My '03 makes a clunking noise when hitting a bump or shifting at low speeds (a/t). My mechanic said the front struts were shot and the motor mounts need to be replaced as well. I recently had the front struts replaced, and the noise is not as loud as before, but it is still there. He estimated the mounts replacement (all 4) at $1,600 parts and labor. This seems a little too steep to me. I live in the Miami - South Florida area. What do you think? Can this be a DIY weekend project, or would I be in over my head? I don't consider myself a master mechanic, but I've been known to turn wrenches on easy to moderate projects (brake jobs, radiator replacement, alternator, fender removals, not on this car, though). Any feedback will be appreciated.

 

Nice color car , welcome aboard. Check the 5th gen crew on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/183877908331009/

Oh wait you live in Miami!!!

The mounts are simple to do, the cross member mounts take more time obviously, but can be done.

 

Why $1,600? I have never done all 4 mounts but just by looking it doesn't even look like half a days work for a mechanic with a press and all.

 

$1,600 is robbery.

Do it yourself.

The org will help you.

 

Thanks. I bought that car back in February with 136k. This is actually my second Gen 5.5 Max. I also had an '02 SE.

Yeah, I do. Why?

 

Check his location, below his name. Give you a hint, he's very close to you! There are several member in the area that could probably be of service.

Pay me $1000 and I'll drive to Miami and install them for you, parts included. Yeah, I'd be making tons of money....... $1,600 is THAT absurd.

You can get the whole set of four off eBay for about $100. The most difficult to do, IMHO, is the passenger torque mount. You'll need metric socket set, ratchet, and about 12-18" of extensions. Need at least one jack to help support and stabs luxe the engine when you drop the cross member. The car should be on jack stands of course.

 

Thanks for the advice.

Thanks.

 

No seriously, how did the mechanic justify the price? Did he say it would be 14 hours labor? I am super curious how he looked you in the eye and claimed this.

 

All 4 motor mounts cost $100 on ebay free shipping. I did my friends mounts i took mayb 30 min on driver side then 30 min on passenger side and 45 min doing front and rear together.

Think about this we do the install on jack stands and such, a shop has air tools a lift and more experience. They'll do all 4 mounts in 1 hour. Retarded price.

U should look into the differences in the front motor mount. Stock oem mount on automatic is electric its mostly recommended you ditch the electric mounts.

 

Something like that. He said it was around 12 hours labor and would use OEM parts. He also mentioned one of the mounts being quite pricey. I guess he meant the infamous electric mount. I checked the OEM parts on courtesyparts.com, and the most expensive one is $226. The other three are $136 (2) and $90. So, the rest (about $1000) is labor. Unfortunately, I don't own a press, as you mentioned before. So, I'm going to have to shop around for a mechanic that won't rob me that much.

Thanks for the advice. I just don't know that I have the tools to do this on my own. Again, thanks.

 

Bro $100 for mounts then hit up Harbor Fraight for some sockets 4 different sizes and 2 open end wrenches and a 12" extension about $15 total.and i bet that clunk you have is from the endlinks replace those first with moog parts and when you replace them use HD washers on either side of the studs.

 

U keep mentioning about not owning a press. U dont need a press at least not for this job. The post above is correct, about $20 at harborfreight and ur good to go. Unless something breaks of coarse lolz becareful with the two cross member bolts.

 

No Press needed at all they are bolt off bolt on!

 

Passenger side and transmission would probably take two hours because of the air box, the crossmember mounts maybe 2-4 if you have to do it with jacks and stands.

 

Thank you all for all the advice. It has been very useful, and I'm not as afraid of doing this on my own as I was before. I think I'm going to start with the RF mount first because it seems to be the easiest to get to, and that is where the clunking noise is actually coming from. Who knows? It might be the only one I need to replace for now. I will come back and let you know how it went. Again, thank you all.

 

Well, after some more research and recruiting my brother in law to give me a hand, I finally had the mounts replaced. What a difference. I had forgotten how quiet this car is! I can barely hear the engine now.

So, here are the total damages: $586 in parts (yes, I know, I could've gotten them cheaper on eBay, but I'd rather use OEM, from courtesyparts.com, which were a lot cheaper than my local stealership, and yes, I got the electric ones too), about 5 hours, and a couple of bruised fingers later, the car feels brand new again!

Next project: tires. The ones I got are Firestone FR710s (it had those tires when I bought the car in February), and they are NOISY! They really suck. I'm thinking Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. I had those on my 02 Max, and they were awesome. A lot better than the POS Potenzas the car had when new. What do you guys think?

 

Glad to hear you got it all done. I have heard people say the electric mounts can CAUSE damage but it is what it is.