Top Motor Mount Remove & Replace

[SRichards2012]

Hey Rich i have a 1994 Saturn Sc2 somehow the mount that the motor mount is fastened to broke can you help please? Thanks

[richpin06a]

@SRichards2012 Are we talking this mount were it is fastened to the motor.

[karlakatie2215]

Hi rich ,I want to send you a video of a issue I'm having , do you have a email I can send it

[airboi6]

is it that easy for any make and model?

[richpin06a]

@airboi6 No it is not.

[theomnation]

Bolts/nuts weren't properly Torqued, engine wasn't aligned, and you spun them on with an impact?

Come on man, if you are going to make these "DIYS", at least do it correctly.

[gsxrboy408]

Best*

[gsxrboy408]

Man beat video on you tube, you could see every single step

[karlakatie1522]

Yes. I have done a timing chain , it starts right up so it can't be a timing issue,and I was really careful doing the job, no vac leaks ,checked with carb spray ,and smoke test... What gives ,any ideas...thanx rich

[karlakatie2215]

Hey rich, I replaced the top mount on my 02 s series , but still having some vibration, should I change the trans mount and the dog bone mounts too??...

[richpin06a]

@karlakatie2215 How is your car running.Have you do done a complete tune up.Checked for vacuum leaks.

[ThebigHurtt]

before jacking engine should i losen the bolts on the engine side so im not moving it when its up and should i replace the studs too thank you very much

[bm0n3ybmg77]

i need to replace my motor mounts in my 95 saturn sc1 but it has a problem with getting up to speed and staying up there. could it be something else besides the motor mounts?

[omarG19100]

@richpin06a thanks man.

[omarG19100]

@richpin06a so the 98 sohc is the 1st generation? and the dohc is the second generation?

[richpin06a]

@omarG19100  91-95 first gen 96-99 second gen 00-02 third gen sohc and dohc are engines

[ThebigHurtt]

how important is is it to do the part at the end

[richpin06a]

@ThebigHurtt It has to be done to remove all the vibration.

[bonesbrigade22]

Can you do the job without raising the engine that little bit? I just have a small dinky jack that came with the car : /

[richpin06a]

@bonesbrigade22 You really need a jack to do this job

[MustangGTR2]

@richpin06a what would be the failure symptoms for this top mount ?

[richpin06a]

@MustangGTR2 Lots of vibrations inside the car will be felt.

[MustangGTR2]

@richpin06a like you were riding on the arizona proving grounds ?

[bonesbrigade22]

When I reverse, change gears, and down shift when coming to a stop my car makes like a popping sound or hard jerk. Went to a local Tune and Lube and the guy told me your motor mount is done. I am going to replace it, but do you think that is the main problem?

[richpin06a]

@bonesbrigade22 It sounds like it could be a mount problem.

[hunnidz]

Great video, this helps immensely!

[TJHassis]

Rich,

Thanks for this video and the video on replacing the lower transmission mount. My neighbor and I replaced both, and the dogbones. The car drives like it is brand new (no kidding). Thanks for all your help. If I had more time, I'd create a video of the dogbones. Definatly the one above the transmission is the easiest. Best to you.

[phat89beast]

THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE U MAN

[69in89]

My 94 SC1 vibrates REALLY bad when I first start it up. I was told the reason why it vibrates so much is because the front end got wrecked somehow. I was also told That i have a bad motor mount(s) as well. Is it really the motor mounts?

[richpin06a]

@69in89 Most likely it is your motor mounts that are bad.

[TJHassis]

Rich, at 3:56 you show a mount. I have ordered the replacement mount as show at the cranksaft pully. There are two on the Saturn. Do you have a video on how to replace these both mounts? I see this one can be accessed by removing the right tire, and slash guard. Not sure how else to remove it, or the second mount like it, or where the second mount is located that is exaclty the same mount. Any help?

[richpin06a]

@TJHassis I do not have a video on replacing the strut mount you speak of i will put it on my list of to do videos.

[TJHassis]

@richpin06a Thanks for the update Rich. I can not find the information on YouTube, Hanes manual, or somewhere else on the web. I am relacing all four mounts (transmittion mounts, top engine mount, and both sturt mounts). Parts arrived today. From your videos I can complete the tramsission & top engine mounts, and reset the strut mount tension by the crankshaft. Thanks for the great videos Rich. Much appreciated. Any direction on the strut mounts would be very helpful. Peace.

[Shinxxy]

Your videos help so much! Thank you!

[omarG19100]

@RICHPIN I THINK MY MOUNT DONT HAVE RUBBER IN OT ITS JUST LIKE HARD CHROE. DO U THINK THE RUBBER WORE OUT AND FELL OFF? OR DO MY MODEL SUPOSE TO BE THT WAY?

