engine and drivetrain Where do I look for engine mount fatigue?

[WILLIAM]

Engine is out and ready to be reinstalled. Before it was rebuilt because of some bearing/crankshaft issues, the engine wobbled at low rpm. I'm wondering if there might be a problem with the engine mounts as well. The right side rubber seems softer than the left.

[Mike Self]

mount bracket. If it's just a bent piece of metal (no welded reinforcements) replace it. They fatigue, crack and break with semi disastrous consequences. On the left side, make sure the bracket (welded to the subframe) isn't cracked. They're notorious for stress-cracking, and repairing is easy with the engine out.

If you have no idea how old the rubber mounts are and/or they're original, replace 'em on general principles. German rubber bathed in oil doesn't last long (do the rear tranny mount while you're at it).

BTW, 2002 engines are mounted very flexibly, so they do shake at idle. That's normal.

cheers, and don't be a lurker any more...isn't posting fun?

mike

[WILLIAM]

Thanks, Mike

[Martin]

My motor mount had two cracks. Here's a picture of one of 'em.

You may have to get things really clean in order see the cracks. The cracks in my mount weren't easy to see until after I had the subframe stripped and sandblasted.

There are two repair approaches: You can reinforce the mount by welding metal to the engine side of the mount--that's what I did. Or, you can weld a piece of metal to the steering box side of the mount--turning it into a box section. The box section approach seems to be the most popular and easiest to to carry out. I have helped two friends carry out the box section repair on their '02s. It seems to work just fine.

My writeup here. http://www.2002tii-restoration.org/projects/front_subframe.htm

Good luck!

[WILLIAM]

Thanks Martin.