Engine Mount Replacement

[n2soccer21]

Hi,

Both of my front engine mounts are broken and only the rear one remains (or so I'm told). Is this something I should look into replacing myself or does this require a lot of labor, like removing the entire engine, etc?

CarX estimated the cost to be about $550 including labor. Does this seem like a reasonable charge for the job?

Thanks!

 

[Racer X]

$550? Burn.

Get a re-enforced mount from NESHO or SHO Source. Shouldn't take more than 90 minutes for a first timer with hand tools.

You'll be draining and refilling your cooling system, so have enough coolant on hand.

 

[SHObill]

about $100 too high!
frt & tranny re enforced mounts shipped about $300
installed @ $75hr X 2 = $150
-if you can find a tranny mount let alone re enforced!!

 

[sperold]

If you are going to have someone else perform this job, only take it to a shop that you have seen post on this forum. Everyone else will take way too long and thus charge way too much.
I was unable to buy new mounts for my MTX. I got used ones from this forum and I suggest you do the same thing.
If your existing mounts are not torn up, they can be fixed. Noodle around this forum and find references to Devcon 90. The mounts are vastly improved when reinforced by this method. You can pour them yourself or you can send the mounts away to have it done.
I got used mounts and installed them (at clutch change time), and kept the original mounts to reinforce, but I have not done it yet.
Save up your maintenance requirements and have everything done at once. Get a new lower rad hose ahead of time, and anything else you want done down there. Then take it to a recommended shop and make the work count.

 

[n2soccer21]

Sounds good, I really appreciate the advice so far!

Seems like an obvious answer, but does replacing the engine mounts require removing the engine? If a first-timer can do it in 90 minutes, I guess not, although the nature of an engine mount suggests otherwise to me. I hope I'm wrong.

Thanks.

 

[Racer X]

No removal is necessary, however you will need to jack up the engine. Once the car is in the air on jackstands, and you've removed the lower radiator hose, and after removing the front engine mount to subframe nut, you can jack up the engine with a block of wood under the oil pan. Once it's high enough, unbolt the front engine mount from the mount bracket, and remove from vehicle.

Reverse is opposite of install.

 

[geomarathoner]

Other guys sound right....$550 is waaay too much....just to clarify, you want to support that part of the engine weight that's being carried by the particular mount you're replacing. Takes any stress off the rubber and bolts. And I'd suggest a thick piece of plywood (maybe even 2 @ 3/4" thick) under the pan. Many people have broken the fins on that pretty cast aluminum oil pan.

 

[shocar]

step by step,
1) run the car up on ramps if you have them so you'll have more room to work
2) take off the main nut on both front and rear motor mounts.
3) undo the lower radiator hose clamp and have a bucket to catch the radiator fluid
4) get a block of wood. plywood as stated above and transmission jack if you have one, raise the engine up to get the clearance you need to get the mount out. Because you have the car up on ramps you may need a pretty good size block of wood to make up for height. The rear mount is more difficult if I am remembering right as the Powersteering pump is bolted to it. If you have a strut tower connector you need to unbolt that also before you lift the engine up as the motor will not go high enough to get enough clearance.
5) Pull the one of the old mounts out and replace with the new one. I would do one at a time just case your jack slips.

I hope this helps.

 

[Racer X]

I would strongly recommend that you do not do this repair while on ramps.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

http://www.shophoenixproject.com/mm/mm.htm

 

[n2soccer21]

I just got back from studying abroad and I'm finally ready to replace the engine mount. I have the link for a detailed replacement of 1 mount, but I thought the mechanic said 2 front mounts were broken. Are there 2 front mounts or just 1? Where are they located, or will it be easy to find?

Thanks!

 

[SuperHO]

there's only one front mount...it'll be on the passenger side of the engine bay on the bottom. one thing you haven't told us is whether or not your car's a stick or auto.

 

[n2soccer21]

Ah right, sorry. Mine is an auto. It looks like there is a front and rear right mount, but only 1 left mount. The mechanic said "both front mounts" need to be replaced. Might he have meant both rights, or maybe the front right and the left?

Thanks.

 

[-DVP-]

Where about in MO are you? St Louis SHO is probably going to be your closest place to go for quality work.

 

[n2soccer21]

Seriously? There's a STL SHO? I'm in West County of St. Louis. Wow, I really wish I had known that before! Thanks a lot!

Looks like it's only about 15 minutes away even!

 

[n2soccer21]

Props to St. Louis SHO! James and Dylan did a great job on my motor mounts and transmission mount. Thanks again, guys!

 

[ErykJ]

I would strongly recommend that you do not do this repair while on ramps.

May I ask why? I liked the idea of ramps I thought it would really help get my belly under there

 

[zoomlater]

May I ask why? I liked the idea of ramps I thought it would really help get my belly under there

This is a 10 year old thread so Racer X probably won't reply. If you look at the steps in the link, you have to remove the front tire

SHO Phoenix Project (yamahasho.com)