xtremerevolution Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 So here's what I started with... Every 6 months I would rip through a new bushing on the engine torque mount. And I figured I wanted better launches, harder shifts, and not have to rip through a whole new engine torque mount. So I decided to order the Energy Suspension bushings (Part 3.7103R). I figured it would solve my problem... ...oh man... I had already replaced the torque mount with a new OEM mount, and I realized I had to get the rubber bushings off first. For anyone who's bought one of these, you'll know that it is extremely difficult to get the rubber bushings out of the mount. After a bit of cutting with a utility knife, a screw driver, and some pliers, I finally got the rubber bushings out... ...so after a bit of hard work and cutting myself with the flathead screwdriver (don't ask) I get the bushings, and lo and behold, they don't fit, cause there's a ridge inside my mount and the bushings are flat. I figure it would be easier to sand off the bushings to round the inner edges than to cut the inside of the engine mount, so I start doing that instead. That worked out just fine, and I had properly fitting bushings that seemed to fit perfectly inside the mount... ...now, for anyone who's messed with these, you'll see that there's a little metal spacer inside the bushing that the bolt goes through (so the bolt doesn't rub directly against he bushing). It just so happened that I didn't think to measure the length of that bolt in comparison to the length of the bolt on the original bushing. Freakin bad idea... I stuff the torque engine mount into the "engine mount holder" (and let me tell ya, it barely went in), I run the bolt right through, and I start tightening the bolt, remembering that I had tightened the bolt quite nicely the last time I replaced the torque mount. Remember how I didn't measure the size of that spacer? Umm...yeah... ...not funny. Luckily, I was able to drive the car around while the bolt was connected to only one of the pieces still remaining. I ran down to the junkyard 15 minutes from my house and found 2 (out of like 40+ w-bodies) cars that had the mount I needed. I pulled it off, payed the guys for it, and went home to paint it with some aluminum high-heat paint. Needless to say, I learned my lesson. I went down to Lowes and picked up some 1/2" spacers and a 1/2" x 3" bolt that fit perfectly inside the bushings. I cut the spacers so they'd be the length I needed, drilled the mount holders to 1/2", and stuffed a 1/2" bolt through. A few headaches and a few hours of work later, I finally finished the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 all you had to do was buy eight 3/4 inch washers from the hardware store and thats the best mod for these dogbones cuz theres still suspension and you can use already "ruined" bushings and it squeezes them back into place so they work again. now you will feel vibrations through your car since you have solid mounts. you cant go back now though since you drilled the holes out...to be brutally honest.(sorry) this is the only pic I can find right now off hand but there on the left of this pic is part of a dogbone with a washer on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted September 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 all you had to do was buy eight 3/4 inch washers from the hardware store and thats the best mod for these dogbones cuz theres still suspension and you can use already "ruined" bushings and it squeezes them back into place so they work again. now you will feel vibrations through your car since you have solid mounts. you cant go back now though since you drilled the holes out...to be brutally honest.(sorry) Honestly, the amount of additional vibration is very small. I barely notice it unless I'm specifically looking for it. The shifts are definitely tighter than before, and the launches are harder as well. I highly doubt anything I just set up will ever break. This whole job wasn't just about my mounts breaking every 6 months, because that's only $8 and 10 minutes of work anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 you can go with the aluminum ones that are shaped exactly the same as those. I grabbed one out of a car in the yard the other day. with washers you will never have one break ever again. and NO vibration. oh well, no use harping on it. also 8 washers like that will cost you maybe 7 or 8 bucks or you can usually buy a box of 10 for $6.99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.