has anybody replaced theirs??

i think i need to replace my engine mounts as when i initially start it feels that the engine shakes more than usual.

how do you tell that it needs to be replaced, can you tell by just looking at it.

thanks. its a 2003 cl s

 

Plenty of 2G CL mounts break. That's why we designed our XLR8 motor mounts. The engine will start to get sloppy and move a lot when the mounts go bad.

http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-411798.aspx

 

I had replaced all five of the mounts on my TL because there was excessive vibration and that thunk when I shifted from park to reverse. A visual inspection isn't enough. Mine looked fine but when I removed them they were all toast. The rear motor mount was a real pain in the ass. After I replaced them I wished I had done it sooner because it was a big improvement.

 

It depends on the mount. You can see the two main assemblies, but they, especially the rear, aren't usefully inspectable while in the car. The side mount (left side as you open the hood) is more so. Whether or not it's busted comes down to whether or not you find any damage in the bushing. If you do, it's a safe bet that it's a systemic casualty from the front mount having failed.

As for confirming your suspicions, watching the engine as someone else puts load on it or alternates between directional gears (you're looking for excessive movement) is the most elementary means. However, a hard thunk when you switch directional gears (park, reverse or drive) or during a drive gear change, a continuous low-frequency resonance into the interior when you're at a standstill or more push during cornering if you're familiar with your car's behavior during spirited driving are also telltale signs.

If you don't feel comfortable with self-diagnosis, find reputable a private shop nearby. It generally takes a competent or seasoned mechanic a few seconds to reach a verdict, and it's such a basic diagnostic for them that you may get away with not paying anything assuming they even charge a diagnostic fee.

Lastly, I recommend the XLR8 products should you need to replace a mount. I run their front and side mount, and the only con is that they transmitted some vibrations into the cabin at idle. But the bushings have since settled to the point that I have to hunt for them now. What I don't have to hunt for is how they improve the overall operation of the car. They're more effective at restraining engine movement, so acceleration and handling are more resolved.

 

Can you please explain more about the effects the motor mounts have on the 2ng gen CL? My CL-S has 106,000 miles and I had the front bottom hydraulic motor mount replaced with OEM after Acura said it was broken at about 100,000 miles.

I just had a valve adjustment, new spark plugs, and a timing belt replacement and while idling the engine doesn't shake the car nearly as much, but it still shakes it more than when new.

Can/do the motor mounts really affect handling and acceleration as well? Also, my car definitely "thunks" or shunts into reverse from park (pretty heavily on the driveway, parked facing uphill), like Scratcher09 said his TL used to do. It seems to have gotten a lot worse as of late. I've started using the parking brake when I park facing uphill to take the load off the trans when I shift into reverse. Does replacing the motor mounts really solve this issue? Are there trans mounts that might affect this?

 

Yes motor mounts have a big affect on handling and acceleration, if your mounts are bad you can break the CVs and even bend the exhaust. I you have a friend to help its easy to check them, I the idea is for the car not to move but its smart to apply the park brake and not stand in front of the car. Put the car in gear with one foot on the brake apply the gas look to see how much the engine moves, 1" to 2" is about the most you should see with the stock mounts in good condition. Also you can see if the mount is pulling apart or moving beyond its limits. You should do this in reverse as well as a forward gear. The XLR8 mounts are well wroth it even with the little bit of vibration that you get at idle.

 

When I said I replaced 5 mounts that included 2 transmission mounts and 3 motor mounts. The 55-60 vibration was barely noticeable after replacing mounts. And the thunk when shifting in reverse was totally gone. Sounds like you need to replace your mounts.