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Which one of these go bad easily? I am asking because very few mention about the ( driver side engine mount ) transmission mount getting replaced or even upgrades.
People always talk about the Upper engine mount ( passenger ) and the lower engine mount.
The upper and the lower motor mounts are pretty prone to failure. I changed both of those multiple times before I went to Vibra-Technics mounts. The trans mount, not so much, though I did put powerflex inserts in mine.
I would say upper and lower engine mounts fail the most early.
Just recently I ordered a Torque Solutions Polyurethane Lower Engine Mount. Can’t wait to install and I also went ahead and ordered a poly insert for the upper engine mount.
I would go poly everything. Just recently I went poly bushings throughout my subframe and it changed the way my car felt. In a positive manner of course. I would recommend those 100%
Thanks man for now I will order the upper engine mount, I already did the lower one.
I just got this R53 - I am replacing for now all maintenance items bringing it to Stock, then i will decide if I go for polybushings. The previous owner did not really baby this car.
Last edited by Mforce; Jun 17, 2025 at 02:03 PM.
Reason: typo
On these 3 engine mounts which one gets the most load? the one that gets abused by engine movement?.
I would guess the lower mount sees the most torque, so yes.
I had Powerflex bushings in that one for years, and one day when I was stuck in stop-and-go traffic on a hill in 100+ degree temps, it felt like that mount was broken. The nearest I can figure is that the polyurethane softened up in the heat because it seemed okay when I swapped it for a high-durometer rubber one.
You’ll feel when the upper mount fails, too, but I don’t remember it being as obvious.
Waymotorworks sells a stock lower mount already filled with poly bushings, not a bad route to go if you don’t go with a torque solutions, there is one for sale on fb for under a $100. The top one I would just do the vibra one and be done with it. I’m running the torque solutions lower and vibra knock off upper and I’m happy with it.
You’ll feel when the upper mount fails, too, but I don’t remember it being as obvious.
What will be the feel if the upper mount is broken? like i said I just replaced the lower mount, it minimized the thumping feel ( something loose ) but it's still there when I accelerate from full stop.
I’m not sure I know how to adequately describe it. It just feels like a broken mount. Once you’ve driven enough manuals—and enough manuals with bad motor mounts—you can just kind of tell that there’s excessive movement as you let out the clutch.
You can also kind of tell visually with the top hydraulic one on the facelift cars. It will start to soften up and sag a bit before it fails completely and leaks. Unfortunately I don’t have measurements for how high it’s supposed to sit.
the passenger side upper mount is the most common by far to fail. I replace them in my shop with new genuine mounts, then I add the powerflex insert to them to help support it and help it last longer. https://waymotorworks.com/oem-upper-engine-mount-04-06/
But in over 20yrs of working on these cars I've replaced less than 10 trans mounts. So they are not as common to fail, we do put inserts in them to reduce engine rock as a mod. We even have our own custom red powerflex ones to be soft, but still an upgrade over stock https://waymotorworks.com/gear-box-m...-polyurethane/
I’m not sure I know how to adequately describe it. It just feels like a broken mount. Once you’ve driven enough manuals—and enough manuals with bad motor mounts—you can just kind of tell that there’s excessive movement as you let out the clutch.
You can also kind of tell visually with the top hydraulic one on the facelift cars. It will start to soften up and sag a bit before it fails completely and leaks. Unfortunately I don’t have measurements for how high it’s supposed to sit.
Most of my manuals are fron Nissans and Subarus ( SR2ODE & EJ engines ) none of these does this thing and they are all stock factory. with this r53 this slight thumping feel, like a little jerk almost nothing but it's there I can feel it in steering wheel I am thinking am I engaging the clutch wrong?, you know when you release the clutch not the proper way the car jerks but it's not like that... feels something loose. Like I said when I installed the lower mount it minimized the thing., so maybe it's really the upper mount it's busted
the passenger side upper mount is the most common by far to fail. I replace them in my shop with new genuine mounts, then I add the powerflex insert to them to help support it and help it last longer. https://waymotorworks.com/oem-upper-engine-mount-04-06/
But in over 20yrs of working on these cars I've replaced less than 10 trans mounts. So they are not as common to fail, we do put inserts in them to reduce engine rock as a mod. We even have our own custom red powerflex ones to be soft, but still an upgrade over stock https://waymotorworks.com/gear-box-m...-polyurethane/
Thanks man....
I kept seeing these powerflex inserts, but a lot people complained about it not because of quality issues, it's NVH. Do you have another bushing with poly quality but no added NVH? or say that rides like a stock?
Any reviews on this? Powerflex RED? I don't want added NVH. Will this help? I mean you got a little bit support there but not really stiff.? looks like this RED maintains the stock ride.???
