Poly Lower Engine/Tranny Mount?

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 01 Apr 2009, 06:08

Has anyone tried modding the lower engine mount with a stock big end bushing and a poly small-end bushing? I've got a Powerflex small bushing coming to replace a fairly new OEM bushing that is already starting to tear. Although I've replaced these mounts on every FWD/AWD Volvo I've had, it appears that the newer style mount is even weaker in the small end which has been the end that has always failed first. Also I'm running fairly new OEM mounts everywhere else with the only other mod being solid strut brace mounts. So I guess the question is if you've done this mod how has it worked out?

Thanks,

Bill

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Apr 2009, 20:35

Are you talking about the tranny to engine mount?
If so I did change mine out to a poly mount but only the larger one is poly- the smaller one is original rubber. If I had it to do over I probably would have kept the stock one- vibrations are VERY noticeable- this is in my S70.

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 02 Apr 2009, 06:15

Yeah, that's the one. What you have described is my dilemma. The commonly available poly mods (IPD and QBM) for this mount replace the big-end bushing. What I am going to try is to replace the small-end which is grossly weak IMO with this Powerflex I have coming but retain the OEM rubber big-end. Although I expect a bit of vibration from this, my theory is that by retaining the rubber big-end it will not be as much vibration as your mod. If need be I also have the option of going back to rubber strut brace mounts to try and back off some of the vibration that those added when the weather is cold and the car is at idle.

Obviously, I guess I'll have to report my results since it appears nobody has given this mod a try yet. Oh well, a bit of invention eh?

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated

Bill

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 11 Apr 2009, 19:22

OK, today I put about 400 kms on a poly small-end bushing in the lower mount that had an OEM big-end bushing. I can report that it works great with little, if any, additional vibration. The shifts were perhaps a bit smoother than before but they were pretty decent before. Anyway,I would recommend this mod for any one having problems with the durability of the lower mount bushings. For those who are interested, after looking in North America with no luck, I picked this Powerflex bushing up from Motorbushes in the UK for £14.95 (free shipping worldwide BTW).

Cheers,

Bill