Replacing front engine mounts on 6cylinder VT

[javjup]

Has anyone replaced the front engine mounts?
Can you provide instructions to do so? Easy or difficult? Any problems?
Would you reccomend doing this or send it to the professionals?

[accentstencil]

It can be a bit tricky sometimes but if you are handy with tools, give it a go. The best thing to do is buy a Gregory's workshop manual for step by step instructions on how to do it. It will cost you around $40 and save you a fortune, now and in the future.

[rpurser]

if your handy do it yourself, $330 for both of mine fitted by my mechanic.

[VrWagz1]

Just do the passenger side if it really needs it, the other side dosnt get pulled on, except in reverse

[blackbedford]

G'day

My mechanic mate said that it took him most of the day to do both sides and that he won't be doing it again.
Maybe he is just getting old but it obviously is a difficult job.

[rpurser]

most of the day??? i only got charged 1.5 hours labour and that included other repairs and an overall inspection

[stevoss]

i recommend getting a prof to do it as i had a go and couldnt get it back in was worth the money really was makes the car so much better to drive aswell

instructions:
1) jack car up at crossmember and support on stands

2) undo mount nuts at bottom of crossmember either side

3) using a large chunk of wood that is as wide as the jack top and as long as the sump where it is getting lifted, jack up the engine about 1-2" when you do that the mounts will adjust them selves and now not be facing the holes to be lowered back into later.

4) on the drivers side there is 4 bolts holding the mount to the engine undo these and it should drop the mount down.

5) from here you should have a bracket which the mount is attached to, so take the mount off it and bolt the new one on, the place back on side of the engine and do the bolts up loosely (engine to Bracket)

6) now otherside (passenger) is more difficult as you have the added problem of the air con compressor which is in the way, you can remove the bolts holding it in place and using some wire or something support it in a way that is doesnt move very far (being and old car the orings might be goneski and will leak gas when moved)

then will give you more access to change the mount same deal here as it has a bracket holding it on, so swap and re mount.

7) this is were it can get really interesting as you have to direct the direction of the bolts so they correctly re-align themselves back into the holes in the crossmember then once they are very close lower the engine back down a little bit but still enough support so you can get the all the bolts on the block to brackets tight, then lower completely with the full weight of the engine back down on the mounts install the nuts tighten and replace the air con compressor and you should be sweet, as i said i didnt get that far as i freaked out, but when you get under the car you can see what needs to be done, on a hoist and being able to support and engine properly it can be done so much easier and is defo worth the money.

mounts genuine from holden i paid 100 each side i know expensive but i dont care it did the job, and i got a good diagram of how they install at the same time which helps with understanding of the work involved so check that yourself before you start and if you think you can handle it have a go if not just get a mechanic in, worse case you did like me i started couldnt finish and just got the car towed instead.