Engine mounting

[burchard]

my camry 95 LE automatic 2.2 l has a stearing wheel vibration at idle (750 rpm) when I engage in D or R y decerseas considerably in N or P. It was suggested to me that there might be a engine mount problem. The right engine mount (looks like a dog bone) was cracked... I replaced. The transmission mount (left) was ok. Now, when it comes to the front mount ( or engine mounting isolator) or rear, it is impossible to check if it is cracked or not. they look like a shock absorbers covered by a rubber sleeve. I declared my self incompetent and I took it to MIDAS to get an opinion. The technician engaged the car in D and accelerated while braking, the whole engine was moved back carrying with it the mounting insulator shaft (or bolt), then he engaged in P and the engine came back to its original position. The other technician that was observing this , quicly diagnosed a motor mount problem. Total test time less tha a minute, the suggested a replacement of the mount part=CDN$428 + 1 hour labor.

I have two questions:
1. Isn't the function of a mounting to do exactly what it did when the technician accelerated while braking?. Absorb the shock of the inicial acceleration??

2. How can one check or anybody else if these engine mounting insulators are working properly, since it is impossible to look inside them.

Any insight please, Thanks

[Tercel GTS]

did you get to look at the part closely? All FWD cars I have seen have at least 3 rubber mounts, some have the shock made onto a mount *with* the rubber one. The engine can not be allowed to move very far or it wears out wires, hoses and the rest of the mounts, therefore a standard design shock isn't suffecient to hold the engine in place.

[burchard]

I didn't see any rubber part. The engine moves about 3-4 cms or 1-1.5 in.
thanks