Upper engine mount

[Alpine]

just realised that my upper engine mount is split

Is it a job I can do myself, although I only have fairly basic tools? I did a quick google search and it seems you need to press the old one out, in which case I might need to get my mechanic onto it.

[4x4]

I changed mine with a couple of large sockets, threaded bar, nuts and washers

[richmac]

Hi,

It depends how much the garage charge will be; Volvo have a great big special hydraulic tool for this job and take half the engine bay apart. I bought a cheap press kit, (one of those little red suitcase affairs), from ebay and did it myself with a Volvo bush. It's theoretically quite a simple job but made tricky by having to manipulate all the press kit bits and the offset bush hole. The improvised method above actually looks more suitable and easier to use if you have the bits. You can do it with the turbo hoses in place. I did see a video in which a clever chap hacksawed the bush out and tapped in the new bush with a hammer and wooden 'block'. If you get a non Volvo mechanc to do it, make sure they know how to orienatate/ line up the bush properly.

As an aside, I was really surprised how much this bush affects the car's handling, (mine had completely let go by the time I noticed it).

BR,

Rich.

[4x4]

Originally Posted by richmac

... a clever chap hacksawed the bush out and tapped in the new bush with a hammer and wooden 'block'.

Not sure this is even possible, the bush sidewall is flexible and extremely difficult to get started into the metal bush-eye. I had to use jubilee clips in my socket to stop the sidewall distorting so can't see a block of wood and hammer being successful

[JohnM 855 T5R]

When doing my C70 some years ago, the bush was in a state and I was able to get the rubber out. Then very very carefully hacksawed out the remaining steel outer. Popped the new bush in the freezer for an hour or so to shrink it down - it then went in with no force needed at all, just a push fit. You have to be a bit quick and make sure you have the bush properly centralised. Give it a few hours to stabilise at ambient temp and bolt everything back up - simples!
While you are at it, make sure to replace the bulkhead bush as well if you haven't already done so.

Regards
John

[SteveSarre]

Hi all,

I will doing one of mine shortly, and will try 4x4's technique, plus the "pop it in the freezer".

As far as I remember the bush has an outer casing which is plastic not metal.
Also I think the hole in the mounting arm is slightly tapered, so you need to push the bush in from the correct side (and obviously align it correctly as well).

In the past I have resorted to taking the mounting arm off (and replacing the bush "off the car"). In fact now I think of it, I have a number of arms already off, so will practice on those first.

Steve

[Luxobarge]

When I did mine, as mentioned above I threaded a hacksaw blade through the old one and sawed back to the metal, it then came out quite easily. However I replaced it with a Polybush item, which will last a very long time and I honestly haven't found that there's any appreciable additional vibration. The other advantage if this is that the Polybush is an easy fit, just push it in with your fingers, use a sparing wipe of vaseline on it to make it even easier. Had no problems with it since, and I did mine about 8 years ago.

[JohnM 855 T5R]

Originally Posted by SteveSarre

As far as I remember the bush has an outer casing which is plastic not metal.
Also I think the hole in the mounting arm is slightly tapered, so you need to push the bush in from the correct side (and obviously align it correctly as well).
Steve

I think you are right - there is a very slight taper. If my memory serves me well, the outer bush sleeve was steel on my old C70, hence the careful hacksawing. I replaced the bush on my T-5R a year ago and the new one certainly was steel. Beware of polybushes. They are noisier in my opinion (dreadful racket in the T-5R hence why I changed it) and they have a tendency to stretch the mounting plate bore which means a standard bush rattles around - hence I had to buy a new mounting plate as well. Easy enough to change but just more expense.

Regards
John

[Alpine]

thanks a lot for all of the comments, really useful

I have seen when searching for the bush on ebay that for an extra £20 it is possible to buy the entire mount with the uprated square bush. See here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284506416...YAAMXQ3kRQ8BBU

Does anyone have any view on these?

[richmac]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Not sure this is even possible, the bush sidewall is flexible and extremely difficult to get started into the metal bush-eye. I had to use jubilee clips in my socket to stop the sidewall distorting so can't see a block of wood and hammer being successful

Neither was I until I saw it......full marks for effort.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...%26form%3DQBVR