OK, I replaced the driver's side mount, no problem, thanks to the prior threads on this subject! (yes, using the search engine DOES usually generate the answer to your question - how many more Mobil 1 and antifreeze threads do we need!). On the passenger side, the BOTTOM BOLT WAS MISSING! No wonder the mounts were destroyed! Is there any other place I need to look for other problems that this could have generated?

Thanks in advance

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Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

One thing I would suggest is that if you're changing out the motor mounts, replace the lone tranny mount too.

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Brother of The Benz, bstreep
Consider the torque reaction of the engine.
With the passenger side mount missing the bottom bolt, this allows the engine to lift from the mount.
As this rotational force reacts upon components held fast between the engine and the frame, damage could occur to these items.
Invision this condition and move accordingly.
As suggested, the rear transmission mount would experience unusual stress and should be renewed as well.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Bill .... How did you determine that the motor mounts needed replacing. I have heard that the dealership has a gauge; any idea what it looks like or how it works? I "think" that my E320 mounts are OK, but I would like to be more confident.

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Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-speed, 95 E320 Wagon, 01 E320 Wagon, MGB, Boxster 'S', 190SL "Barn Find"

Mamma's out running errands, so I've got her running by the dreaded Benson dealer here in San Antonio. I hate buying anything from them, but it's only $9 more for the trans mount than Partshop/Fastlane, and I can get it done tonight. We'll see how it looks! Thanks again, everyone.

__________________
Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

Jim,
Make your own.
The measurement you are looking for is 13mm between the frame rail and the bottom lip on the mount. Less than that
and they are collapsed. On the 320e , it is also easier to take the bracket off the block as a unit and then do
the mounts in a vice.

PS- I use the head of a 13mm bolt as the gage.
Arthur

Actually, Randy my mechanic (poor guy, I'm doing more and more...) noticed it when checking the linkage. It's a slight vibration at idle.

Got the other one replaced, but it was in pretty good shape. Must have been that it WASN"T DOING ANYTHING! Bought the transmission mount, and the old one is LIKE NEW, so I left it alone for now. Car only has 36K on it... Started it up and it's smmmmoooooottttthhhhhh! Haven't taken it on a drive yet, I'll let Mamma do it (since she helped with the motor mounts!). What a gal!

__________________
Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

BTW, this is a pretty easy DIY project. Like anything else, "next time it'll be a snap". I started on the driver's side thinking that it would be the most difficult. It's actually easier. Both the 17mm bolts can be reached from under the car. I jacked up the engine with a floor jack and a 2 x 6. I could get to everything with the car flat on the floor. When putting the new ones in, they take a little more room than the old one. Put the bottom bolt in first LOOSELY, then the top one. Make SURE the ear on the mount faces out - it's the only way it fits.

I didn't tighten up the drivers side until after I finished the other side, thinking it might be easier. On the passenger side, the top bolt is difficult because of the clearance. A box wrench is necessary. Remove the shield, it's a 10mm bolt. Make sure you torque everything to spec. Maybe that's how the bottom one on the passenger side came up missing...

__________________
Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

Thanks Arthur for an easy way to check the mount. We replaced the mounts on a 1995 E300 Diesel and it was a very straightforward job. I even used an engine hoist like the book says. He was replacing the mounts because the dealership measured them and said that they needed to be replaced during a "free inspection". Now that I know how the check them, I will check mine tonight. Thanks. Please look at a E320 starter/wiring post that I will be posting soon.

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Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-speed, 95 E320 Wagon, 01 E320 Wagon, MGB, Boxster 'S', 190SL "Barn Find"