Engine Mounts / Tranny Mounts

[vped023]

Hi. I have a few questions about engine mounts.... First off, I've been told by my dealer that I need to replace 3 engine mounts. (among the other repairs I have already done... ) Hopefully this will be my last repair for a while.... My question is, my car is completely stock... should I stick with stock mounts or upgrade to a better quality?

Also, they suggested that I look into replacing my transmission mount as well. I'm not very knowledgeable on the mechanics of the car, so I'm not sure if they're just trying to get some more money out of me or not....

I'm also looking for a good mechanic that isn't going to rape me every time I have a problem w/ my car.... I live in the Miami area and really could use some suggestions and advice.

Thanks guys,
V

[EBG 18T]

There are a ton of engine mount options. Alot of folks like the OEM b6 S4 mounts since they are a tad stiffer than the A4 mounts and reasonably priced. I opted for the B5 RS4 since they are stiffer then the others and still OEM quality (heat sheilds etc..) There are also 034, stern and others. Many of these are cheaper than OEM and very good qulaity. Personally i like the OEM stuff. The S4 or B5 RS4 OEM mounts would be excellent options to look at.

[rxrep]

I've been told by my dealer

That's all you needed to say. OE mounts are fluid filled, and there are two. The third is the "snub" mount and technically doesn't support the weight of the engine. I haven't seen the driver's side and snub go bad much. I have seen the passenger side mount go, perhaps because of the heat off the turbo. I would for sure go aftermarket on all as it's cheaper and they are better quality. I would avoid OE because of being fluid filled, but that's personal preference. I use the 034 solid mounts and love them. The tranny mount... I'd go aftermarket, too. The whole shebang can be done really easily with minimal tools or knowledge. Don't let a dealer ass-rape you on that at is a pretty easy DIY.

[Matt@EuropaParts]

The 034 motor mounts are a good blend of performance without being too overbearing (http://www.europaparts.com/034motors...t-density.html). If you track the car or drive it spiritedly, that's not a bad option.

[vped023]

Ok i know this is going to sound really dumb... but how many engine mounts does the car have? I drive a 2005 A4 1.8t

I'm a chick and I have no mechanical skills... do the DIY thing isn't really working for me... LOL

I appreciate your suggestions. I'm going to look into buying the mounts myself and having someone install them. I'm trying to spend as little as possible... I was just raped by the dealer this week.. 1,800 bucks because my cooling fan module blew and I also needed to supposedly replace BOTH fans.... which I thought was odd.... I can't find a good mechanic in Miami that I trust, so I have no other option. I'm trying to educate myself at least a little now and stop letting the dealer walk all over me because I'm a chick.

Thanks again.

[rxrep]

I'm a chick

Uh oh. Let the games begin. Never admit that here. You have two real engine mounts. The "third" mount is actually called a "snub" mount and does not support engine weight but is more to hold the engine in place. So, it all depends on how you define "engine mount". The dealer is probably generalizing so they don't have to explain it to you.

[vped023]

HEY! what's that supposed to mean?

[bigblue]

I'm glad I know all the guys at my local dealership and they'll do some things for free or better yet how to fix it myself if its over my head. You have an engine mount on the driver's side and one on the passenger side. Then you have one between the bumper and the motor called the snub mount... Then depending on if your car is auto or manual you will have 2 tranny mounts for auto or 1 for manual.

EDIT: Lol Looks like I got beat to it

[vped023]

I was told that one mount is completely gone and two others are cracked and leaking fluid.

They can't tell me if I need to replace the transmission mount... he said they have to go in and take it apart... it was a "suggestion"

[rxrep]

HEY! what's that supposed to mean?

You'll find out soon enough. The good part of it is that you'll get more offered help and less "search for it" posts in your thread. But the dogs will be let out in most cases and we'll all chase you away before the thread is completed, lol.

I was told that one mount is completely gone and two others are cracked and leaking fluid.

They can't tell me if I need to replace the transmission mount... he said they have to go in and take it apart... it was a "suggestion"

If it is cracked and leaking fluid, then it is "completely" gone, too. There is no middle ground.

[vped023]

I highly doubt that ANYONE will chase me away... I can hold my own. and any help offered is MUCH appreciate ;-) although it doesn't seem as if anyone is local anyway.

But... thank you for your oh so kind advice.

[ocod]

I was told that one mount is completely gone and two others are cracked and leaking fluid.

They can't tell me if I need to replace the transmission mount... he said they have to go in and take it apart... it was a "suggestion"

very easy to replace and good to get hands dirty.
You will be doing oil changes regulary so go buy a set of rhino ranps at walmart for 40 bucks.
Avoid (widow maker) cars jack for anything :

Just installed my Apikol snub mount. Very easy. Hardest part was getting the GD belly pan back on. Here are some pics/comments:

First, this is my new Euro plate - I know - most people will think it means "I urinate on the law." It stands for "intellectual property law" - my profession. In retrospect, should've picked something less Bart Simpson... And yes, that's my Dolphin Gray tow cover on a Lake Silver car - don't know why the previous owner did that...



These two pics show the old mount - you can see the dark area where it was hitting the bottom of the cup - I guess that's the "clunk" we feel sometimes:





Here are some comparison shots between the mounts. The Apikol is obviously bigger. I was worried about fitting it in the cup, but it fits perfectly. I had to drop the cup all the way down to work the mount back in, but as shown below, that was the sweet spot for tightening the cup back down.



This was my prep for getting the Apikol on. I had read so much about how hard it is to jam a new one on - the Hot Dog Heaven cup has hot soapy water. I didn't need it - just peeled the old one off and banged the new one on.



Here's the fit of the Apikol:



This is the right side of the cup. As you can see, the cup is adjusted as far down as it can go - luckily that was exactly where it needed to be - no vibration.



This is the left side of the cup - notice that mine only had 3 bolts to adjust - two on the right, and one on the left.



IMPRESSIONS:

The only reason I did this mod was because I found out my OEM mount was starting to crumble. I didn't think I had any vibration issues. I do feel the clunk every now and then, but I attributed that to sloppy shifting.

After test driving around the block - wow - I can really tell a difference. It wasn't until feeling how smooth the car is now that I realize that it was a little rough before.

Very pleased with it. I hope it holds up!