2000 neon se my wife complained about the vibration she was experiencing while driving her neon. when i checked it out i found a broken bolt that goes through the right side wheel well and into the timing belt cover i extracted the bolt but cannot figure out how to remove the mount without pulling the motor i try to find the replacement part and all i find are the upper and lower strut mounts and trany mount. does anybody know what i am asking about and how to do it without pulling the motor. what else i should look for to prevent it from happening again? any help would be appreciated thank you

 

The motor mount is a complete PITA to get out. Here is how to remove and install the engine mount, as well as the top and bottom torque struts, and how to properly adjust everything when you finish reinstalling everything:

 

darthroush, i want to thank you for taking the time to show me how to do it, had i asked a little sooner it would not have been such a !!!!! to extract the broken bolt beings the engine mount bracket has to come off to change the mount really 1000 thanks and if your ever come down south give me a ring, i'll buy lunch, solid or liquid,

the through bolt for the mount i cannot find, no one seems to know what i am asking for and i've hit three junk yards with no luck the dealership calls the right motor mount support engine mount but on line i cannot find bolt, by the information you provided me i'll try asking for a right motor mount through bolt and see what happens

i did not mark the mount and i see the directions say to with a magic marker so i'll hope the impression is on the frame it looks as if it only goes on one way do you know the importance of marking the mount before removing it?

again darthroush, i really appreciate your help and i do A/c & Appliance repair going on thirty years so I think this is what I'll be when I grow up, if you ever need help with any major appliance or A/c or heat i can return the favor and get you the parts you need wholesale thanks a million, Dale
IF YOU NEED SOMETHING I CAN HELP YOU WITH LET ME KNOW fcku@usa.com

 

If you see this before you go to a dealer again asking for that bolt, print this picture out and take it in with you:


Any competent person, working in the parts department of a Dodge dealer, should be able to very easily see what you are talking about with that picture. If you are calling, tell them to look at that same picture on page 9-14 of the factory service manual.

I don't know the importance of marking the mount, actually. I have a feeling most people don't. My "idea," since I haven't actually done this yet: if possible, leave the four bolts loose on the body/frame, and when you get the torque struts aligned (so the engine is in the correct position), leave the jack in place tighten them then, along with the torque strut bolts.

You are very welcome for everything, and I will give you a holler if I need help with any of that! I know zip about A/C and appliance repair, lol.

EDIT: Found this taking a peek through the manual:

I guess you just line up the mount holes in the center of the holes in the frame, mark it, then install it. Nevermind my idea, but it does seem like it doesn't make too much a difference after reading that.

 

darthroush,
I thank you again for saving my a!!, and all B.S. aside this forum is very fortunate to have someone such as yourself answering peoples nightmares, this could have easily became a real clusterf!!! with out your help, i now know this all stems from me replacing the head and timing belt a year ago because i did not aline the struts or mark the motor mount i figured it magically did that on its own. My offer is real if you have any trouble with a/c or appliances let me know i can make it as easy as you have made this for me 1,000,000 thanks, dale

 

No problem! Let me know how it goes!

 

darthroush, i got it all put back together, which was easily done thanks to all your effort, i had to pay $90 for the upper strut from the dealer and got lucky on the bolt there was only one in phoenix and the computer was right i was worried but it was $3.50 and to think i went to three different junkyards looking for it. My wife is very happy says that it feels totally different, the vibration is gone, it is smooth and she feels it has better spunk, she is so happy she feels like she got a new car and i owe a lot of it to you, thanks. it is the second day and she says it all feels tight and loves her car again. so many thanks and i will talk to you soon thank you, SoCal

 

Glad to hear it is all better! I can't wait to get mine replaced when I do the timing belt/water pump. Hopefully my steering wheel won't act like a jackhammer anymore when I'm stopped at a light...

 

It has been about a week since this forum saved my a!!, I would like to thank darthroush for all the excellent information he provided me with and his insights as well. Had I not stumbled accross this forum I am afraid my dog would have to move it on over, the big dog is moving in. one week later and six hundred miles, my wife still loves me and believes her car has never felt so solid or had the spunk it now has. I have worked on my cars for thirty-five years my first one being a 67 impalla ragtop w/a 327 and never have I heard of anybody say changing mounts made the car handle so much better or it is so much faster/stronger it has always been my experience motor mounts do not improve these things my wife claims only the annoying vibration. All BS aside if you drive a 2nd generation Neon it would be a smart investment to have a knowledgeble neon person check your mounts and strut mounts, my wife acts as if it is a new car and loves driving it now. Thanks Dodge Forum --- darthroush, THANK YOU! SoCal

 

You may also want to check into these torque strut inserts: http://www.modernperformance.com/pro...t4-p-1131.html

I have the black, "street" version. It does transfer a bit of vibration into the cab (not that I can tell the difference ATM anyways because of my broken mount -> the steering wheel is a jackhammer anyways), but it will make the torque struts last much longer. The torque struts have holes in the mold, and these inserts fill in those holes. Without them, they can rock (torque, hence the name) back and forth causing them to tear and fail. By filling in the blanks, if you will, it keeps them from doing that pretty much eliminating most wear as far as that theory goes. No reason, or way IMO, that they could tear. Worthwhile investment IMO if you can handle the bit of vibration you'll get from them.

Just a thought...


P.S.- glad to hear your wife is enjoying her Neon once again!