Bad Transmission & Engine Mount Symptoms

Engine mounts play a significant role in your car’s handling, performance, and comfort, yet they are an often overlooked item until they fail completely. Factory BMW transmission and engine mounts utilize rubber and metal components; some are even liquid-filled in certain applications. These materials are used to minimize engine vibration and provide the most comfortable ride possible. 

BMWs are the Ultimate Driving Machine, and many of their owners value a smooth ride just as much as they value performance, so BMW engineers provide the best of both worlds. Just like any other rubber-based parts, such as belts, gaskets, coolant hoses, and tires, your transmission and engine mounts will eventually need to be replaced. Due to their location near the headers and exhaust of the car, transmission and engine mounts are subject to not only stress but also intense heating and cooling cycles which will eventually lead to the need to replace them. Here are five signs to look for and some of the best reasons why you should replace your transmission and engine mounts.

5 SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR TRANSMISSION & ENGINE MOUNT 

1. COLLAPSED MOUNTS

If you spend any time under the hood of your car, you may notice that your engine is leaning to one side more than usual or that your engine is sitting lower in the engine bay than normal. You might even begin to feel a slight engine vibration while your car is running. This is a telltale sign that either your transmission mounts or engine mounts are starting to collapse. Mounts on BMWs produced over the last few decades (E36, E46, E39 models, etc.) were made to allow them to collapse and shrink in size as they fail. This can be a gradual change that might be hard to notice at first, or they can go quickly, but when you notice it, it’s time to replace those old factory mounts before they fail completely resulting in costly engine damage.

2. BROKEN AND SEPARATED MOUNTS

The most significant sign that you need to replace your engine or transmission mounts is if the rubber portion of the mount is no longer making contact with the metal part and has completely broken apart. The symptoms that point to this happening are unusual vibrations coming from the drivetrain at idle or under acceleration or actually seeing the engine move back and forth in the engine bay when blipping the throttle. Sometimes the vibrations can even mimic other symptoms like a misfire caused by a bad coil. This additional engine movement adds stress and tension on parts like rubber coolant hoses, oil lines, and power steering lines which could possibly fail if subjected to too much movement and vibration. If one or both mounts have failed completely, you will need to replace them as soon as possible.

3. PERFORMING A MAJOR SERVICE

If you are doing any major service work on your BMW or if you are prepping it for a track day, it is imperative that you take a look at your engine and transmission mounts to see if they have collapsed, show any signs of wear, or if the rubber portion of the mount is starting to crack. Many suspension parts on BMWs utilize rubber bushings, and they suffer the same fate as factory drivetrain mounts. All of these parts are under a lot of stress, and while they might not all wear out at the same time if they are original factory parts that are decades old, they will certainly begin to fail one after another. If you are already replacing and upgrading suspension parts on your car, especially parts like control arm bushings or subframe bushings, it’s not a bad idea to replace your engine and transmission mounts as well. You can purchase multiple parts in a combo from Condor Speed Shop saving you time and money in the long run.  

4. PERFORMANCE DRIVING

Wanting to drive your BMW on the race track in a safe environment is the first step to learning how to drive fast. is a good sign, and also a sign that you need to replace your mounts. If you are looking for an upgrade that will increase throttle response without causing too much vibration, then replacing your stock engine & transmission mounts with VIP Polyurethane mounts is one of the best upgrades for a double-duty street/ track car that you will find. Polyurethane VIP mounts available from Condorspeedshop.com are 30% stiffer than factory mounts, but they still provide the comfort that you will want in a daily driver. Want that extra edge in performance for your street car? Solid engine & transmission mounts provide even more stiffness and are some of the most popular BMW Performance Upgrades you can get for your BMW. Upgrading to these engine and transmission mounts will increase responsiveness dramatically with a slight increase in NVH. If you are looking for that extra edge at an autocross or an occasional track day, UHMW mounts available from Condor Speed Shop are the way to go.  

5. HITTING THE TRACK

BMWs are in their natural habitat on the race track. BMW race cars can be found at tracks across the country every weekend, and they all have BMW racing parts under the hood. If you are building a race car or possibly refreshing an already built car, it means that you will most likely need to replace or upgrade your engine mounts. Stock rubber mounts are comfortable for the street, but will provide way too much movement on the race track. Upgrading to our solid engine and transmission mounts (and suspension bushings) is a no-brainer for a track car. For specific applications, it might even be necessary to upgrade to solid aluminum engine and transmission mounts. If you do run our solid white engine mounts you'll want to install engine mount heat sleeves to protect them from intense exhaust heat. The good news is that Condor Speed Shop offers all these parts and mounts for multiple BMW models, so whatever your plans are for your BMW racing car, you will be able to make it happen with quality made-in-the-USA parts that a knowledgeable enthusiast can install themselves.  

WHEN IT IS TIME TO REPLACE YOUR TRANSMISSION & ENGINE MOUNTS

The need to replace engine and transmission mounts can be a necessity in many situations from daily driving comfort to high-performance racing demands. Whether your BMW's mounts are aging, showing symptoms such as excessive vibration, constant engine movement, or internal fluid leaks, it's essential to act swiftly. Visual inspection may reveal small cracks or complete separation of the mount's components, making replacement a necessity.

A QUICK TRANSMISSION & ENGINE MOUNT REPLACEMENT GUIDE:

1. Visual Inspection: Start by inspecting the engine bay for obvious signs of engine mount failure like tilting of the engine, small cracks on the rubber sections, or any fluid leaks from hydraulic mounts.
2. Check for Vibration: Noticeable increases in vibration or constant vibration, especially at low speeds or cold starts, can indicate worn mounts.
3. Engine Movement Test: With the car stationary, gently rev the engine to see if there's excessive engine movement or unfamiliar thumping noises indicating mount wear.
4. Removal and Replacement: Suspend the engine, loosen and remove the nuts connecting the engine mount to the engine and chassis. Lower the subframe and replace the old mount with the new Condor mount, ensuring everything is back together and all bolts are tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FROM CONDOR SPEED SHOP

Don't let worn drivetrain mounts compromise the integrity and performance of your BMW. Upgrade to Condor Speed Shop's superior engine and transmission mounts designed for both everyday driving and the rigors of track performance. Our mounts are engineered to withstand the demands of on-track driving, reducing engine movement and enhancing responsiveness. Whether you need our VIP polyurethane engine mounts for comfort on the streets, solid UHMW engine mounts for that perfect balance between stiffness and comfort, or Armageddon solid engine mounts for ultimate rigidity in racing scenarios, we have you covered. Additionally, for BMW enthusiasts performing engine swaps and looking for a wiring harness adapter, Condor offers a variety of solutions to meet your needs.

Elevate your BMW's performance today with Condor Speed Shop's engine & transmission mounts, and ensure your vehicle remains the Ultimate Driving Machine. Visit our website for detailed "how-to" guides, great photography, and to explore our wide selection of suspension components designed for your specific BMW model. Trust Condor Speed Shop for quality, made-in-the-USA parts that you can't find anywhere else.

Article reviewed 03/18/2024:

Carlos Mendez

Owner of Condor Speed Shop

About the Reviewer:

Carlos Mendez has been racing BMWs successfully for over 11 years. Carlos has achieved three National NASA Championship titles’ and many regional podiums and victories within NASA, SCCA, WRL, and Champcar. His company, Condor Speed Shop was established based on an undying passion for racing and currently manufactures and sells performance BMW parts to road racers, drifters, and street car enthusiasts throughout the world.

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