Questions and Answers

Sable Broke Something Q. Hi, I have a 1997 Mercury Sable LS, 24 valve V-6 with ABS brakes. 77,500 miles. Recently I pulled off pretty fast from a stop light and the RPM's reached 6000 and the car choked slightly. Since then, it downshifts hard when coming to a stop- I feel and hear a mild purring/rumble and it pulls a little so I have to apply a lot of pressure to the brakes.

The RPM rises by about 500-750 more than normal idle. Otherwise, ride and acceleration are great as usual. Do you think something may have blown? Transmission dying? Tune-up? Any advice is appreciated.

A. Since this started after your rather hasty take off and the problem Ford had with the lower sub-frame mounts, I'm going out on a limb here and guess that the sub-frame might have shifted on the car. That would cause a pulling and the noise you're hearing.

It might also account for the faster than normal idle if it's stretched the accelerator cable. The throttle cable being stretched might also explain the hard shifting. Without seeing the car that's about the best I can do for you. Something somewhere broke and this is the only thing I can think of that could possibly explain the symptoms.

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