Lessons learned--motor mount version
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: El Campo, TX
Lessons learned--motor mount version
2008 JKU Sahara 217K
While involved in my exhaust manifold replacement project, I fell prey to the marketing advisement that you needed to replace the motor mounts at the same time (especially on high mileage vehicles). OK, sounded reasonable. So, after trying to do some research on the difficulty level of replacing motor mounts, I read that, "if you can do the manifolds, then the motor mounts shouldn't be an issue."
Well.....now I realize why I can't find any videos of replacing these mounts. Way too much foul language involved.
Note: This was done with both exhaust manifolds already removed..
Lessons learned: don't try to do this by yourself. Even with jacks and all, just don't. That extra pair of hands made all the difference when you are underneath struggling to remove the mount.
Drivers side: If at all possible, dropping the front drive shaft will make removing and installing the mount SO MUCH EASIER. It took close to a half hour of twisting and contorting to finally get it removed because i could not get the driveshaft bolts loose.
The AC compressor must be unbolted and moved out of the way. You can leave the hoses connected, but strap it up securely as far forward and out of the way as possible. One of the mounting bolts goes through the motor mount. There is a heat shield that also needs to be removed to the lower left mounted to the frame.
I had no issues with any of the bolts. They broke free easily enough. Just very tight to work, even with extensions and universal adapters. Also really tough to get a torque wrench on several of the bolts.
Since it took as long as it did on the driver side... I'm taking a half day of vacation today to work on the passenger side, the trans. mount and installing both exhaust manifolds.
Will update as the project progresses. Wish me luck.
God Bless.
will
While involved in my exhaust manifold replacement project, I fell prey to the marketing advisement that you needed to replace the motor mounts at the same time (especially on high mileage vehicles). OK, sounded reasonable. So, after trying to do some research on the difficulty level of replacing motor mounts, I read that, "if you can do the manifolds, then the motor mounts shouldn't be an issue."
Well.....now I realize why I can't find any videos of replacing these mounts. Way too much foul language involved.
Note: This was done with both exhaust manifolds already removed..
Lessons learned: don't try to do this by yourself. Even with jacks and all, just don't. That extra pair of hands made all the difference when you are underneath struggling to remove the mount.
Drivers side: If at all possible, dropping the front drive shaft will make removing and installing the mount SO MUCH EASIER. It took close to a half hour of twisting and contorting to finally get it removed because i could not get the driveshaft bolts loose.
The AC compressor must be unbolted and moved out of the way. You can leave the hoses connected, but strap it up securely as far forward and out of the way as possible. One of the mounting bolts goes through the motor mount. There is a heat shield that also needs to be removed to the lower left mounted to the frame.
I had no issues with any of the bolts. They broke free easily enough. Just very tight to work, even with extensions and universal adapters. Also really tough to get a torque wrench on several of the bolts.
Since it took as long as it did on the driver side... I'm taking a half day of vacation today to work on the passenger side, the trans. mount and installing both exhaust manifolds.
Will update as the project progresses. Wish me luck.
God Bless.
will
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: El Campo, TX
Ok, Got the other motor mount installed today as well as the trans. mount. Got the exhaust manifolds both installed. Wasn’t terrible, just time consuming. Got the battery tray, fuse box, air cleaner, etc. all put back together. Started it up, and bad exhaust leaks where the manifolds meet the collector pipes. Not supposed to be a gasket, and I cleaned up the surface of the pipes, but no bueno. Any advice is welcome. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Regards and good night,
w
Regards and good night,
w
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: El Campo, TX
Ok, so I feel like dumb*55. But I never claimed to be a mechanic. I’m reasonably sure that I do not have an exhaust leak. I hooked up the shop vac in reverse and tested by pressurizing through the tailpipe. Could not detect any leakage. I’m pretty sure that all the smoke coming from the manifolds is burn off from whatever the factory uses to protect them during storage. After several minutes of running, they cleared up pretty much completely. So, note to any noobs out here trying to keep the fun alive….dont panic. It might not be broke.
regards to all,
w
regards to all,
w
