I need a mechanics opinion

Rossy.

I would prefere the opinion of a mechanic, preferably one who does it for a living or runs their own garage if possible!

Bascially i'm having a slight engine mount issue on my Renault Laguna II 1.9dci (52 plate)

It's got 3 engine mounts (gearbox, Dogbone, Top mount) and it also has what i presume a supporting brace that goes from the top engine mount and secures to the chassis of the car.

The support brace/mount secures it's self to the top mount via a bolt that penetrates the main mount's metal plate which is incased in a rubber bush about 2" inches deep

This is a pic of the main engine mount plate with the rubber bush




This is the supporting brace that attaches to the above rubber bush/mount plate



Bascially the rubber bush that penetrates the main engine mount plate is now worn, so when you accelerate, the support brace rubs the mount plate and gives off a metalic grinding noise.

I know it's definately this support brace giving the grinding noise.

I've removed it and i've fabricated a thin piece of rubber that goes flush with the support brace and main mount.

The problem i'm having now is that i'm getting more vibration than i'd like, and whilst the metalic grinding noise has now gone - nothing i do removes the vibrations until i take the support brace off

Can this brace be left off?

This brace to me is useless as with it removed, the engine does not move and is still held in place by the dogbone, gearbox, and top mount's

I know this is a common problem with Laguna's, as most owners just shove a piece of rubber where i've fabricated my rubber mount.

What should i do? - Grind down the rubber thinner to hopefully soften the vibration, or shall i just leave it off? - Obviously i don't want to damage/wear anything out so help please!!

EDIT:

I can confirm that i've just driven the car down the road with no knocks, vibrations, grinding noises etc. I've accelerated hard, been over speed humps etc and all seems well.

You can hardly tell the engine is running now as you can't feel any vibration at all!

Anyway if someone who deals with engine mounts day in day out could advise i'd really appreciate it

Stigy

I can't comment...

johnnyroper

the question you need to ask is why the support link is fitted in the first place and why it is split?

the support brace is designed to reduce the amount of kick on the engine whilst pulling away etc and is obviously doing its job as it has split the bush.
the reason you are getting vibrations is probably because the rubber you have inserted is altering the movement capabilities of the bush,also running without the link fitted will end up causing other issues in the long run like wearing main mounts out.

best theing is to renew the bush in my opinion,my brothers 2.0dci lag has similar problem so gonna replace it.

Flying-High_2

johnnyroper wrote: »

the question you need to ask is why the support link is fitted in the first place and why it is split?

the support brace is designed to reduce the amount of kick on the engine whilst pulling away etc and is obviously doing its job as it has split the bush.
the reason you are getting vibrations is probably because the rubber you have inserted is altering the movement capabilities of the bush,also running without the link fitted will end up causing other issues in the long run like wearing main mounts out.

best theing is to renew the bush in my opinion,my brothers 2.0dci lag has similar problem so gonna replace it.

I Don't run a garage... I Dont have GoogleTech in my toolbox but I weald spanners on a Daily basis.....But What he said ^^...

Standard bush will have reasonable clearance on a support/Torque link etc so its not under pressure until the engines moving under load...

Remove the clearance and the mount will transfer the vibrations into the car..

espresso

It's obvious really, if that stabiliser wasn't actually needed, they wouldn't fit it, therefore replace it.

colino

It needs replaced before you put strain on the other mounts or have probs with gearchange and exhaust.

Hammyman

+1. You'll find that with nothing there, the torque twist on the other mounts will cause them to fail prematurely.

Ihatecameron

Obviously the mount is designed to act as a shock absorber, buy a new one to see if it makes any difference.

Norman_Castle

I know this is a common problem with Laguna's, as most owners just shove a piece of rubber where i've fabricated my rubber mount.

What should i do? - Grind down the rubber thinner to hopefully soften the vibration, or shall i just leave it off? - Obviously i don't want to damage/wear anything out so help please!!

Have other owners had the same vibration problem, if so, how have they solved it and is a replacement part expensive?

Rossy.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Have other owners had the same vibration problem, if so, how have they solved it and is a replacement part expensive?

The rubber bush is £55+ VAT

The support mount is £120+ VAT

I actually went to Renault today and spoke with a friend who works there

He told me it's not needed on the vehicle and they have removed many of them from Laguna's.

He said the remainign 3 mounts will support the engine fine and i have nothing to concern myself over (most cars have 3 mounts btw)

I'm going to leave it off as the car sounds/drives so much better without it

Thank's for everyones input

johnnyroper

Rossy. wrote: »

The rubber bush is £55+ VAT

The support mount is £120+ VAT

I actually went to Renault today and spoke with a friend who works there

He told me it's not needed on the vehicle and they have removed many of them from Laguna's.

He said the remainign 3 mounts will support the engine fine and i have nothing to concern myself over (most cars have 3 mounts btw)

I'm going to leave it off as the car sounds/drives so much better without it

Thank's for everyones input

If what your friend says is correct why do renault fit one? i used to work in pug/vauxhall dealers and there is no way we would remove an item fitted from original build if it was knackered,they got renewed as they are meant to be there.Sounds like a dodgy dealer to me if they use practices like that.

also if it is not needed why would the bush be worn in the first place? to be worn like that it is obviously doing what it is supposed to do by taking up the kick of engine.If it was ok without it then the engine would not kick pulling away and the bush would not have worn.

obviously your choice but if you leave it off the other mounts will take up the kick causing premature wear.