Mazda 3 Motor Mounts
Over time, driving in even the most opportune of conditions can wear down all the various parts and components of your Mazda 3 sports car. This holds true not only for the twisting, turning, and rotating parts found deep within the core of the engine, but also for everything else, including the mounts that hold it in place. If you have been experiencing significant issues either while idling or with the transmission engaged, or you can feel the engine still vibrating when you stop and go, then it is probably time to replace the motor mounts in your Mazda.
How are motor mounts constructed?There are a few different types of motor mounts you can purchase for your Mazda 3, but they all share a basic design pattern. There is a metal bracket that attaches to the chassis, the motor mount, and the connecting hardware. Depending on the make and manufacturer, some will come with extra bracer plates for a proper fit.
- Rubber motor mounts are the ones that your Mazda 3 left the factory with and are also more common. They use a thick piece of rubber to prevent metal-on-metal contact between the engine and frame. This greatly dampens noise and vibration coming from the Mazda 3 motor, giving you a silent, smooth ride.
- Hydraulic mounts have a hollow chamber that is filled with glycol or some other hydraulic fluid. They are typically reserved for smaller four- or six-cylinder engines that tend to vibrate more than eight-cylinder models.
- Polyurethane products are a bit stiffer than rubber models, which translates into a bit more vibration and noise but also more power transferred down the drive line. They are a great option if you have made some modifications to your Mazda 3.
- Metal-on-metal or solid engine mounts have no damper to mitigate noise or vibration. However, they also offer less flex, meaning you will get the most power transfer to the wheels of your Mazda. These are great if your Mazda 3 is race ready.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products come straight from Mazda and are tailored specifically for your Mazda 3. By contrast, aftermarket products are produced by third-party companies and are more universal in design. In choosing between the two, you need to figure out which kind of motor mount will suit your needs for your Mazda 3. Higher-performance and racing mounts might only be available aftermarket if Mazda doesn’t deem a need to produce them.
How do you replace motor mounts on your Mazda 3?- Ensure that there are no obstacles between the engine and the frame of your Mazda 3. Make sure all hoses, wires, and lines have clearance to avoid snags.
- Secure the engine on a jack using blocks of wood as support. Loosen the bolts holding the engine to the frame, then crawl underneath your Mazda and remove the mount-to-frame brackets.
- Lift the engine slowly until you can reach in and remove the motor mounts. Compare the new ones for accuracy, and install them working in reverse.