Car engine mounting is probably something the average person has never even thought about. But if you drive a car, your daily ride depends on having the right engine mounts in place and in good condition.
Each engine mount is specific to the car it is being fitted to. When it comes to car engine mounting options, there are two main types.
Solid Mounts
A solid mount is attached to the frame with bolts, or can be permanently welded or bolted in place. They are essentially rubber bonded to metal, and come in various shapes to fit the car they are being used in. Solid mounts are better suited to small cars that don’t have heavy-duty operation.
Hydraulic Mounts
Hydraulic mounts are used in all kinds of motors, and most modern cars have at least one. They are very rare in cars and vehicles made before 2000, and are only found in what were high end, luxury cars at the time. Some very new cars have hydraulic mounts with electronic sensors, and will compress or decompress the mount in unison with instructions from the on-board computer.
Hydraulic mounts contain gel or liquid to help absorb vibration, and are often used in 4-cylinder motors that produce a lot of noise.
Most car engine mounts don’t need any kind of maintenance or regular servicing, but only need to replacement or repairs when it wears out. The most common problem with engine mounting is when the rubber breaks or splits due to age and wear, or when liquid leaks out of a liquid filled mount.
Unless you look closely, you will only know when a mount has a problem when you notice an increase in engine noise or more vibrations are felt inside the car. If your engine mounts have not been installed properly, or in the right place, or you have a problem with your engine mounts, you will often notice a thump or thud and a jolt when shifting gears.
Replacement costs for new engine mounts depend of the type of vehicle you have and the new engine mounts needed. If you’re not sure if you have the right mounting, or not sure of the condition of your current mounts, check with your mechanic or speak with one of our dealers here
