I really liked the idea of a stiffer lower motor mount, but the only inserts I found were from Mini Mania for the rediculous price of $130 (http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/G2...%20S%202007%2B). I guess they deserve the credit because if these inserts had been a reasonable price, I would have bought them right away.

I searched the web for other reserences and found some good suggestions on a Nissan website (I didn't save the link for reference). Here's what I did:

1. Remove the lower mount. There are only 2 bolts and it's pretty easy. No additional support is needed for the engine with this mount removed.

2. From the attached pic, you can see that I masked one side of the mount with wax paper and masking tape. Once I saw how thick the urethane is, I removed the masking. It is just not needed for this application. This urethane has the consistency of cake frosting left in the freezer. I just cut open the urethane container with a utility knife and used a plastic knife to put the urethane in the voids in the big end of the mount. That's all there is to it.

3. At some time when filling the voids with urethane, scoop out a ~3/4" test blob and put it on a paper plate or something similar. This gives you something to judge when the urethane skins over and starts to firm up without having to touch the mount itself. I reinstalled the mount after about an hour of hardening.

4. It still hasn't fully cured (only ~14 hrs so far), so I haven't taken it for a test drive yet. Per recommendations on the internet and the 3M website, I'll try to wait 24 hrs.

I'll add to this thread after I've had a chance to drive it.

-JL

 

jlevy,
you're not the only guy to do this and maybe you know that. A Google search turns up several examples. If it works, you'll surprise all the skeptics. If it does not work, there will be a group from the, "I told you so" Club

 

New to Minis...so how does this mod affect the car?

 

It's probably not even fully cured yet. I'd say at least the outer 6-7 mm is cured, while the part in the middle is likely not. This is judging by my test blob and what's left in the can. Notes so far:

1. It does seem to make the car seem more buttoned down. There seems to be less drive train lash although this was minor before I added the urethane to the mount.

2. NVH increase seems mostly limited to feeling a bit more of the engine low speed vibration through the steering wheel.

3. There's enough urethane in one tube to probably do 4 mounts at the same time, maybe more. For 15 dollars a tube and minimal wrench time, it doesn't seem like a bad mod.

-JL

edit: I got the 3M urethane at Autozone. I also added a pic og the mount before adding the urethane.

 

was there only one choice in durometer? it would be interesting to do this with a softer urethane to help split the difference between NVH and control

 

There may be, but this is really all I found at the local auto parts stores. It's really intended for windshield repairs. I thought about using RTV as well. That may be the lower durometer solution.

-JL

 

Hmmm, apparently you missed THESE

 

apparently you missed the first post that links that same part. $75 is still pricey. Ireland sells them for $30

 

Apparently you don't have a clue what you're talking about. The first post was talking about a $130 part from MINI Mania, I posted a link to a $75 part from MINI Madness. Sheesh!

 

yep...I'm the clueless one

I'll break it down for you....your link for $75



his link for $130:



order of humble pie, table two please!

 

I'm not disputing the fact that it's the same bushing, I was simply informing everyone and the OP that it can be purchased for $75 instead of $130. Good lord this is getting ridiculous!!!

 

and I said IE makes one for less than $30, so, again, explain to me how I lack a clue?

 

I've done this 3M poly fill on my Honda bushings it worked out ok, way cheaper then bushings. The vibration on my car at idel was not recomended for normal day to day, but then again i did all of them.

 

Doh! 30-75 bucks for the inserts is certainly better than 130 and reversible as well. I still don't regret the mod though. NVH increase is minimal and I can get on and off the throttle rapidly in any gear without inducing any significant drivetrain jerking.

-JL