[richpin06a]

@omarG19100 All mounts have rubber it could have fell apart

[DtoWnSux1]

i undid it without jacking the motor up. now i jacked it back into place. should it be hard as hell to turn?

[richpin06a]

@DtoWnSux1 What are you turning

[leatherhogsdon]

I have a 96 saturn SL where's the best place to get the mount you showed in your video?

[omarG19100]

oh ight because one of the youtube videos said the the rubber part of the mount has to be at the to of the mount to be in good condtion but and i tried what u said which was to put a pen in between the rubber and metal. theres quite a space but the pen still does not go through. but wow u make changing these mounts look easy. oh well saves me $70 installation fees lol. BUT THANKS MAN THERES NO WAY I WOULD TOUCH ANYTHING ON A CAR WITHOUT PPL LIKE U TO SHOW HOW ITS PROPERLY DONE(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

[omarG19100]

Question i have the sl1, and everytime i shift gears it jerks a bit. now will this be the mount to change or the tranny mount? THANK U.

[richpin06a]

@omarG19100 Any bad mount might do that you need to check them all.

[mjoekingz28]

Good, thanks richpin thats what I did.......and torqued to 37ft-lbs too!

[mjoekingz28]

Does it really matter Richpin? I'm reading the comments and you tell two folks to let the engine down then loosen and tighten the lower mount. But you tell me to loosen/tighten before letting it down.

[richpin06a]

@mjoekingz28 Some people asked me do i let it down on the ground first and i said no.The engine weight has to be down on the subframe then loosen and tighten the lower mount.

[cal902010]

hey thank you for u video. what model is the car u fix? is the same for a2000 ford focus zx3 .

[richpin06a]

@cal902010 Saturn S-series not the same as the focus

[Sondown57]

Thank you for the help. Sorry for all the comments. First time user.

[Sondown57]

@richpin06a I'm a little confused. Do you lower the motor or not before you loosen and tighten the wishbone mount under the crank.

[Sondown57]

@richpin06a Richpin I'm confused here do you let the motor down or not before you loosen and retighten the wishbone mount under the crank. Your video shows you let the motor all the way down then you loosen and tighten the wishbone mount.

[Sondown57]

@richpin06a Richpin I'm confused here do you let the motor down or not before you loosen and retighten the wishbone mount under the crank

[richpin06a]

@Sondown57 Let the motor down then loosen and retighten.

[mjoekingz28]

richpin, after you complete the installation of the mount by dropping the jack then installing the two mount nuts you go on to loosen and tighten the two crank bolts after the jack has been let down. But in the reply section I think you said you loosen and tighten the crank bolts before the jack has been let down. So is the video out of sequence, do I drop the jack, tighten the top two nuts, then reapply the jack then loosen and tighten the crank bolts with the jack supporting the engine.

[richpin06a]

@MrCorey83 let it all the way down full weight on the mount.

[vicarod]

Once again, Richpin your help was invaluable. Can barely tell the car is running.  The Gen 2 motor mount was nearly sheared in half. Car runs so smooth now.

[richpin06a]

@vicarod Did you replace the studs with your new style mount

[vicarod]

@richpin06a Yessir...mount came with the longer studs. I made sure of that when I bought it. The old ones actually backed out of the timing cover with the nuts. after that, just put the old studs in a vise and backed off the nuts.

I am doing the spark plugs and wires now. just taking a break.

[Renegade7570]

Richpin, can this procedure be used on a Nissan B14? I replaced the front and passenger side motor mounts and I'm experiencing increased vibration. Would I need to loosen the front mount bracket and then re-tighten?

[richpin06a]

@Renegade7570 I have not worked on that model so i am not sure but it does sound like you have a mount problem.

[Renegade7570]

@richpin06a what do you suggest I do?

[nobodyisname]

Tighten and loosen the bracket on the bottom mount before or after letting the jack down?

[richpin06a]

@nobodyisname before

[amishcyborg]

What car is used in the video?

[richpin06a]

@amishcyborg 98 saturn s-series

[josuemgarcia]

this is for a saturn s series i believe, I wish all engine mounts are this easy

[ldemarti]

I just completed this with a friend with no issues, thank you for the tutorial

[ldemarti]

why do you have to loosen and tighten up the bottom bolts?

[richpin06a]

@ldemarti It takes the load off the mount so it will not transmit vibration to the car.

[armonianthug09]

@richpin06a Is that whats called removing the preload on the cradle? any idea were to get good but low cost mounts both transmission and engine.

