Motor mounts replacement instructions needed

SUMMS

MEMBER
2002 FORD EXPLORER
4.6L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
300,000 MILES

I need to replace the motor mounts on my vehicle listed above, especially the one on the drivers side badly and I need help with a couple questions. I have the 4.6L V8 with 4x4 and I haven’t been able to find any videos of this procedure being done on this car and engine. I have read in some forums where guys say that you have to drop the front differential down to access on of the bolts on the drivers side. However, my Haynes manual makes no mention of this at all and doesn’t say it is necessary. It says you have to remove the front fan shroud for the cooling fan. I also wanted to ask if it is necessary to remove the fan as well or just the shroud as the Haynes manual is unclear on this as well. I really need to get this done I can feel vibrations and the car is starting to clunk when putting into reverse and I can literally see the engine sitting lower and sagging to one side. I don’t want anymore Damage done. It is a 19 year old car with 300,000 miles so it’s within the realm of possibility that the motor mounts are bad.

Thanks so much for your help.

11 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

I have included diagrams (picture below) of how to change the engine mounts.
The replacement procedure does call for removing the fan shroud.
Dropping the front differential is not required, but it might help. The instruction does not call for it.
This process does require a engine hoist, so that when you take the mounts off, the hoist will keep the engine from falling.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-motor-mount-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-motor-mounts

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.

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Saturday, July 31st, 2021 AT 11:14 PM

SUMMS

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Thanks, but those are the exact same instructions as the last set. Which help but you didn’t answer my questions. What is the orientation of the instructions? Is left side the passenger or driver side? Can I lift one side of the engine at a time or can I use a block of wood and lift the entire engine at one time to get to the mounts? Also, is the axle bushings they refer to where the differential connects? In the instruction number 10 I believe where it says to remove upper axle bushing is that an allen nut or a hex nut or just a normal nut. Sorry about all the questions I just want to make sure I have everything I need and am prepared. I hate having to stop midway through a job to get another tool or have to figure something out.

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 4:50 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The left and right is determined by sitting in the driver seat. So the left side is the driver side.

Yes, you can lift one side of the engine and then the other using a block of wood and jack stands.

That axle bushing bolt picture is a little deceiving as it looks like a hex or allen in the picture but that is just a regular bolt with a washer on the back side. If I remember correctly the nut is welded to the back side so it stays in place and it is a 15 or 18mm socket.

Please see the picture below for a better picture.

Sorry for all the back and forth. Hopefully we go them all but please let us know if you need more info. Thanks

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 7:32 AM

SUMMS

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Okay, this helps a lot. So other than getting the car on to jack stands I don’t need to jack the engine up at all until the very end right before I take the actual mount off? Most other instructions say you have to at least put a jack under there to support the engine a little bit to take pressure off of the mounts to unscrew all the various nuts and bolts. Is this not necessary to do until the actual removal? When I remove the axle bushings and what not I don’t need to worry about supporting anything to prevent it from falling do I? The differential isn’t going to fall down on me or anything like that, haha? I mean it will still be connected to the half shafts themselves I guess. I’m going to be doing this job tomorrow so if I run into anything while I’m working I’ll certainly send a message. I really appreciate all the help, this is the only place I’ve been able to get some legitimate answers. Thanks a lot.

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 7:27 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That is correct. You don't have to have the support in place until the last thing is coming out as that will hold it but it is not the best idea to wait until the end because if you happen to forget it then you will figure that out the hard way.

So if it is the first thing you do then you won't have an issue forgetting it. That is the only reason that they say to do it first. Clearly nothing is going to move until you take the last bolt out so as long as it is in before then, you will be fine.

Thanks for the update. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 7:49 PM

SUMMS

MEMBER
12 POSTS

Okay, thanks. Do you have any advice as to where will be the best spot to jack the engine up to get the mounts out? I know I need to use a 2x4 but Haynes manual says to lift up from the oil pan with the board in between the pan and the jack and I just feel a little uneasy jacking it up by the pan even with the board.

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Monday, August 2nd, 2021 AT 12:44 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

If you use the 2x4 on the pan, as recommended, it actually distributes the weight properly and does not damage anything. I have personally done the same method on different vehicles and works well.

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Monday, August 2nd, 2021 AT 6:30 AM