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I have a 2001 Forester and there is  considerable play on the engine and transmission in the horizontal plane. While checking the exhaust system by grabbing a hold of it and looking for loose pipes I noticed the pipes are tight but I can move the whole power train back and forth horizontally with the exhaust pipe . When the car is running you can watch the muffler move back and forth horizontally as well. I've never seen this in another vehicle. Is this normal? Seems to me that the motor mounts are bad and need to be replaced, can someone help me with this?

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Sleeve,

 

Yes, that doesn't sound normal, or safe. Too much movement wears axle shafts and bearings. Your car is now 13 years old, and the rubber components in the mounts may well have deteriorated and are stressing other components. Get your mechanic to check it out, and if any mounts need replacing, consider the extra cost of going with factory parts, as they will fit much better than aftermarket.

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Thanks for the replies on this. I have had a chance to inspect the mounts. The lower motor mounts appear to be good and still bonded to the metal as well as the transmission mounts but I know looks can be deceiving. The top mount on the bellhousing / firewall had a lot of sideways slop to it and could be the problem so I ordered a new one and am waiting on it. If that doesn't do it then the next mount I'll replace will be the one for the transmission mainly due to ease of replacement. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not the lower motor mounts as the manual says fan and radiator must come out, wheels must come off and the engine hoisted part way out to change them. What a PIA for two simple mounts!! 

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I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not the lower motor mounts as the manual says fan and radiator must come out, wheels must come off and the engine hoisted part way out to change them. What a PIA for two simple mounts!! 

 

What other car/engine could you any more easily change motor mounts????  Subaru engines are some of the lightest in the automotive world......and the mounts can be removed easily from underneath with a single 14mm socket and wrench.  They could have made it alot harder......believe me.........Ever try to change  a motor mount on a Volvo or Mercedes???? Or even a Nissan or Honda.......all of those engines mounting are a BEAOOCH to change.

 

To me that seems simple as can be.......FWIW, you do not need to remove radiator or fans.....just be sure lifting up engine that you don't over stretch the radiator hoses.

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Subaru mounts are very easy to change compared to other makers I've seen. Volvo has a rear mount that's integrated with the steering rack on the older S60 models. Have to drop the front subframe to get it out.

 

I've seen a few broken transmission mounts on these. Haven't ever seen a broken engine mount but it can happen.

Easy way to check them is just cram a prybar in there and try to lift the engine or transmission up.

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