Motor Mounts

[imdpapaa]

Well i took the P.T. in for a transmission fluid and filter change, car has 66,000 on it now, 2003 model. had them do a 27 point inspection on it also.
Well it seems i have 2 broken motor mounts and they want $385.00 to replace them, parts and labor. guess i will do it myself. any problems i should be aware of ???

[Mean Green]

Just support the engine and don't let it move around when the mount is off or you'll have to realign it. Do them one at a time. I've always done the top first.

[phatdad]

l would upgrade the mounts the stock ones are junk. Check these out. Ck PT Crew for other vendors Deyeme Racing: engine mounts, aluminum brackets, and other quality mods for your modern MoPar

[Bosch]

You have an n/a or turbo?

Its the same process for both cars, but the catch is that for the N/A cars the A/C lines run right through where you need to put your hand to work the socket wrench. And wiggle out the top mount.

A stubby socket wrench is a must. A helper is a must since you will need someone to hold the A/C lines out of your way. There will be bloodshed- how much is up to you.

Do you drive a Auto or 5-speed. Here's why the vibration factor will go up the harder you make your mounts. Again a catch - 5-speeds don't seem to suffer from it as bad as the Auto cars do.

If your mounts are just worn but still look ok, you could try inserts and save some cash over having your mount filled solid.. Modern Performance Racing Products - under SRT4(Neon)/bolt on performance. Two levels of bushing street/race street a little softer/race harder and make a difference. Yep same thing.

Modern Performance Racing Products

[imdpapaa]

Originally Posted by Bosch

You have an n/a or turbo?

Its the same process for both cars, but the catch is that for the N/A cars the A/C lines run right through where you need to put your hand to work the socket wrench. And wiggle out the top mount.

A stubby socket wrench is a must. A helper is a must since you will need someone to hold the A/C lines out of your way. There will be bloodshed- how much is up to you.

Do you drive a Auto or 5-speed. Here's why the vibration factor will go up the harder you make your mounts. Again a catch - 5-speeds don't seem to suffer from it as bad as the Auto cars do.

If your mounts are just worn but still look ok, you could try inserts and save some cash over having your mount filled solid.. Modern Performance Racing Products - under SRT4(Neon)/bolt on performance. Two levels of bushing street/race street a little softer/race harder and make a difference. Yep same thing.

Modern Performance Racing Products

No not a turbo and i have the c.d. from the factory and while looking at it today i saw that there are 4 mounting points, but only 2 are actually mounts 2 are torque struts and i think that is what the dealer thinks are bad, they are calling them mounts because they say the top and bottom are bad and there is not a top mount only a torque strut. before i took it for service i had no problem with noise or bad shifting, now when i slow down the 3,2 shift is so agressive that it feels like the engine is going to fall out, i think the mechanic loosend something to check the mounts and now the position of the torque struts are off. i am taking it back on monday and have them check it again. having been a mechanic for 36 years it kills me to have to have work done by someone else.

[DARKPT]

There IS an alignment process for the torque struts. Its in the PT Service Manual. If you don't have that handy, I referred to it here when I was instaling Energy suspension bushings. Scroll down the page to just before the last picture on the page.

The Energy set came with an insert for the lower torque strut. Sadly, that one piece of an otherwise flawless set has been a pain in the neck for me. It comes in two pieces that are zip-tied together. I've been through two sets of zip ties (they keep breaking) and need to either install a third set or just remove the inserts.

[Johnny D]

I just had one of the motor mounts replaced on my 2001 LE at 121,400 miles. It was not a bad repair bill, and my 100,000 mile plus warranty covered it and reimbursed $ 161.00.

[Bosch]

Originally Posted by DARKPT

There IS an alignment process for the torque struts. Its in the PT Service Manual. If you don't have that handy, I referred to it here when I was instaling Energy suspension bushings. Scroll down the page to just before the last picture on the page.

The Energy set came with an insert for the lower torque strut. Sadly, that one piece of an otherwise flawless set has been a pain in the neck for me. It comes in two pieces that are zip-tied together. I've been through two sets of zip ties (they keep breaking) and need to either install a third set or just remove the inserts.

get the modern performance ones, direct drop in for the torque strut, no zip ties to deal with. No one I know has had any issues with them. I helped with the install of at least 5 sets of them and none of us have had any issues other than the normal vibration. Ok one had a bolt start to back out, but I don't do the final torque, my job is the small hand stuff, I have little hands so I put it all together and let the guy with the torque wrench do the final specs. That way I can also go bandage my wounds.

imdpapaa the two I am talking about are two torque struts. The one when you look in the engine bay to the left of the intake in the front(bumper) side of the bay and the other is behind the splash shield on the passenger side. Basically behind the tire. The lower is easy just takes a bit to get the splash shield off. And you will break the plastic plugs that hold in the splash shield. Do support the motor with a jack while you work this mount/strut.

My GT had one filled and one OEM and it was very squirely when I stomped on the power, when I installed my filled struts it did settle the car down quite a bit. I have inserts in my N/A it helped it just lauch a little better gave it a more direct feel. It also puts a stop to the floppy fish syndrome - the motor when started flopping like a dying fish in the engine bay.

[DARKPT]

Thanks for the tip! Is this the one you're talking about (which is actually listed for the Neons)?

[Bosch]

Originally Posted by DARKPT

Thanks for the tip! Is this the one you're talking about (which is actually listed for the Neons)?

Sure is exactly the same mount. I have the race version in my N/A PT. These will fit any year PT, turbo or N/A..

Note: if you have an auto and are afraid of the vibration these may cause get the Street version.