Drivetrain How-To for Lower engine mount bushing?
How-To for Lower engine mount bushing?
I am looking for some way to reduce the crazy bucking when lifting throttle and I saw that lower engine mount is the way to go.
Anyone got info on how-to change the bushings?
Thanks in advance.
Anyone got info on how-to change the bushings?
Thanks in advance.
Jack up front of MINI and support with stands.
Remove mount.
Press out wee end bushing. Press in new bushing.
Install inserts for big end bushing.
Re-install mount.
Lower MINI.
Enjoy!
Jeremy
Remove mount.
Press out wee end bushing. Press in new bushing.
Install inserts for big end bushing.
Re-install mount.
Lower MINI.
Enjoy!
Jeremy
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...5&postcount=49
Addendum...small bolts are 24 lb/ft I believe...large are 74 lb/ft.
Oh, and my underbody is near spotless now. =)
- Matt
For the Lower Engine Mount:
This is what I mean about a flat deck. The bushing inserts need to be the same height as the steel insert (in the middle). There was NO way in hell it would fit until I ground/sanded it down (on my 04/03 build at least). It was relatively tight even now - I could get it into position but the bolt holes were difficult to align - I ended up using a screwdriver through the bolt hole to line it up first . You can see that I did the small end as well - the insert provided by Powerflex for that location had to be cut and ground as well...it jutted out about a centimeter beyond the purple bushings:
This is what I mean about doing the two big bolts (top and middle) before the 4 smaller ones in the bracket attached to the oil pan. For reference, the top bolt will be longer than the middle bolt. The involved parts have also been cleaned up as well:
Completed install. I apologize for the dirt...I was pulling a Tommi Makinen around an under-construction portion of the neighborhood. You can see where I had to break out the WD-40 and brush:
That all aside, you need:
- Ramps or Jack Stands
- 13mm Socket
- 16mm Socket
- Torque Wrench
- Good Music
- Good Lighting (Like all things automotive)
- 20 Minutes (I needed extra time this time around to grind down the bushings and clean up the area; 20 minutes if you know what you're doing, probably 30-40 first time you **** around under there)
REALLY easy to do. One of the cheapest and best mods for this car. No need to drop a load on engine dampeners...this will get you the same effect, using essentially stock parts, at a lot less cost.
- Matt
This is what I mean about a flat deck. The bushing inserts need to be the same height as the steel insert (in the middle). There was NO way in hell it would fit until I ground/sanded it down (on my 04/03 build at least). It was relatively tight even now - I could get it into position but the bolt holes were difficult to align - I ended up using a screwdriver through the bolt hole to line it up first . You can see that I did the small end as well - the insert provided by Powerflex for that location had to be cut and ground as well...it jutted out about a centimeter beyond the purple bushings:
This is what I mean about doing the two big bolts (top and middle) before the 4 smaller ones in the bracket attached to the oil pan. For reference, the top bolt will be longer than the middle bolt. The involved parts have also been cleaned up as well:
Completed install. I apologize for the dirt...I was pulling a Tommi Makinen around an under-construction portion of the neighborhood. You can see where I had to break out the WD-40 and brush:
That all aside, you need:
- Ramps or Jack Stands
- 13mm Socket
- 16mm Socket
- Torque Wrench
- Good Music
- Good Lighting (Like all things automotive)
- 20 Minutes (I needed extra time this time around to grind down the bushings and clean up the area; 20 minutes if you know what you're doing, probably 30-40 first time you **** around under there)
REALLY easy to do. One of the cheapest and best mods for this car. No need to drop a load on engine dampeners...this will get you the same effect, using essentially stock parts, at a lot less cost.
- Matt
Oh, and my underbody is near spotless now. =)
- Matt
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
As well, don't bother doing the small end...I noticed no gain adding it after having the large end already in place. Save yourself the cash.
- Matt
Trending Topics
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Oh, and you'll have to unbolt the PS fan for adequate clearance and removal of the dog-bone chunk. The inserts pop right into the large end. Like I mentioned above, I had the additional spent time of sanding/grinding down the flat portion of the bushing insert to make a level deck so it would all fit back into the underside dog-bone holder (if that makes little sense, you'll see).
20 minutes or so, no sanding needed, luck permitting.
- Matt
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I apologize if this explanation is coming off terribly.
- Matt
I also used the powerflex bushings. For the big end I just compressed the inserts into the standard rubber bushing with my vise and used a bit of the grease provided to slip it back into the bracket(no sanding required). 
Jeremy
Jeremy
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Any oil based grease can deteriorate rubber over time - not sure if this is the case for polyurethane, but might be something to keep in mind.
Vibration at idle is more noticeable, but at speed they feel great/perfect.
Question for those with these installed, will the bushings soften/settle with time?
Some thoughts on these gizmos
I've been thinking about these things (and engine bushings in general). Idealy, you want to increase the stiffness on the upper and the lower. If not, the engine won't rotate about the torque center. It does that stock if the Mini engineers did thier jobs right. This is all theory though....
Matt
Matt
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
BTW, I installed the IE units this morning: it's everything advertised! Vibration is clearly greater at idle, but once moving not noticeable. Handling is vastly improved though, I feel about 20 more HP and fuel economy has gone through the roof...
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 2
From: Oregon, USA
I want data ! ! ! !
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
You want data? There will be no data because you don't trust me... I said it added 20HP, made the car feel "more connected" and improved gas mileage! Believe me. Really. Yes, it vibrates more and my engine feels like it's about to fall out of the car...but that's a small price to pay for the improvement in all aspects of Mini performance I am experiencing.
What more can I say?
What more can I say?