Motor mount DIY?

[X5SilverBeast]

I've got a bad driver side motor mount and would like to DIY this repair. Anyone have done this job? Any good how to's floating around? I haven't done motor mounts on bmw's. Can anyone assist? Thanks.

edit: 05 x5 4.4l n62

[cslee]

How do you know the motor mount is bad?

[SlickGT1]

To check the motor mount, put the car in drive, pull up the e-brake, hold brake pedal with one foot, and use other foot for throttle. Have the hood open, and have someone stand to the side and look at engine while you give it a couple of solid revs in drive. If the engine tilts hard core, your mount is done. Do same in reverse.

I would make a DIY, but it was done at my indy. I also only paid $140 for both mounts, belts, and inspect trans mount, only labor. I bought the mounts myself. For $140, I wouldn't even mess with doing it myself.

That being said, it was not an easy job I would have wanted to do in my garage on the floor. The indy, literally had to drop the subframe a couple of inches to get the mount out. He didn't want to pull the axle out for fear of leaking or disturbing anything extra. He is really good, and managed to get both done no problem, didn't even take the wheels off. But again, he had to support the sub frame with multiple stands just in case.

If I was doing it myself, I would remove the pass side mount first, that might give your engine more tilt room to pull the driver side out. Still I fear without dropping the sub frame, one would have to pull the axle. It wouldn't add too much more to the work, if you have a shop impact gun. Remember that axle nut, it might be a bitch.

I also have a 4.8is, so that might make it a bit more complex. I am telling you though, there is so little space to get the drivers out that it's not even funny. Getting to those bolts was only possible from the bottom. Once that was done, the sub frame had to get lowered to give space to pull the mount out of its cup and wiggled out. Be careful, it has oil in it, and when it fails the seal in the mount will leak. So when you flip the mount, a surprising amount of oil will come out.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

To check the motor mount, put the car in drive, pull up the e-brake, hold brake pedal with one foot, and use other foot for throttle. Have the hood open, and have someone stand to the side and look at engine while you give it a couple of solid revs in drive. If the engine tilts hard core, your mount is done. Do same in reverse.

I would make a DIY, but it was done at my indy. I also only paid $140 for both mounts, belts, and inspect trans mount, only labor. I bought the mounts myself. For $140, I wouldn't even mess with doing it myself.

That being said, it was not an easy job I would have wanted to do in my garage on the floor. The indy, literally had to drop the subframe a couple of inches to get the mount out. He didn't want to pull the axle out for fear of leaking or disturbing anything extra. He is really good, and managed to get both done no problem, didn't even take the wheels off. But again, he had to support the sub frame with multiple stands just in case.

If I was doing it myself, I would remove the pass side mount first, that might give your engine more tilt room to pull the driver side out. Still I fear without dropping the sub frame, one would have to pull the axle. It wouldn't add too much more to the work, if you have a shop impact gun. Remember that axle nut, it might be a bitch.

I also have a 4.8is, so that might make it a bit more complex. I am telling you though, there is so little space to get the drivers out that it's not even funny. Getting to those bolts was only possible from the bottom. Once that was done, the sub frame had to get lowered to give space to pull the mount out of its cup and wiggled out. Be careful, it has oil in it, and when it fails the seal in the mount will leak. So when you flip the mount, a surprising amount of oil will come out.

Thanks a bunch for the response. I was afraid the support was going to have to come done a bit. So you can't just unbolt the mounts and raise the engine slightly? The mount is bad and is already leaking. Just got off the phone with 1 indy and they quoted me $400 just for labor. I already have the new mounts. I just don't have the time right now to get it done, but I may end up doing myself if that's what I'm gonna get charge. thanks.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by X5SilverBeast

Thanks a bunch for the response. I was afraid the support was going to have to come done a bit. So you can't just unbolt the mounts and raise the engine slightly? The mount is bad and is already leaking. Just got off the phone with 1 indy and they quoted me $400 just for labor. I already have the new mounts. I just don't have the time right now to get it done, but I may end up doing myself if that's what I'm gonna get charge. thanks.

Yes the engine can get lifted a bit to get the mount out of the pocket that it sits in. the problem is that getting the mount out of that space, it really tight between engine, and frame.

Damn that is a lot for only labor. My highest quote in Brooklyn, was $300. I only got that quote just to make sure my usual indi wasn't jerking me. Next highest was $250. It really took them two hours to do it all. By the book though, it was showing something like 2 hours per side. The dude knew what he was doing, I don't think it was his first time doing this.

[X5SilverBeast]

found another shop that will do it for $300. After explaining what the x5 is doing, and telling him that I've seen fluid all around the motor mount area, he also told me it could be the axle shaft.

Basically the x5 has a vibration only during acceleration at highway speeds 55-60pmh+. The vibration is only felt in the accel pedal and steering wheel but has gotten worse as of late. When you let off the gas pedal the vibration goes away. No vibration under 50mph duing acceleration. the indy told me to lift the front end up and see if there is any play in the axle shaft, which I will do when I get home. After countless reading and searching, and seeing the fluid at the mount, I suspected a bad motor mount. just rolled over 140k. Purchased both mounts just to have done at same time, but know I'm wondering if the axle shaft is bad. But wouldn't you feel vibration after letting off, since the axle shaft is still in rotation? The fluid leak seemed to more at the motor mount, then trickled down. I've cleaned the CV boot and tie rod boot and found no cracks or leaks at the time. Either way, I will be taking the truck over tonight to have them look at it tomorrow.

Any help would be great. thanks.

[SlickGT1]

Read what I wrote above on how to check if your mount is bad. It will take you two seconds to confirm your theory.

FYI, I had the same vibration. I didn't know what it was either. Idle vibration too. If I turn my AC on, vibration was less at idle.

I had delay off the line when flooring it. When flooring it hard, I would hear a thump.

I had oil all over the place. But I really blew mine up. When testing the mounts, my engine would lift a good 4 - 5 inches out of the engine bay. It should not move at all.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Read what I wrote above on how to check if your mount is bad. It will take you two seconds to confirm your theory.

FYI, I had the same vibration. I didn't know what it was either. Idle vibration too. If I turn my AC on, vibration was less at idle.

I had delay off the line when flooring it. When flooring it hard, I would hear a thump.

I had oil all over the place. But I really blew mine up. When testing the mounts, my engine would lift a good 4 - 5 inches out of the engine bay. It should not move at all.

I'll try that test as soon as I get out of work. Thanks a bunch for your help. Everything that I've read as pointed me toward the mounts. I'll check back and let you know the results. Again thank you so much for your help. This X5 is an entirely different beast than my 540.

[1stE53]

What did you end up doing with your mounts?