After Market Engine Mounts

[BenEngland]

Fired up my 951 yesterday & was greeted with a lot of vibration on the steering wheel & a sense of it just not being right !!
As I have only recently had the belts replaced my initial thought was that the balance belt had failed. Speaking to my local Indie, they informed me that Balance belt failure generally resulted in excessive vibration
around 2500 to 2800 Rpm, but if I was passing to bring it down for them to have a look.
After a short test run they determined that it was not due to balance belt failure nor a miss-fire & suspected engine mount failure. Sure enough once on the ramp it could be seen that the offside mount had collapsed

Having read Sulzeruk's detailed account of how best to tackle replacing the engine mount in the technical articles I am still of the mind that I don't want to do it but will just have to get on with it.

Question is, has anyone experience of the aftermarket engine mounts available from Berlyn Services & Fraser Parts to name but a few.

Presumably these are 'Solid' rubber mounts £36.00 ? as opposed to the Porsche 'Hydraulic' mounts at £159.00
Do the aftermarket mounts result in more vibration being transmitted to the car & are people who have fitted them generally happy with the result?

 

[robwright]

Have them fitted, many do. No issues. I think they are generally regarded as better than originals. At least from Frazerpart or Berlyn anyway. Slightly different fit in terms of mounting bolts than the original. Bolts into the mount rather than through it so be careful with bolt length. Original bolt is too long and can puncture the mount. Run a tap through the thread in the new mount as well as it is made of aluminium and can cross thread easy if not absolutely spot on.

 

[BenEngland]

Thanks for the recommendation Rob, have ordered a pair from Frazerpart.

Just have to see if I can get the car up high enough to give ease of access.
After all its not rocket science to fit them, just a lot of spannering.
Prefer to try it myself before I resort to paying a mechanic

 

[Ex Skyline]

Hi Ben', may I ask how much you paid for them please? []

 

[edh]

ORIGINAL: BenEngland

Thanks for the recommendation Rob, have ordered a pair from Frazerpart.

Just have to see if I can get the car up high enough to give ease of access.
After all its not rocket science to fit them, just a lot of spannering.
Prefer to try it myself before I resort to paying a mechanic

I'd recommend dropping the cross member - there's a thread on this in the FAQ's

 

[Indi9xx]

I would stick with the hydraulic versions on the models of 944's designed to have the hydraulic ones, and they need not cost £159 each..

Original mounts had longer bolts for hydraulic and solid versions, even if you go for the hydraulic ones you need to get new bolts.

I would certainly drop the crossmember as EDH said a good time to renew your steering shaft at the same time.

 

[edh]

Good point, and I (and Jon) just happen to know of an excellent company that makes an uprated steering shaft - works very nicely on my car.

 

[Kongsodoken]

I agree with steering shaft, very pleased with mine

Engine mounts jot on your site Jon where can I buy, and how much[]

 

[BenEngland]

Bought mounts from Frazerpart £85.00 the pair delivered. Arrived yesterday and look the part. manufactured by 'Meyle' who are listed as an OEM supplier to Porsche.
They are described on their website as being a 'hydro bearing', their part No 4143750001.

And yes I intend dropping the crossmember, just waiting the arrival of an 'engine support beam', £43.00 from Germany via fleabay.
I know that various people have said to support the engine with a jack but as I will be working off axle stands I just wanted peace of mind that the engine is supported
and the extra room will be a bonus. Saying that will probably use a jack as well !!

Steering shaft was replaced a few years ago so will take the opportunity to inspect the universal joint but hopefully it will be OK.

Thanking every one for their advice & information.

 

[BenEngland]

Well I finally managed to replace the Engine mounts on my 951.
Almost ashamed to say that it took me the best part of 14 hours over two days working off axle stands.

Admittedly made a few basic mistakes that cost me time, like initially bolting the new mounts to the engine & then trying for some time to get the crossmember to
fit, correct way is to loosely fit engine mounts to crossmember first & then offer the assembly up to the engine.
Offside mount to engine bearer was easy. Nearside mount more problematical as I could only get one bolt hole lined up, eventually had to resort to using a large pair of stilsons
to twist the mount in order to get the other bolt started.

Steering shaft came off easily but was just not going to go back on, that is until I disconnected it completely from both ends whence the job became far easier.
Connect to the steering rack first & then to the steering column, ensuring that previously made alignment marks lined up.

Wish that I had pressure washed the underside of the engine, engine bay & crossmember before I started, would have been a whole lot less messy !!

Any way job now done & hopefully I will never have to do it again !!

 

[Eldavo]

I'm interested in knowing more about these mounts, are they hydraulic mounts the same as the OPC ones?

 

[Kongsodoken]

I too would be interested in knowing the best place to buy original mounts, As I understand it Meyle were OPC suppliers of the solid 924 mount and Reins supplied the Hydraulic mount and the solid OPC have quoted £159 I think JMG sell Reins mounts no idea how much, I only want the hydraulic ones anyone know the best place to buy[]

 

[Hallsy]

The Meyle ones sold as 'hydro bearings' are actually solid, the name is misleading.