About transmission mounts: 
Alright, so you’re probably wondering what these transmission mounts actually do, especially if you’ve just had your car knocked back on its WOF out in Hamilton or any of the nearby towns. To keep it simple, the transmission’s one of the chunkiest, heaviest things hanging out under your bonnet. It’s not going to sit there happily by itself, so the car’s got these chunky mounts — usually steel, sometimes with thick rubber — that screw the transmission solid to your car’s frame. They soak up all the vibrations and knocks as you belt along Kahikatea Drive or crawl through school traffic in Rototuna, so you’re not feeling every shudder or jolt through the seat.
Over time, especially with all the stop-start driving we see around Pak n Save, or rumbling over potholes on Dinsdale Road or into Morrinsville, those mounts can start wearing down. Even the best ones will get tired after years of Hamilton’s humid winters and dry, sticky summers. That’s when trouble starts.
What causes transmission mounts to give up?
From what we see in the workshop, it’s often a mix of a few things.
- Hard driving & rough gear changes – If you’re the sort who likes to put your Suzuki Swift or Volkswagen Passat through its paces, launching it over those big old speed bumps in Nawton or giving it a bit of welly coming off the lights, that’s all stress on the mounts. Sudden gear shifts, a bit of aggressive driving — that’ll wear them quicker for sure. Try to go easy on it, especially when you don’t need to fang it.
- Knocks from underneath – We get it, some of those speed humps around Fairfield come out of nowhere, but if you smack one too hard or bottom out on a dodgy driveway in Cambridge, those big knocks put a real hammering on the mounts. Next thing you know, things aren’t sitting so straight under there.
- Uneven wear – Here’s a trickier one: once one mount starts going, the rest have to try pick up the slack. That means they’re more stressed and will wear out quicker too. That’s why a lot of mechanics (us included) often recommend replacing a set, not just the one that’s stuffed.
What are the signs your transmission mounts are stuffed?
- Loud vibrations – If your car’s started buzzing or shaking like a cheap electric toothbrush, especially when you’re idling or starting off from the lights on Victoria Street, there’s a good chance those mounts aren’t holding things steady.
- Clunking & thumping – You give it a bit of gas up Peachgrove Road, or slam on the brakes for a cyclist near Te Kowhai, and suddenly you hear this nasty clunk. That’s often the transmission lurching about and smacking something it shouldn’t be.
- Other bits get damaged – When that heavy transmission gets loose, it can start knocking around, bashing against exhaust parts, sensors, or even making your CV joints unhappy. We’ve seen it plenty on Kia Sorentos, Mazda 6s, even the odd Volvo XC70 or SsangYong out of Tamahere!
- Shaking on start-up (FWD cars mainly) – A pretty typical one for Hyundais, Nissans and some European wagons — fire up the engine and the whole car rocks back and forth like it’s been startled. Usually a dead giveaway your mounts are tired.
Failed your WOF because of loose transmission mounts?
Transmission mounts that are worn, cracked, or straight-up loose can make your car unsafe. That’s why they get checked every time you come in for a WOF. If the tech spots too much movement under the gearbox or transmission, it’s a red flag — and a pretty common reason for failing WOFs here in Hamilton and the surrounding towns like Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu, and Raglan.
If you’ve been told your mounts need fixing, chances are you’ll need a replacement before you can get back on the road. There’s more info about it here: Learn more about WOF requirements for the engine and transmission
Replace all the mounts? Or just one?
We get asked this all the time. If only one’s gone, yep, you can just swap that out — it’s a bit cheaper upfront. Problem is, the others have probably copped a hiding as well, so they might not be far behind. Replacing the lot can save on labour hours and hassles down the track. When you bring your car in for service, one of our techs will give all the mounts a proper look and let you know what’s actually needed. No stuffing about, just the honest story.
Hamilton’s local transmission mount replacement & repairs
If your Honda Fit, Skoda Octavia, or just about any other car needs new transmission mounts, whether you’re in Hillcrest, Flagstaff, or cruising in from Huntly for your WOF, we’re here to help. Grimmer Motors has been looking after Hamilton drivers for years — we’ll get it sorted, make sure your car’s running smooth and safe again. Definitely beats dealing with annoying shakes and noise every day.
For transmission mount replacement or WOF repairs in Hamilton, sing out to us at Grimmer Motors. Give us a yell — we’ll look after you.