Most
drivers know the basics: oil changes, brake pad replacements, coolant
flushes, and other simple maintenance items. While these tasks are
all essential to keeping your car in good working order, there are
plenty of more complicated parts that can impact your car's longevity
and drivability. Engine mounts may be less familiar to you, but they
are nonetheless crucial components.
Learning
the Basics
Your
engine mounts have two primary responsibilities: to attach your motor
to the vehicle chassis physically and to absorb the forces that motor
produces. High-performance cars can produce incredible amounts of
torque, twisting the motor in the engine bay whenever you place your
foot on the gas. Without your mounts, your engine would turn itself
right out of your car.
For
street-driven vehicles, your motor mounts also provide isolation to
improve your car's noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics.
The construction of motor mounts will vary from vehicle to vehicle,
but most consist of a metal housing with a fluid-filled or rubber
inner mount. The soft portion of the mount absorbs your engine's
forces while also allowing for some freedom of movement.
Although
the mount's metal bracket is unlikely to fail, the flexible portion
may wear out over time. The intense heating and cooling cycles found
in your engine bay can cause the rubber to dry out and crack.
Fluid-filled mounts may also leak, ultimately losing their ability to
isolate your engine effectively. As these parts wear, they can begin
to impact your vehicle's driving characteristics.
Recognizing
the Signs of Failure
Motor
mounts rarely fail catastrophically or without warning. Instead, your
mounts will wear out as the miles accumulate, slowly losing their
ability to isolate your engine from your vehicle's chassis. Because
the symptoms can be subtle and gradually worsen over time, many
drivers do not initially notice that anything is wrong.
When
your motor mounts first begin to fail, you can expect to experience
increased vibration and harshness in the cabin. Without proper
isolation, vibrations will be transmitted directly into the chassis,
so it may be challenging to localize the problem. In some cases, you
may only notice additional harshness when under hard acceleration.
As
the problem progresses, your engine will begin to move more freely in
your engine bay. If your motor can move enough, you will be able to
hear it making direct contact with the chassis. These noises will
usually be most apparent when braking, accelerating, or making hard
turns. Try to be aware of unusual clunks or bangs whenever your
vehicle's weight shifts from side-to-side.
Understanding
the Long-Term Consequences
Driving
with a slightly worn mount generally does not pose any threat to your
car, but you shouldn't ignore the problem for too long. The
vibrations from the engine can potentially damage other components in
your vehicle or even loosen interior trim, leading to rattles or
squeaks. In rare cases, your motor may damage your chassis or other
engine components as it bangs against them.
Handling
issues are another potentially dangerous consequence of severely worn
mounts. When your engine moves from side-to-side, the balance of your
vehicle's weight will shift with it. This movement can result in
unpredictable changes to your vehicle's handling, potentially
creating a dangerous situation during sharp turns or emergency
maneuvers.
Fixing
the Problem
If
you suspect that your vehicle has worn engine mounts, then the first
step is to have a qualified mechanic examine your car to confirm the
problem. Correcting the issue is a simple matter of replacing the
mounts, but the complexity of this job can vary between vehicles. The
cost of labor will vary depending on your make and model.
Euroclassics
LTD can replace your worn motor mounts to restore your car's quiet
ride and predictable handling. Give
us a call when
you're ready for a fix.
