Engine Mounts Toasted?

[boosthead]

First off I've got an '88 with the original mounts (they look square). So I'm thinking they're trashed by now. I hear a grinding vibration coming from the engine area when I turn hard to the left while giving it some uhmf...sometimes when I turn to the right too but it doesn't seem as bad.

I just crawled under there and they look OK...(covered in oil/fluids tho) How can I tell if this is causing the vibe problem?

If I need new mounts, I was thinkin BIC Polyurethane. Anyone know just how bad the harshness is on these?

 

[92TealSupra]

Well it is very possible it could be your motor mounts. if I were you have someone start your motor. and then use the throttle cable in the engine compartment. see if the engine shakes beyond what it should. ifs it's very violent then you may have that problem. I have used Solid motor mounts, and you have quite a lot of vibration, but when you can shake your car it's pretty neat. it all depends what you want. Polyurethane would bring you close to 89-92 motor mounts which are very nice fluid filled mounts.

 

[boosthead]

Thanks. So i tried revving it and there's no harsh vibes. engine mounts are OK then? Any other ideas what's wrong?

i could just live with it, no more donuts ...:cry:

 

[mkiii222]

The 87/88 mounts are very sturdy.

If it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side, check that your downpipe is secured to the bracket coming off the transmission. If not it will swing and slap that mount as well as your lower control arm.

Mine has come loose several times and you barely hear it turning right, but really hear/feel it turning left.

If the downpipe is secure, it may be time to check/replace your tie rod ends. $30 each from driftmotion for factory ones and they only take ~20 minutes to replace.

 

[tlo86]

i doubt its your mounts.. i havent seen a bad pre 89 mount yet heh

 

[figgie]

88 with bad motors mounts. NOPE.

89+ yes.

87-88? The probability of those mounts failing is miniscule. Perhaps if a semi-truck hits the front end of the car might those mount fail.

 

[mkiii222]

88 with bad motors mounts. NOPE.

89+ yes.

87-88? The probability of those mounts failing is miniscule. Perhaps if a semi-truck hits the front end of the car might those mount fail.

I don't know, I remember seeing pics of an 87 that nailed the back end of a bus and I think he rebuilt without having to do anything to that area other than a rad, fenders, and hood.

 

[adampecush]

if your problem happens when you are turning sharply, the first thing I'd check is your steering system...but that's just me.

 

[tlo86]

take a look at your suspension? balljoints, sway bar endlink, etc.

 

[92TealSupra]

The solid motor mounts shouldn't fail like the above stated posts. The 89+ Are fluid filled and have many of times failed. I have never had any problems with them, but I know many that have.

 

[tlo86]

The solid motor mounts shouldn't fail like the above stated posts. The 89+ Are fluid filled and have many of times failed. I have never had any problems with them, but I know many that have.

every round mount i have dealt with was bad unless it was new =/ mine were ripped apart on my 7m but i honestly never noticed it

 

[adampecush]

The solid motor mounts shouldn't fail like the above stated posts. The 89+ Are fluid filled and have many of times failed. I have never had any problems with them, but I know many that have.

there are quite a few 89s running around with the old square mounts, both of my '89s included.

 

[boosthead]

The 87/88 mounts are very sturdy.

If it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side, check that your downpipe is secured to the bracket coming off the transmission. If not it will swing and slap that mount as well as your lower control arm.

Mine has come loose several times and you barely hear it turning right, but really hear/feel it turning left.

If the downpipe is secure, it may be time to check/replace your tie rod ends. $30 each from driftmotion for factory ones and they only take ~20 minutes to replace.

Interesting you say that...I just had a custom DP fabbed and put on and there's no more bracket or flex. So i think we have a winner! (I really need to update my profile i know...) question is, what do I do now? Try to cobble up some bracket?

I still don't really see how that DP is swinging into the chassis parts, unless the engine roll is that much.

 

[92TealSupra]

Well your engine does move, hence your exhaust does, also road alterations can causes your exhaust to swing, remember your stock exhaust and most exhaust have rubber hangers.. that connect to the chassis and are made to move, it's very possible you do have this problem. I have never had this problem, all my exhaust have had a flex or were made to a perfect spec.

Look around and see if it was hitting anything then come back and tell us what you found.

 

[boosthead]

Look around and see if it was hitting anything then come back and tell us what you found.

Follow up: I looked under there and sure enough the exhaust is about 1/4" from the structural member where the mount attaches. I can move the exhaust by hand and it will hit up against this part. Now just driving down the road it sounds like it might be hitting a little. That's 3" exhaust for ya. I would be nice to get it fixed tho. anyone have a suggestion on how to fix?

btw, I took it back to the shop that did the exhaust and they looked at it, said the center bearing was bad and causing the noise. So I'll fix the bearing, but if the noise is still there, we got issues.