[amishcyborg]

@richpin06a huh? You can't take the load off the mount - the mount is for load-bearing.

I would have no idea how to find these bolts on some other model of car.

[amishcyborg]

@richpin06a huh? You can't take the load off the mount permanently - the mount is for load-bearing. I think I don't understand what you mean.

More importantly, I would have no idea how to find these bolts on some other model of car. I have a Toyota Camry.

Thanks for the video!

[ldemarti]

cant wait todo this seems easy and yes this will work for 92-2002 Sl2 (question asked earlier.)

[jimailable]

Thank you so much for offering this video. Here's what I learned: make sure you have the most level area possible prior to driving your car up on the car ramps. My front end was slightly uphill, which caused an imbalance when I jacked up the oil pan --also, I had a cheap air gun...eventually used a breaker bar after a few days of WD40. That worked fine. However, as I was taking out the "cap-nuts", the bolts came as well. This led to much finicky jacking, pulling, etc....but all good now.

[TheMantis2010]

hi rich,

what type of drill are you using, or could you suggest a drill a novice could use?

thanks

[richpin06a]

@TheMantis2010 Are you referring to the tool i am using to remove the mount nuts.

[lostwreckage]

What size board is acceptable for jacking up the motor? Is a 2 x 4 strong enough?

[richpin06a]

@lostwreckage yes

[lillilmike]

is this the same for a 1998 saturn sl1? and do you think a novice is capable of it?

[richpin06a]

@lillilmike Yes it is and i believe a novice can do it.

[tyshubrick]

In another video you used a Bic pen to test whether the mount should be replaced. I don't have a bic pen, but I do have a caliper. I tried using a different pen but feel doubtful it's the right size.

Using the caliper, what should the gap be there?

Thanks for all your vids!

[richpin06a]

@tyshubrick Check you inbox i will give you a link to the testing procedure.

[tyshubrick]

In another video you used a Bic pen to test whether the mount should be replaced. I don't have a bic pen, but I do have a caliper. I tried using a different pen but feel doubtful it's the right size.

Using the caliper, what should the gap be there?

Thanks for all your vids!

[immwee]

hi there how come you have to loosen up the nuts on the mount by the crank shaft pulley?

[richpin06a]

@immwee It takes the load off the mount putting it in a neutral position which leads to the engine not transferring vibration to the vehicle.

[17gianna]

hi richpin, its gianna, chemistry student in nothern california. when i changd my s.b. tensioner the other day, i noticed the motor mount below the crank shaft pulley is in bad shape, rubber cracked, etc. do you have a video in storage you could post showing how to change it. also, if i change the top m.m. first and then this one, do i still need to loosen the two studs that go through the frame for the bottom motor mount as you show in this video? thanks again for saving me a tone of $.

[richpin06a]

@17gianna I do not have a video on replacing the bottom dog bone mount at this time,i will put it on my list.Any time you disturber the top mount you have to loose the bottom one.

[bluejeantex]

Thanks Rich!! I replaced my top mount using your video as a guide! less then 10 minutes...done!! Keep up the great work!!

[Ptriple1987]

i have a 1994 saturn sc1...how many motor mounts does it have and where are they located?? i can find the major ones but my engine moves way to much so theres gotta be more then 2...thanks

[richpin06a]

@Ptriple1987 There are four two on each side.One hides under the air box.

[BanjoleleMountaineer]

I just followed these directions on my girlfriend's '95 SW2 and it worked great! Now we can actually hear the music over the awful engine noise it was making.

[konradon]

Is there specific torque you have to apply to the nuts? Thanks

[CrazyWedz]

Love your videos, Rich.

What's the purpose of loosening, then re-tightening the pulley bracket nuts?

[richpin06a]

@CrazyWedz It puts the mount in a neutral or unloaded state to prevent vibration from being transferred to the body of the vehicle.

[CrazyWedz]

@richpin06a

Thanks for the reply, Rich. I'm about to do the procedure myself tonight.

[hyphens]

WOW Thanks so much, you saved me so much money!!!!

[kungfujellybean]

You're the best richpin. I had a little trouble finding the two bolts behind the splash guard, but other than that it went really smooth. Car sounds much , much better now. Thanks again!

[wainsw1]

To get to the bracket by the crankshaft pulley, did you have to remove the passenger tire and splash guard to access it? Thanks for all your help!

[richpin06a]

@wainsw1 Yes if you are replacing the mount.If you are just adjusting the mount no you do not have to.

[wainsw1]

@richpin06a

I finally repaired the top motor mount on my 1999 Saturn SC1 without incident, and it feels like a new car.

This is the 6th time one of your videos has saved me from epic high repair costs. I cannot thank you enough for the time you put into helping us DIYers out.

