Updated trans mount design - The Boat Roller Mount

[nos4blood70]

Shift quality won't change much, but you'll likely get more vibes the stiffer you go. Shift kits do more to change shift quality than the mount will. You wouldn't notice a change in shift quality unless you went from a broken mount to the new roller or puck style which keeps the powertrain in place.

[JEFFSSSEI]

Thank's NOS

[Jazzy]

What did I do wrong? I ordered the kit from Andrew for the front tranny mount just behind the radiator about six months ago and could not make it work on my stock 2000 SLE.

The problem was that I could not tighten the nyloc nut down far enough for a snug fit, as only the first 1.5" or 2" of most 8" long bolts are threaded. With the nut bottomed out, there was still a 1/2" gap between the nut and the roller, so the engine would still jump up too much. I tried again adding 4 #8 washers as spacers, but this time I could not tighten it down enough either.

Could it be the nyloc nut should not have been reused? I read someplace that nyloc nuts are not designed to be screwed very far down a bolt.

I tried again after buying a new 1/2" by 8" bolt and nut, both grade #8, but I ended up with the nut threading the unthreaded part of the bolt (under great torque) and still could not get it snug.

I believed I followed Andrew's instructions correctly.

I ended up putting in a new Anchor brand mount, and of course six months later it is now shot. I'd try another one of Andrew's roller mount kits if someone could tell me what I did wrong the first time. (By the way, a shop wants $150 to put in a new Anchor one (they say this OEM AC Delco mounts are discontinued)-- a 15-minute job for me in my driveway. )

Thanks for any help.

[harofreak00]

Jazzy,

Can you post some pictures of your install? Did you have the bottom bushing in place? There should only be about an inch of exposed threads out the top after it is tightened down properly. The only change that I've made since this picture is adding a washer between the swaybar bushing and the subframe. If you ordered in the last year you would have the additional washer.

[Ramcharger310]

I still have two of your mounts I never put in. I plan to put one in this week. Should I add an extra washer? Is it needed?

[Jazzy]

I did not take any photos, but had the bushing in place per your photo. I did get the third washer, but did not use it between the bushing and the subframe because that washer was not in your photo. I'm not sure what difference that would make, unless (guessing here) without that third washer the bushing distorts and comes partly through the subframe bolt hole and so throws off the design. I ordered and installed it in late June, 2020, but because there was too much play in it, I replaced it with the Anchor Brand from Amazon a few weeks later. I think your design is great, so I must have done something wrong installing it.

As background, after I gave up and put in the new Anchor mount, the car seemed to drive much better for a while, a month or so, then back to the same problems. The main current/continuing problems are that there is an occasional harsh shift from first to second, and there is some vibration/ shaking at times when on the gas at various speeds. Maybe that Anchor mount broke internally in a month, but I didn't think to check it out since it was only a month old. Yesterday, eight months since the last Anchor mount install, I took the SLE to the (great) Aamco shop that rebuilt the transmission three years ago. Luckily, the car acted up while they test drove it, unlike the usual intermittent problem that goes away as soon as you get to the shop/doctor. All Aamco could find wrong was that bad front tranny/motor mount. No transmission trouble codes and they said that the CV axles and wheel bearings were fine, and that the side and rear mounts looked good (old but not cracked).

Last week, I had had a tire shop put on four new tires, balanced and aligned; two new front lower control arms with new ball joints and bushings; two new rear trailing arms; and two new rear shocks with the coils over to bypass the air shock set-up (the compressor was shot anyway). Within the last two years, I've replaced the outer tie rods, the MAF, MAP and TPS sensors (all OEM), the EGR valve unit, Iridium Spark plugs and Delco wires, the LIM, the ICM (junkyard) and three new coils, among other maintenance items. The car just passed 200,000 miles, but the body and interior are still sharp, and I hope to drive it forever, hopefully without replacing that front mount monthly or annually, if in fact that is the main cause of the problems.

[harofreak00]

I still have two of your mounts I never put in. I plan to put one in this week. Should I add an extra washer? Is it needed?

The washer is a really good idea. It will make the bushing last longer. If you don't have one handy, you could use the washer that goes on top of the bracket as that isn't as necessary.

[harofreak00]

Jazzy,

I just updated the original post explaining the extra washer with some pictures. I measured the subframe opening as exactly 2" depth.

[Ramcharger310]

So Andrew, does this look too tight or tight enough?

[harofreak00]

That looks a little on the tight side. But hard to say if its been installed for a while like that. The boat roller will actually compress and stay that compressed height. I've seen one that was smashed to 3" and stayed like that. It just had to be tight enough to take out the slop. You can loosen it and see if the engine rocks at all.

[zombie112]

Sent you a PM to see if you're still selling these, I just replaced my worn mount with a stock replacement and it already has a ton of movement again. Not sure if this is a reasonable amount of movement but it seems like more than it should be. I just ordered the rest of the mounts and plan on changing them out at some point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmEQHvmUuu4

[kc9dre]

It's amazing that 9 years later I will be performing this mod on my '03...

[analogkid455]

I just sent you an email Andrew. I want a kit from you.

[n8d513]

Are you still selling the kits Andrew? If so I want 3.

[nos4blood70]

Shoot him a message and he should see it if he hasn't helped you already!

[harofreak00]

Yup I got his shipped out already. I'm still selling them from time to time.