"By the book," I show 4.9 hours to change all 4 mounts. The mechanic is overcharging you by roughly 3 hours.

 

Which book have you read, can you recommend it? And where can I buy high performance mounts instead of OEM mounts?

 

the book he is quoting from is the Official Dodge Service book they use in order to bill customers for specific repairs and if they are honest, it is supposed to match the labor rate Dodge pays for. For warranty work, the dealer is paid labor based on those hour rates for that repair and not a penny more.

http://www.modernperformance.com/cat...ne_motormounts

What you need is a copy of the Haynes repair manual at any parts store.

 

I had originally called around a few years ago when I needed my transmission oil pump changed before I just decided to do it myself. One shop quoted me double the specified time and I asked them why that was as Dodge/Mitchell1 (what many shops use) said it was half the time. "Huh?" As it turns out, they used Mitchell1 and I walked them through to the page for the oil pump and after he saw he just quoted me double the time, his response was that they sometimes quote more time just in case, but I wouldn't be paying it if they didn't take that long. Needless to say, they were immediately crossed off the prospective list. LOL at some people/places.

At any rate, be aware that high-performance mounts will transfer A LOT more vibration into the cab of the car. "Better" is a relative term.

 

Thanks for your comments. In addition, where can I read free Haynes repair manual for my dodge neon SXT? Any internet free source?

 

There are hyperlinks in my signature for each appropriate manual. For your 2005, you will want to click the "'03-'05 FSM" link.

 

I read the manual for my 2005 dodge neon; however, I got a little bit confusion, now I don't know whether I should replace my engine mount or vibration damper. The problem is when I start my car, I can feel shaking and hear the sound from vibration of car interior.

 

I read the manual for my 2005 dodge neon; however, I got a little bit confusion, now I don't know whether I should replace my engine mount or harmonic balancer/vibration damper. The problem of my car is when I start my car, I can feel shaking and hear the sound from vibration of car interior.

 

If your harmonic balancer were bad, you'd have a bad vibration all of the time; not just at start up. You'd probably also do some damage at some point in some degree if you were driving around with a bad balancer.

 

Today I asked local mechanic to replace the motor mount (the right middle one). So I have replaced two struts (upper and lower) by myself and one mount by mechanic. Then when I started engine, I can still feel vibration (but much better than before). In this case, should I replace transmission mount? Can transmission also cause vibration?