[missouritiger09]

Oh man, Richpin...I went to replace my motor mount today while doing the water pump due to a massive leak & some car vibration at idle speeds and....2 of the three engine mount nuts have and probably have been for a while, broke off and are stuck into the engine block.... Any recommendations, lol?

[ijetmx]

Thanks very much Richpin. Found your videos via the saturn forums. I replaced my mount today without issue including loosening the lower bracket to unload it. I never thought of looking at it. After seeing your how to check mount video, I found that pass the pen was like throwing a crowbar down a hallway. Needless to say it was collapsed. Less vibe now !

[richpin06a]

Glad i could be of help.

[Chiaroscuros]

I just replaced the mount today! Is it going to be a problem that I didn't get around to loosening/tightening the bottom bracket nuts?

Otherwise the process went fine, other than me having to jack it up farther than I anticipated (possibly due to the old mounts sagging)

[richpin06a]

You could get some extra vibration.

[balaun17]

i was able to do everything except loosen that bracket on the bottom mount. Will this be a problem? I do not have an impact wrench either...

[richpin06a]

You can use a regular ratchet to loosen those nuts.

[Reader12345678910]

thank you again so much!

[badpianoman]

Thank you so much! This was the first time I worked underneath the hood of my car and I was confident thanks to this video.

One thing as a noobie I learned was to get the nuts loose first. I didn't have an impact wrench and it took nearly half a day. I used WD40, hammering, wait time and a lot of elbow grease but I felt really good after I finished the job.

I plan on doing more work on my Saturn. Thanks again!

[balaun17]

I know my engine mount is bad it vibrates bad at idle only when its in gear and i di your pen test and it went all the way through. I would like to replace it but i dont have an impact gun like you, Do i really need one??

[richpin06a]

Regular hand tools will work find.

[unclaimedtreas]

I was thinking ..."I can do this!"... until you did the engine jacking block of wood thing. I'm a woman and we don't have that stuff here at the house. My 2002 SL2 has turned into a money pit since March.

[RC60618]

@unclaimedtreas

Buy a floor jack

[CarmikeEmp]

I recently had my upper mount replace do to vibration thoughout the car while at a red light. If i put the car in N it would stop.

After they replaced the mount, same thing. So they replace the trans mount....

but the problem is still occuring ...

think the tech just did not settle the engine?

[babrad8]

This is a great service you provide! Changed out my motor mount this afternoon in about 30 minutes.

[cdc82069]

Will you be showing how to replace the mount under the crank shaft pully? My 1995 SC1 has over 278,000 miles and the rubber is gone! Thanks! I really like your videos!

[richpin06a]

I'll see what i can do.

[foxybrown2]

richpin could you do a video on how to replace your front struts on a saturn 1996 model I think

mine are busted or lose

[richpin06a]

When i get one that needs struts i will do one but i don't see it in the near future.

[AlfaGTVVeloce]

Thank you Rich. I just changed my upper mount on my 1996 Saturn SL2 thanks to your great video. My next job is to change my front brake rotors this weekend. You have saved me hundreds of dollars, I never realized Saturns are so easy to work on. Thanks.

[shay10us]

Any specific torquing on the nuts/bolts?

[efemall]

37 ft-lbs for everything.

If you are replacing the 3 engine mount studs, they are 89 INCH-lbs (~7.5 ft-lbs)

[delsydsoftware]

I just finished changing the motor mount on my 96 sl2. It was absolutely destroyed! Anyway, I can't believe how quiet the car is now. It must have been going bad for a while. This is a great video---I managed to get mine done in about 20 minutes as well.

[robusto2000]

Awesome.  My 1996/175K SL2 was way overdue but, who knew? Rich, changed the part before I went to work in all of 20 minutes. What a difference. Thanks, your video was right on the money!! Al

[pierangler]

Thanks for the video Rich! I changed the motor mount on my 1993 Saturn SL2 today. It took me about 20 minutes. The noise and vibration is all gone now.

[Paulpunkrocks]

Is this generally what you have to do when you replace the motor mount?

[slinger777]

well thanks any way. I was so excited that I went out in the drievway at two in the morning then I looked again when I woke up I think I can put two bick pens in there. So it must be ok.

[slinger777]

wow my 1999 saturn has 235,000 it is real loud inside sounds like a drum would this help ?

[richpin06a]

Do the mount test to see if it is bad.

[Jamie70]

I followed the instructions in the video this morning and changed the motor mount on my '98 SL2. Much less cabin vibration now! Thanks Richpin!

[srpope80]

Good Work!

[nitrofx1]

Thanks, very helpfull!