Reversing with full right lock in reverse (it does it in neutral but full right lock) with car coasting downhill onto my drive

Any ideas?

Getting worse ( louder, more frequent)

To save reading I think it might be an engine mount. When turning full right lock with engine running the engine can be seen dropping on its left most side at least 2inch.

Could the engine gearbox mount be failing allowing more movement? Gear changes are excellent. Gear box fluid was changed 50k miles ago.

How hard a job to swap out gearbox mount?

Car on 108k miles now. My other car needed new mounts also (88k miles)

Noise could be gearbox or steering rack?

I've ruled out

Track rod ends (both had split rubbers 30k miles, 8years). Ball joints (both replaced with TREs.

Droplinks (no splits, no play) with wheels off car.

Arb bush - checked bolts. Polybushed 8years ago. No play

Arb - no play, cracks

Wheel bearing replaced both sides but years ago and 1 year ago.

No loose bolts

Nearside driveshaft replaced - not this, bolts checked.

Inner track rod end replaced 8years ago, again no play.

Steering - jacked up or with wheels on and on ground. I have full movement and no notchiness etc.

Brake pads - not this or seized caliper.

LCA bushes are Cupra bushes (8years ago). Checked front bush bolt, again tight.

Hub nut tight

Engine dog bone bolts tight and poly bushed years ago.

Thanks

If its a failed mount and the engine is dropping 2" on gearbox end I cant see any way it would rise up again. It might be a failed top mount on front strut. Gearbox mount is fairly easy to replace anyway. Raise gearbox slightly and support. I have a cross engine bar with lifting chains and loosen bolts. Remove and replace with new. You may have to remove battery and tray to get access. and you may also have to remove dogbone to get enough clearance movement.

Alasdair

Just out of interest,

What Fabia is it, Engine / Gearbox & year?

Vrs MK1, BLT 07. Jnc gearbox and 6 speed

I've just done the same mount and another lower mount in another car and the gear changes are slick, accepts 1st before full stop. Vibration from glovebox has gone and seems to be better in corners.

I'm going to replace.

I've got an engine hoist but I agree I think gearbox needs slightly raising to take weight off bolts. Definitely removing battery plus tray.

My astra had a nut behind edge of the wheel arch plastic to undo. Different design here.

Edited 8 May, 20251 yr by bmbmdmb

Check you don't have a chunk missing of the front spring. I had one that clonked at full lock as the bottom coil was missing about 2" and It didn't sit well in strut and clonked away at full lock.

Alasdair

I checked that initially. Car is on its 2nd set of springs, shocks at front.

It's on its 3rd set of rear shocks, springs. The rear shocks only lasted 30k miles from dealer parts, so not cheapo ones. No weeping, but off car they were not returning. On car they were allowing more suspension travel at rear. If your bump stops have split on rear shocks it is time for replacement.

Edited 9 May, 20251 yr by bmbmdmb

Solved - gearbox mount bush needed replacing. Noise disappeared and better gear changes too noted.

After replacing I did engine mount near cam belt and this improved feel of car in bends although probably not worth doing.

Under engine mount polybushed previously. Could hear engine slapping body on hard acceleration out a junction