new motor mounts

[mmhendrie]

Hi Guys - looking for some quick advice on replacing motor mounts - 2 things really.

First, background - 2004 Ltd Ed., non-turbo, 69k miles - commuter car only, does 18 miles a day, 5 days a week.

-I need new motor mounts. I looked into replacing the upper and lower, and can see they both need replacing. I've read on this forum and watched some youtube videos, and have high confidence on replacing these two. I haven't read as much on the center mount, and what I have has scared me off doing it - as accessing it is difficult, I can't even tell if it needs replacing.

Questions:
1. Assuming all 3 need replacing and I only replace the upper and lower, is that 'good enough' in practical terms for a sub-6k mile a year car, or am I simply setting myself up for disaster?

2. Is the center mount replacement that much more difficult then the upper and lower?

3. I'm looking on Rock Auto for replacement mounts. Pricing for the parts vary from $9 to $33 for the same parts. I don't want to take the time to do the work to have it fall apart in 6 months time, but similarly, I don't want to spend extra money for no extra quality. Is there a recommended or good value part/manufacturer I should look for?

thanks in advance!
-Matt

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by mmhendrie

Hi Guys - looking for some quick advice on replacing motor mounts - 2 things really.

First, background - 2004 Ltd Ed., non-turbo, 69k miles - commuter car only, does 18 miles a day, 5 days a week.

-I need new motor mounts. I looked into replacing the upper and lower, and can see they both need replacing. I've read on this forum and watched some youtube videos, and have high confidence on replacing these two. I haven't read as much on the center mount, and what I have has scared me off doing it - as accessing it is difficult, I can't even tell if it needs replacing.

Questions:
1. Assuming all 3 need replacing and I only replace the upper and lower, is that 'good enough' in practical terms for a sub-6k mile a year car, or am I simply setting myself up for disaster?

Usually with the low miles you have on the PT Cruiser only the upper and lower are replaced.

2. Is the center mount replacement that much more difficult then the upper and lower?

Yes, usually its only replaced when the timing belt or water pump needs to be replaced.

3. I'm looking on Rock Auto for replacement mounts. Pricing for the parts vary from $9 to $33 for the same parts. I don't want to take the time to do the work to have it fall apart in 6 months time, but similarly, I don't want to spend extra money for no extra quality. Is there a recommended or good value part/manufacturer I should look for?

There are many opinions of which motor mount brand to get. I got my motor mounts from the dealer but if I had to do it over again I would order it from Rock Auto. Just make sure you do the alignment per the factory manual after you install the upper and lower motor mounts so they work properly. If you don't do the alignment the mounts will not last very long.

thanks in advance!
-Matt

.....

[mmhendrie]

thanks for the advice - I hadn't seen anything on the alignment - is there a good resource for instructions on that?

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by mmhendrie

thanks for the advice - I hadn't seen anything on the alignment - is there a good resource for instructions on that?

Free 01-04 PT cruiser shop manual

[rsrocket1]

Motor mounts changed this evening

A caveat on setting the spacing

Setting the spacing with pictures on how to measure the correct distance(first part of the first post)

As NitroPT told me, it probably takes more time to set the adjustment than it is to replace the parts and the whole thing can probably be done in a half an hour. Just allow for a couple of hours for the first time. You'll probably find that removing clips and the mud shield is the biggest hassle of the job.