05 Vibe base Motor Mounts???

[Chiadog]

I'm noticing a high frequency vibration under acceleration in my 05 base with automatic transmission. My guess is motor mounts. I haven't checked them yet.
Do I check them just by torquing the engine in forward and reverse against the parking brake? and watching for engine movement?
Is it "normal" to replace "base" Vibe motor mounts at 150K miles? Any consensus where to buy replacement motor mounts?
Thanks,
chiadog

[JohnO]

Front motor mounts are usually the first to go since they absorb the torque of the motor under load. Mine still seem to be OK on my Vibe at 120,000 miles. I've replaced them on other cars at about that mileage, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if yours need replacement.

You are correct about how to check them. Stand beside the car instead of in front when watching in case the brakes don't hold.

I would replace them with OEM parts. I haven't had much luck with aftermarket ones. They are usually pretty poor quality material and workmanship.

[lannvouivre]

I think I read that you should see if you can wiggle them with a pry bar in my Haynes booklet, but I'll have to double check tomorrow. My dad told me you can tell if a motor mount is out if the engine leaps up and tries to escape through the hood when you rev.

[Chiadog]

Thanks for the input and good ideas!
I checked the mounts by brake-torquing a little in drive and reverse and the engine seems to move more than it should. Didn't measure, but maybe 8" total movement at the top of the engine. I do have a Haynes manual and I will check the mounts according to the book when warm weather returns. Took a while to find the info, Haynes calls them "powertrain" mounts. La-Te-DA.

[JohnO]

but maybe 8" total movement at the top of the engine.

8 inches! That is way too much! Shifting from drive to reverse at idle should allow 1-2 inches. Loading the engine shouldn't add much more.

[lannvouivre]

8 inches? Oh dear. That sounds like an escape attempt to me!

[Chiadog]

8 inches! That is way too much! Shifting from drive to reverse at idle should allow 1-2 inches. Loading the engine shouldn't add much more.

I should have actually measured the movement, could have been more like 5-6". Still too much at any rate. Thanks JohnO!

8 inches? Oh dear. That sounds like an escape attempt to me!

LOL, I think You're right, Lanny!