replacing front and rear transmission mounts on 97 SSEi

[harofreak00]

The 97 needs the front and rear transmission mounts replaced to cure a major grinding noise during acceleration (I hope its the mounts!)

I have ordered the mounts from Rockauto, they were pretty reasonably priced.

ANCHOR 2881 Front Transmission Mount $ 43.79
ANCHOR 2778 Rear Transmission Mount $ 10.57

I have access to the FSM, but I am looking for hints/tips for the replacement. I have access to Ed's shop with lift, but its about an hour away. Would it be worth it to drive that far to have access to the lift? or can this be done just the same in the driveway at home?

[alec_b]

Anchor... I've heard bad things. You may want to cancel that order and get something a little better.

The front mount is pretty easy: Remove (3) 15mm mount-to-frame bolts, jack engine/trans up, remove (3) 13mm mount-to-trans bolts, remove (1) 18mm bellhousing bolt. Wiggle mount out and replace with new.

The rear one, I really don't have a tip for that one, other than be prepared to invent some expletives you've never even heard of. They are not easy at ALL. Someone else will surely chime in with advice.

And yes, for gods sake use the lift. If you do it on your back you will be sorry. It's worth the drive.

[harofreak00]

I'm not really concerned about the longevity of the mounts, I plan on selling the car as soon as I'm done with these mounts. Thanks for the heads up though.

[mntnbkr]

The front one is a piece of cake... you replace that one from under the hood as opposed to under the car, so no lift required. Support the tranny with a jack and a board to distribute the load when you remove the mount.

The rear one may be a bit more difficult, but very doable without a lift. You'll want a set of jack stands to set the car on while you use the jack to support the transmission as before. There are (6) bolts total to remove and the mount will come out. Only thing I'm not sure of is how easy it is to physically remove the mount if the trans is still in place (my whole engine and trans were out of the car, so there was lots of room to move the mount). You'll want an 1/2" or 13MM (either will work) open end, or box end ratcheting wrench for the bolts between the mount and the trans. Can't remember what size the other ones are. Also, the highest of the bolts between the mount and the trans is easiest to get at from the drivers side wheel well, the others from underneath the car.

Good luck.

[mntnbkr]

In response to alec_b: getting that rear trans mount bolted up was the part that I dreaded most about putting the engine / trans back into my '99 SSEi, but I was surprised at how smoothly it went. When I took those bolts out, I was inventing new cuss words...mainly because I didn't have a box end ratcheting wrench of the correct size. Before I even started the re-installation of the engine, I got the right tool for the job, and it went smooth as silk. It took about 15 minutes. Oh, and I didn't have the luxury of a lift for my project either...so It can be done.

[harofreak00]

If the front mount is easy like you say, I'm going to replace just the first and take it for a test drive to see if it fixes the issue.

If I do the rear and its still making noise, I might have to do the dogbone also.

[repinS]

I replaced my front mount with the Anchor one last week, I actually gained a rubbing noise (wouldn't quite call it grinding) at mid-throttle. Clunkiness is still there, but throttle response has improved - the powertrain doesnt seem to be torquing back anymore.

I'm thinking dogbone next...

[Whitecrystal1]

I replaced the front mount on my 95 with the Anchor from Rockauto a few months back, very easy to install. I haven't had any problems with mine.

[harofreak00]

Holy crap! The mounts arrived today. I ordered them at 10pm Tuesday, it shipped out 4pm on Wedneday and it was on my doorstep before 9am today (Thursday)!!!!

Let the work begin.

[LeSabreUltra]

I have an Anchor mount on my car and haven't had any trouble with it as far as durability goes...

That being said, it transmits vibrations a LOT more than the AC Delco...I kinda wish I'd gone with AC Delco for that reason. It's kinda weird that my 4.3 powered S10 is now the "smooth" idling vehicle. o.O
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[harofreak00]

Well I tinkered on the car a lot today. I got the mount replaced quite easily, I'm glad I didn't drive to Ed's to use the lift, it would have just made things harder LOL.

The front mount was definately shot, but it wasn't causing the grinding. I took it for a test drive immediately after the swap and it was exactly the same. I was pretty sure its not the rear trans mount, so I didn't even mess with it.

I took another look at the TAM mount and decided to take it off to have a better look. It came out pretty easily and I noticed that the metal "tube" was amost completely seperated from the rubber. Looking at how this mount is designed to work, I figured the way it was failing shouldn't be causing the grinding. The engine is pulling down on the mount. However, when the engine is accelerating, the engine rocks back and the TAM actually rubs against the metal engine bracket. I REALLY want to narrow this down, but I don't wanna be tossing money on this car like its nothing. Rockauto wants $41 for the TAM, reasonable. Right?

[harofreak00]

I just ordered the TAM from RockAuto for $41... also got the high pressure steering line for my 00 that I have needed for years.

[ddalder]

Love the `Barney` hands

[repinS]

That front trans mount was a lot worse than mine, which only separated here:

[harofreak00]

Did that bolt shear or what? That rubber piece is supposed to be floppy in there. Not sure why, but thats how the new one was.

[repinS]

Really? The one that came out was nice and floppy, the Anchor that went in was solid.

ruh roh... did I replace a perfectly good mount or did you put in an already-broken one? :o

[harofreak00]

Probably why you gained a rubbing noise, LOL.

[mntnbkr]

harofreak, be sure to check out my post on the TAM if you haven't already. Be careful or you might end up with a hell-of-a-lot more job than you bargained for.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10413

Nevermind... I just scrolled through that thread and you were quite active posting on that topic, so you know what I went through.

Anyway, if those bolts start to "slip-stick" when you're removing them be VERY careful as this is when mine broke. However, only one of them broke, but both sounded like they were going to. I'd say to throw some heat on it to loosen up the bolts, but you'd have to move quite a few wires, hoses, and AC lines to avoid damaging them.

I don't know, I think if I were you, and since you already have the part, I'd try replacing the rear trans mount before effing with the TAM. It really wasn't all that bad. If I had to do it again it would take 15-20 minutes and a beer.

Good luck!

[harofreak00]

Surprisingly my TAM came out really easy. I did the 2 15mm bolts from under the car first and then the ones on the top. I was able to slide it right out of there.

Since its already ordered, I may as well install it. I also ordered the dogbone mount. So basically, I will be able to replace all 4 mounts. If its still grinding after that I'm throwing the car in my garbage can.

[myfirstbonnie]

I have a receptical you can throw it in. LOL