So I snapped the Engine/Frame Rail mount bolt

01rtgurl · Post by **01rtgurl** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:53 am

The other day I noticed my engine was noticeably lower on the passenger side... looked at the top mount and the part inside the mount that the bolt goes through, was headed towards the outside of the car. So I ordered the BWoody upper/lower dogbones. I went to do the job this morning, about 3 hours ago.

1.) the holes in the dogbone mounts are much bigger than the bolts. I used a sleeve in one of the lower mount's holes, but don't have one for the top.
2.) the upper mount, where the mount goes thru the 2 pieces of "sheetmetal" to the frame part (off the strut tower), is smaller than the original, so I started to squish the 2 pieces of metal trying to torque it.
3.) The engine STILL is lower on the pass. side!!!!!!!!

I looked down under the top mount and saw the frame rail/engine mount. It didn't look like anything was connected, so I put a piece of paper in between... sure enuf, NOTHING. Took out the plug in the wheel well for access to the bolt... I pulled half the bolt out with my hand, wasn't even attached anymore. So... cool. 1-2 day order item from the dealer for a whopping $2.49.

But here's the thing: The bolt is still perfectly lined up....... what is causing my engine to be lower on the passenger side still?? I'm going to order the BWoody tranny mount, too, as I'm sure in the 100,000 miles I've had the car... that it is shot by now. I also wonder if this is my weird clunking noise I've been hearing?!?!

Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.

::::EDIT:::: The bolt was NOT perfectly lined up...... it was about 2.5" LOWER. Drilled the remnants of the old bolt out, [cut and put in a temporary bolt. A simple motor mount install turned into way more.

I'm off now, I'll see if the clunking has stopped.

FTWNeon · Post by **FTWNeon** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:44 pm

Wow, that really sucks, hope everything works out now.

01rtgurl · Post by **01rtgurl** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:20 am

Has anyone snapped this before?!?! I don't know when it snapped but it ruined the top mount b/c it was supporting all the weight of the engine

Here's pics of the old and new bolt (dad picked one up).

Yeaaaaahhhhhhhh! No clue how long it's been snapped (I hit 100k a lil while ago). But the passenger side of the engine was literally 5" lower than the driver side because of it. (I should have took pics of THAT!!)

So ... if your engine is sitting lower on one side... check the framerail mount

ChrisRT · Post by **ChrisRT** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:16 am

Wow, what did you do to break that!?

01rtgurl · Post by **01rtgurl** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:52 am

No clue. And I don't know how long it's been like that!! Most of the clunk/pop noise is gone now, though.

latief · Post by **latief** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:32 pm

what is the deal with the replacemnt bolt, why is blue and why is not torx-55

thanks,

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:53 pm

01rtgurl wrote:No clue how long it's been snapped (I hit 100k a lil while ago). But the passenger side of the engine was literally 5" lower than the driver side because of it.

More proof that you can't kill a Neon!

latief · Post by **latief** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:13 pm

was the engine mount hole and the new bolt the same diameter? or was the hole a little bigger? i'm talking about the hole that goes through the frame mount, where you insert the bolt that borke.....

01rtgurl · Post by **01rtgurl** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:15 am

The engine mount hole and the new bolt were the same diameter, the same thread pitch, everything. My dad machined the end to look like the old bolt. The reason that it's different is that my dad picked one up from work... it's got to be pretty hard because they only work with that kind of stuff. That's why it's not a torx. I didn't have time to wait 1-2 days to get one from the dealer... I had places to go and my Miata is torn apart for a timing belt/water pump/misc seals!

00element10 · Post by **00element10** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:48 pm

when i put a new clutch in my car i completely destroyed all my motor mounts. The only one i ever really had problems problems with was the top torque arm. not only would the rubber keep ripping out of it but the bolt would snap. So i upgraded to a solid aluminum top mount and snapped that in half as well. Had the mount rewelded and filled the other mounts (which i bought brand new and cost a fortune at the stealership) with construction polyurethane and let set for 2 weeks. I had them in the car for two days and then i wrecked my car in the front end. spun out into a gaurdrail at 50 or so and my motor hadnt moved at all. the polyurethane didnt crack at all. But i think my bolts were snapping because all the rubber in the mounts were torn out and the engine was just kinda floppin around. wish i still had my neon...