[mrnickleye]

damdog05 (quote) also, where the transmission mount is, there is a gold bolt like thing coming from under the brace. that bolt like thing is sticking down about half an inch, should it be?


That "bolt" looking thing is NOT turnable. Last week I replaced my tranny mount (cost me $24, list is $48 at Parts Plus store, call around). Toyota List $$49-59.
Anchor 8218 [Transmission Mount]; With A340e-4at, W55-5MT, R154-5MT, W58-5MT; 1 Required Per Vehicle

Same mount, auto or manual, and as far as I could tell, all years of MKIIIs will work (even if they have years listed different).

Easy job. Just Support trans, and remove bolts. Clean metal parts with spray brake cleaner and brush and rag. Reassemble with new mount. (Tip: run bolts into/outof the mount's threaded holes first, to make them go in easier during installation on car).

I saw that the bolt acts as a 'guide pin', so the mount rubber won't move too much to one side or the other. It was welded in place at the top (in the threaded nut) after it was installed at the factory.

I will say that if yours is down 1/2" or more, the rubber supports are worn out, so change the mount.

My car has another rubber piece on the metal crosspiece that acts as a 'safety support' in the event that the trans mount wears out and lets the trans sag too low. Mine was not touching that rubber, but almost.

My car had just a bit of engine vibration that I could feel sometimes. Now I don't feel any vibration at all.

I took a 5 hr drive in the mtns last Sat. and it was totally smooth.

So I'd suggest changing the trans mount to everyone that hasn't done so.