It's actually been doing this for a while, about a year and a half really...I had a mechanic listen to it and he said it wasn't anything serious. I put it on the back burner as it wasn't a mechanical issue and it usually disappeared once the car warmed up.

Seems to have gotten worse lately though. I think I'm going to do something about it.

Here's the symptoms:

When I initially start my car cold it's the loudest. It's sort of a humming/vibrating noise. It's often associated with a slight high frequency vibration in the steering wheel, but can only be felt when the car is sitting in the driveway (probably because the road vibrations drown it out). It's definitely coming from the front end of the car.

It has a certain pitch that never changes. It only occurs at 2000 rpms and it doesn't matter if I'm going 30 mph, sitting still, in park, second gear, reverse, whatever. It only occurs at that rpm and the pitch and volume never changes. As soon as I'm over or below 2000 rpm it's gone.

Once I'm moving though it's pretty much drowned out by the noise of the exhaust and the road. But I'd like to get it fixed.

Any ideas?
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

sounds sort of like an engine mount. My solid tranny mount does that only at certain RPMs

x2 on motor mount, most likely the front "strut" mount.

When I replaced my mounts with my new block, all those hums/vibrations went bye-bye.

_________________
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Bone Stock

1998 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Retired

X3
mine kinda does that too with the autozone mount but it doesn't bother me

_________________
2000 ssei gone but not forgotten

Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt

Thanks for the replies. That was kinda what I was thinking but I wanted to check before throwing parts at it.

My mounts are all original so it's probably telling me in it's own way that it's time to fix one.

Now I know about excessive engine movement, but is there any way to tell a mount is bad by looking at it? Cracked rubber or something?

EDIT: And which one is the front strut mount? I want to check it first.
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

I actually swapped out mounts on two 98 H-bodies over Xmas break, and both looked like this, with the rubber separated from the metal:

_________________
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Bone Stock

1998 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Retired

Okay, I went outside and took a look at the engine mounts. Going by this diagram there are four and I found all of them:



And, just visually with my limited experience, they looked fine?

I still think it's one of them though. I'm just not sure how to isolate it, and I can't afford to replace all of them at once. TBH, I'm not even sure I have the skills to replace one!
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

Idle the engine, rev it at the throttle by hand. Look for motion of the engine, and eye mount #8 to see if the rubber comes away from the metal.

_________________
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Bone Stock

1998 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Retired

Thanks, just got done trying that. I had made a video before you posted with the camera in the engine bay, me inside the car, with the parking and normal brakes on, giving it gas. The engine moved a good bit, I'm still waiting on the video to upload so I can share it, but I will.

When I did it with the car in park with me at the throttle body, it didn't move much and I couldn't see any rubber separating from the metal. Maybe I need to get somebody else up here so I can have them apply throttle under load.

Anyway as soon as that video finally finishes uploading I'll post it here. Maybe you can tell something from that.
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

Here it is:



Taken from the left side of the engine.

I'll try to get some help later on today so I can look at it under load.
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

I get some vibration from mine... I think I have a bad rear mount( #9 I think it may be )

Don, that looks like the worst of the four to replace too...

Well guys, I got an assistant, and just like you said Agrazela, it was the front trans mount (#8).

When the throttle was stabbed I saw the rubber come off the metal on the engine (top) side of the mount. It shouldn't move at all but just stretch right? It didn't look torn like in the pic above, more like the rubber was just resting on the metal and then came off when the throttle was applied. I couldn't see the others but I definitely could see that mount.

But in any case, there should be no separation of rubber and metal in the mounts, right?

Thanks for your help.
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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That's right. I fooled myself into thinking my separated mount was OK for a year, too

That mount can be replaced fairly easily with a jack underneath to support the motor, and some very skinny arms from the top. LMK if you need socket sizes and torque specs.

_________________
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Bone Stock

1998 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Retired

Yeah that means the front trans mount is done.. I have been there as well..

Thanks again, I'll be starting with that as soon as possible. I messed one of my fingers up pretty good at work last week but I might still be able to manage it, I don't know.

For a brand, is Anchor okay? I can get one for $42 off of Rock Auto which is a lot better than the AC Delco price. I've also got to take into account that I'll need a floor jack, which is another $30-$40 for the Advance Auto basic variety.
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

Anchor will be ok for the replacement.. Is it the one with a shock?

And for the Jack.... You want one like the Aluminum one i have

I got an Anchor 2881 from Rock Auto for my 1998 LeSabre. It's holding up well, but two caveats:

1) The bolts/nuts holding the strut thingy on were literally finger-loose. Check them and tighten as needed.
2) The flange that is attached by the trans-to-engine bolt didn't line up right:



Rather than bend the flange or risk breaking something (and since I was in the middle of the job and didn't have time to return it), I simply filled that gap with three or four 1/2" washers from the hardware store.

The same Anchor 2881 mount I bought for my MIL's Olds 88 from the local auto parts store had neither issue.

In asking others who've ordered this same mount, it seems to be luck of the draw.

_________________
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Bone Stock

1998 Buick Lesabre Limited, Gran Touring
Retired

Yep, it has the little shock dongle on it.

I'm hoping this is the only one I have to replace. The only other one that looks like it may be prone to failure is the rear trans mount, and by the looks of it I don't want to have anything to do with it!

Man, I wish I could have a floor jack like that...but...I'm too cheap.

Looks like I'm going to have to settle for one of these type cheapies for now:



EDIT: I guess I'll go ahead and order it. I'll watch for that spacing issue Agrazela. Hopefully mine won't have it!
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
_
__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

Okay, my mount is here.

Andrew if you could send me those torque specs/bolt sizes it would be great.

I don't know if I'm going to do it today...probably not because it's a little wet outside...

Can I use a scissors type jack with a block of wood on it to support the engine? To be honest I'd rather not strain the finances just yet to buy a floor jack.
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_________________
-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
_
__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

The bigger the block of wood, the better. 6" of 2x6 works well. If you use a 2x4, run it front to rear on the oil pan, not side to side.

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