Motor Mounts OFF-Center of Cross-Member bar.

[nene]

I was expecting to replace my 86 Carrera motor mounts in a hour or so, but for some unknown reason, the motor mount bolt would not line up with the Cross-Member bar, WTH? I tried forcing the Cross-Member, but decided not to and instead ask my fellow Pelicans for some professional advice.

In the pics below, it doesn't look like much, but trust me, it is about an inch off..

What ya' think: Cross-Member bar bent?


Thanx,

Serge

[Cooper911SC]

Just a knee jerk thought,

Are the small mounting bolts tight? or still loose?

I would initially install everything with the small mount to chassis bolts started finger tight so the mounts can move some to self center as the large bolts index with engine mount bar.

It looks like you are offset left/right? Both sides off the same? Tug on the floor jack that's supporting your engine to center things?

With that being said, has your car seen any "accident action"?
I had a buddy with a '75 Carrera that had taken a rear end hit and was poorly repaired. We had to use a pry bar to "lever" the mount into position. Not fun or correct.
The car has since been properly repaired/restored on a frame bench.

Cooper

[Craig_D]

Did they line up before you tried to change them? In other words, did you uninstall the old ones, and then find this misalignment when trying to install the new ones?

How is the engine being supported? Is it off kilter now and no longer level?

If you just uninstalled the old ones, then I'm going to guess that the motor is not sitting level on the jack.

[Trackrash]

Hard to tell from the picture but, if it is off front to rear you should be able to "flex" it into position.

[K Sykes]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Hard to tell from the picture but, if it is off front to rear you should be able to "flex" it into position.

Yep. Often the tourque from removal due to corrosion puts some bend in the end. Not a big deal to push it into position.

[Jesse16]

I found similar when I replaced my motor mounts. After several motor removal activities I can say mine never just line up perfect. If you want the least amount of pushing, then loosen the two tranny mount bolts to get the whole "system" as free as possible, then push and lever into position as necessary. I believe its rarely a "perfect fit". It'll all go together eventually.

[nene]

Thank you all for your input!

Just to clarify, this mount that I am showing is the drivers-side only, whereas the other is still intact. I was able to "fit" in the mount, but it required a bit of "muscle power". My concern is that since this is out of alignment, the force of the Cross-Member is now bearing on the body support itself.

Has anyone taken out the Cross-Member and straightened it out?

Serge

[whiz05403]

I put a brand new Renline crossbar in mine and still had to use a pry bar on both sides to line it up.

[Tigerrat]

If it took a lot of muscle to remove the bolts in the first place you can take out the cross mount and will probably find it twisted/bent/cracked weld. I would not just try to straighten. I have read where some re-welded. I did as above and ordered a Rennline cross mount which has extra bracing/weld gusset. It's just one of those jobs you think should take minutes and turns into days. Ken

[WYDBODY1986]

What Tigerrat described happened to me. If you want a stock one look for a used 87 and up bar they beefed up the bars in 87. I got mine from a Porsche auto Dismantler for 50.00 plus shipping

[WYDBODY1986]

Here is a pic of what mine looked like after I unscrewed the center bolt

[nene]

Thanx for all of the suggestions. I will take off the Bar and access its condition.

Serge