I replaced the engine mounts on my 98 E320 with 112K miles yesterday and thought I share my experience.

The drivers side engine mount was leaking and I noticed a slight vibration at 50-75 MPH. I decided to replace both mounts due to the age and mileage of my E320.

I loosened the fan shroud cover to allow clearence between the fan blade and shroud when I jack the engine up to remove the mounts.

I decided to replace the drivers side first. I started by removing both the front and center belly pans. Then I removed the lower mount bolt (13mm) then the upper mount bolt (17mm). In order to get my hand on the wrench for the upper mount bolt I needed to unbolt the steering wheel linkage (10mm). Clearance sucks for the upper mount bolt, little room to swing the wrench and plenty scrapes on my hands and forearms.

After removing both the engine mount bolts I used a piece of wood and jacked the engine up enough to slide the old mount out. While trying to get the old mount out, fluid leaked out causing a bit of a mess and I realized that there was not enough room to get the old mount out.

I decided to remove the three bolts securing the AC compressor, swing it out of the way enough to remove the mount. The other option would have been to remove the exhaust manifold. I decided not to do this since the upper bolt on the exhaust pipe flange looked near impossible to get at.

I installed the new mount, aligned the upper pin and screwed in the upper bolt (finger tight) and did the final tightening after fully lowering the engine. I lowered the engine to allow the mount to come within 1/8" of the frame. This allowed me to move the mount enough to start the lower bolt. I screwed in the lower bolt (finger tight) and did the final tightening after replacing the passenger side mount.

I put the AC compressor and steering wheel linkage back together.

The passenger side mount went much smoother. I was able to get the mount out (through the rear) without removing anything. Clearance still sucked for the upper mount bolt with little room to swing the wrench.

Comparing the old mounts to the new mounts, the new mounts were 5/8" taller. I would suggest that anyone looking to replace engine mounts that you do them in pairs. Even though only one my mounts was leaking the other mounts rubber was in bad shape and looked like it was ready to start leaking and was 5/8" shorter then the new mounts.

Since I spent today getting down the Christmass decorations and putting up the outside lights, I didn't get a chance to test drive the car after installing the new mounts.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Thanks for the write up Ray. What did the mounts cost? Are the two mounts the only parts needed?

Len
'99 E300TD 84,000 miles

The mounts cost me $165 from Mercedesshop and were the only parts needed.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Thanks Ray.

Len