bulletin.

Inspection Procedure

Inspect rear transaxle mount.


Object Number: 1243438  Size: SH
    • Third-Design Transaxle Mount
        If the rear transaxle mount installed is the third-design, replacement is not necessary. Proceed to "Powertrain Mount Balance" procedure in this bulletin.

Object Number: 1243433  Size: SH

Object Number: 1243443  Size: SH
    • First or Second-Design Transaxle Mount
        If the rear transaxle mount is the first or second design, replace the transaxle mount with the third design transaxle mount. Proceed to "Rear Transaxle Mount Replacement" procedure in this bulletin.

Rear Transaxle Mount Replacement


Object Number: 928736  Size: SH

    Caution: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE OPPOSITE FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.

  1. Raise vehicle.
  2. Remove rear transaxle mount-through bolt.
  3. Remove cradle-to-rear transaxle mount bolts.
  4. Remove left side stabilizer bar clamp-to-frame bolts.
  5. Remove rear transaxle mount.

  6. Object Number: 928736  Size: SH
  7. Install rear transaxle mount onto cradle.
  8. Install rear transaxle mount-to-cradle bolts and leave loose.
  9. Align rear transaxle mount within bracket.
  10. Install rear transaxle mount-through bolt and leave loose. Ensure bolt goes through the hole in the mount.
  11. Install left side stabilizer bar clamp-to-frame bolts.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the Stabilizer Bar Clamp-to-Frame Bolts to 50N·m (37 ft-lbs).

  13. Proceed to "Powertrain Mount Balance Procedure" to finalize installation.

Powertrain Mount Balance Procedure

Caution: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE OPPOSITE FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.

  1. Raise vehicle.

  2. Object Number: 928767  Size: SH
  3. Loosen both front and rear mount-through bolts (do not remove).

  4. Object Number: 928736  Size: SH
  5. Loosen cradle to rear mount bolts (do not remove).
  6. Lower vehicle.
  7. Shake powertrain vigorously (front-to-rear) and allow powertrain to settle.
  8. Raise vehicle.
  9. Tighten cradle-to-rear mount bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the Cradle-to-Rear Mount Bolts to 50N·m (37 ft-lbs).


    Object Number: 928736  Size: SH
  11. Tighten rear mount-through bolt.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the Rear Mount-Through Bolt to 110 N·m(81 ft-lbs).


    Object Number: 928767  Size: SH
  13. Tighten front mount-through bolt.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the Front Mount-Through Bolt to 110N·m (81 ft-lbs).

  15. Lower vehicle.
  16. Verify repair.

Parts Requirements

Part Number

Description

22716366

MOUNT-ASM TRANS RR

Claim Information

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for J1953 (Mount, Powertrain [Eng/Trans]-Rebalance/Adjust). An "add time" condition is provided should it be necessary to replace the mount.