I have been having some vibration issues at idle. Tried new plugs etc, but still shakes at idle in drive. Last week, I jacked it up, took out the motor mount to subframe bolts, took the weight off the engine and inspected the mounts.

Well, they wiggled and moved around just by me grabbing them so I think its safe to assume they are shot. Ok, got new mounts this week. Straightforward job right? A few bolts, lower the engine and im on my way? Noooooooo......How do you get to that back bolt? I cant even see it let alone take it out. The subframe covers it up. Anybody do this job? Would it be any easier if the motor were even higher off the frame? thanks 99 obw 2.5 dohc

does the vibration go away when you slip it into 'N'?

 

it isn't the motor mounts, it is probably the axles.

 

have you replaced an axle recently?

 

how long have you had the car? how many miles?

 

was it doing this when you bought it?

 

i installed an engine one time with no motor mounts on it. i lifted it back up and added them. it was a real b1tch, but i got it. of course i had the engine hoist right there to use and the dog bone on top of the trans was disconnected.

 

but it is not the mounts, it's the axles, probably.

cheap axles transfer the vibration from the engine to the front end of the car.

It is a by feel only job. And yes a real PITA.

All the air stuff has to be off to allow you to lean in and use a 14mm ratcheting wrench to loosen /tighten. I used a thin piece of wood as a better peace of mind thing while working.

Starting the threads was always the worst for me.

 

O.

These engine mounts are a PITA to change with the engine in the car. Like OC said, remove the airbox and reach down from the top, you have to do it by feel. If you have one of those round mirrors on a stick that can help.

Also be undoing cross member nuts that are on the motor mounts and, removing the dog bone and jacking the engine as far out of the cradle as you can without breaking anything....Pay close attention the how much stress you put on the AC lines !!!!!! helps alot.

 

It brings the engine high enough that once you feel the bolt you can actually get a wrench on it...Its still a PIA

I replaced an axle but that was months ago. And by chance I got an autozone axle. They are made by, according to nipper, the same Mexican co. That makes the oem axles. I got this vibration after the engine was pulled for hg. The mounts are very soft. Like I said, I can flex these mounts with my hands. Do I have to disconnect the dogbone? What about the trans mount? Should I loosen that too? Thanks guys, don't think I would have figured out attacking this from the top on my own, well maybe ,after a lot of frustration and busted knuckles

I'd like a report on that when you're done. Mine does the same thing. In drive at idle, vibrates like a mother. If slipped into neutral, smooths right out. Been considering this job for some time. Let me know how it goes K?

Yeah definitely remove the dogbone if you haven't done that. Getting that out of the way will allow you to lift the engine much higher.

No need to mess with the trans mount.

I got this vibration after the engine was pulled for hg.

 

Maybe your ignition wires got crossed?

 

Double check connections, could be something simple.