Motor Mounts: How Much Movement is Too Much?

Below is a video I took of my passenger side motor mount. It was taken on pavement at a max speed of 35 mph. On occassion when I shift to 1st gear from nuetral at a complete stop I get a light thud from the drivetrain. My shifter also moves quite a bit under acceleration in 1st gear.

So I'd like you all to take a look at the video and give some feedback on whether the movement is normal.



Thanks in advance.

 

I get the same light "thud" coming to a complete stop as my automatic shifts from 1st to neutral and then again when I let off the brake to get back on the gas. Figured it might be motor mounts but not sure.

 

Thus, my delima. But I'll probably replace them.

 

I have never taken a video of a motor mount but IMO that is probably perfectly normal. They are supposed to flex a bit. Back in my hot rod and drag racing days I would either use solid mounts or chain one side of the engine to the frame to prevent rubber mounts from tearing in half under acceleration.

 

Chain the engine to the frame...hmmm

 

Lol. It didn't stop the normal flex, just prevented the mounts from flexing enough to destroy themselves.

 

I took the video because of some clunking from the front end when driving over bumps. Only the motor mounts looked suspicious to me.

 

Yes chaining the Engine to the frame brings back memories.

The feel of launching a 750 plus horsepower car is something one never forgets

the torque would just pull the right mount apart making a big mess

 

This. Nothing wrong with that mount.

BTDT. Have used a turnbuckle setup as well.

I'm wondering if the noise is the common axle wrap issue with the factory rear leaf springs. The one which produces the noise is the passenger side. You should see the leafs flexing enough to separate, then slapping together once the torque is done (after you've come to a complete stop, etc.).

 

I've had Dakars on for a few months. The noise pre-dates installation, but still worth a closer look.

 

Clunking over bumps sounds like the classic ball-joint failure situation. Had this on my previous ranger. Sounded like shocks slapping with no oil, but wasn't. Sounded like lots of things, but was ball joints.

 

Thanks. Balljoints are on my "short list".