Which Mounts?

[Steely Dan]

I have a 1993 1.6 bought new in June '93. It's been a great car. (I also own a 2005 Matrix and just bought a 2010 Corolla S, so I believe in the quality of the car.)

It has 220,000+ on it and still is dependable but needs some attention. My daughter is driving it to school everyday so I want to make sure it is dependable.

I am pretty sure it could use some new motor mounts, specifically on the passenger side. (In the morning when cold, it vibrates the wheelwell cover against the bumper. If I give it gas, it stops.)

A good friend of mine at work has a brother-n-law who is a an experienced mechanic with a shop. I asked him to find out what the B-n-Law would charge to replace all 4 of my mounts. He said $100.00 Labor. Seems like a very good deal for me. I remember my Toyota dealer telling me an extremely high price a couple of years ago.

Now for the mounts. After looking in the forum, I seen some references to OReilly's. I researched today and found manufacturers such as "Anchor" and "Beck/Arnley". Are they good brands with "true-fit parts? I prefer not to buy online. Other than OReilly's, what about Advance Auto Parts and Pep Boys? Do they have OEM matching parts?

Thanks in advance for the help. Great forum.

[iToaster]

Personally, I'd always recommend buying motor mounts from a dealership. They may be more expensive than those from your regular auto parts store, but they're worth the price. I replaced my passenger side motor mount (and stopped almost all of my vibration), but I used a mount from Autozone and the vibration started to come back within a few months so. So I ended up shelling out the $160 for the Toyota part, and so far the vibration remains subdued. With the common vibration problem fixed, that car can easily live for years to come as a pleasant to drive vehicle. I've got 245,xxx on mine and have seen ones in the junkyard with over 300,000 that've been wrapped around a telephone pole.

[Steely Dan]

How difficult was it to replace the passenger mount? I understand it may be the easier of the four?

Can it be done with basic tools and limited mechanical knowledge?

If it is more than I can handle, I'll let the mechanic do it. All of my vibration seems to come from the right side. After 16 years, I am sure that all mounts need replaced but based on budget constraints, I may get the right side first then replace the other three later.

Thanks for the help.

[iToaster]

The passenger side is pretty easy. You need to remove the windshield washer tank and cruise control (if equipped) then the bracket holding the AC lines and slide them to the side and much as possible. You'll need a big socket (I forgot the size) to remove the nut on the end of the mount and a 14mm for the bolts holding the mount to the car. Get a jack and place a piece of wood on it to prevent damage to the oil pan and then jack the engine up as far as possible. After a little wrestling the mount should slip off. just put everything back how it was, start the car, and bask in the glory that is no vibration.

[Steely Dan]

Thanks for the help. Can't wait until its running smooth again. This litt;e car has gone through 16 years of family use. I hope it can give me a few years more.

[TI-CAVA]

a lot of years, this cars are so damn good

i replaced mounts almost a month ago or so... OEM rocks, expensive but is worth

[Steely Dan]

Well I stopped by the Toyota place today to get the oil in my 2010 changed (warranty).

I priced the passenger mount..........200.07 plus tax. That's alot for me to stomach for a piece of metal with a rubber gromet.

I will check OReilly's price and go from there. I agree, I would rather purchase genuine Toyota parts but good grief that seems like alot for a part.

If I put in an OReilly's part and it lasts 3-4 years, I'm ok with that. However, if the OReilly's part is within $30 of the Toyota part, I'll get the original OEM.

[Bitter]

the parts store stuff will be good enough. the front mount and passenger side mount often wear and create most of the vibration problems.

[TI-CAVA]

my OEM cost $40 each. installed myself