Shakes while in reverse

2013 MAZDA 3
90,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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LUKE LUGNORE
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My Son's car shakes when he puts it in reverse. no problem in drive or park. can someone help?
Mar 22, 2019 at 7:45 AM
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JOETECHPRO
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Hey LUKE LUGNORE,

First make sure the transmission fluid is to the correct level to rule this out.

It sounds like a bad motor or transmission mount to me.

With the park brake on if you can get someone to watch the motor whilst you change from D to R do you see excessive movement? If you see the motor shift a significant amount i this points towards a bad mount.

You can then visually inspect the mounts for damage.

You should see a motor mount on the passenger side of the engine underneath the coolant expansion tank. Check for signs of oil leaking around this mount. I believe this mount is fluid filled and would cause vibration if the fluid has leaked.

Hope that helps.

Regards, Joe
Mar 23, 2019 at 12:59 PM
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LUKE LUGNORE
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I checked the fluid and it was low but when I put more in it made no difference.I steped on the gas to bring the engine up to 3000 rpms and the foot on the break I heard a bang under the car and the problem was gone what do you thing the bang was?
Mar 26, 2019 at 11:27 AM
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JOETECHPRO
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Hey LUKE LUGNORE,

What gear were you in when you brought the revs up with your foot on the brake? Have you driven it and now everything is working as it should?

Did you check the motor mounts?

Regards, Joe

Mar 26, 2019 at 12:31 PM
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LUKE LUGNORE
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I had the car in reverse when I heard the bang.The motor mounts look good. there is no shaking in reverse since I did that.
Mar 26, 2019 at 12:39 PM
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JOETECHPRO
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Hey LUKE LUGNORE,

If it now drives well and shifts correctly i really would advise you recheck all of the motor and transmission mounts.

Some engine mounts are fluid filled (I believe the passenger side top mount under the coolant expansion tank is on these Mazda's) so you will see a stain around the mount if it has gone. Other wise it will be just a rubber mount, carefully move the mount with a pry bar. The mount should have resistance a spring back to the original location. You should not be able to get the two isolated metal parts of the mount to contact when doing this.

Hope this helps.

Let us know if you find anything.

Regards, Joe
Mar 26, 2019 at 10:38 PM