Lower motor mount catastrophe

[DailyDriverMark]

Crap. Back when I changed my clutch I had a problem with the lower motor mount.

I tried to remove it from the subframe/engine cradle thing. Of the 2 bolts one snapped off, and I couldn't get it out.
I re-connected the mount with just the one bolt to get the car going again.

I planned to get it fixed but have been putting it off as well.. Before last night, the mount showed signs of pulling away from the mounting point, but was holding on.

I guess, it had been flexing as I drove, and finally the threaded area where it attached to the subframe snapped right off and the mount is just hanging there. It couldn't be driven anymore, as the exhaust is the only thing keeping the engine from twisting out of the chassis. The shifter is all screwed up and it will only go into second gear.

I'm hoping I did't damage any of the linkage.

I wouldn't mind if the shop can jerry-rig the mount back on as it is.. maybe with some welding... but.. I have the suspicion I might be in for a whole new engine cradle.

Of course I'm a stickler for doing all my own work, but I give in here. It's barley in the 20f temperature here.
I can only wonder how frozen those frame bolt's are.

Used engine cradles locally are about $120 bucks.

[avguy]

Feel for you there buddy. All of us who do our own work have stuff like this happen, and it's the absolute pits to have to bring a DIY job into a shop and pay big $$ to have it fixed. Unfortunate that this happened at a time when you can't even take a shot at fixing it yourself . Hope the final tab doesn't go off-the-charts.

[DailyDriverMark]

Update: the car does need a new cradle. Not fixed yet, going to be over $300. No one in town has a cradle in stock

[classic67]

Is there anyway you can take apicture of what your working with? It doesnt sound like an easy fix but with another set of eyes or two we might notice something that can help you not have to spend that.

[petrified.rabbit]

$300 sounds a "little" high.. But if that is to weld a new nut or threadsert on each side of the mount hole. And they are drilling out the holes and such then its worth it to be back on the road. its not necessarily hard work but it is not fun work, and definitely not a flat rate guided procedure.

IT also much cheaper than a new frame.

[DailyDriverMark]

Update: the car does need a new cradle. They don't want to weld to it, as they say it's too much of a liability.

I have one on the way from a wrecking yard. $120 with a sway bar still attached from a 2007. There going to do the swap today.

I could save money by doing it myself.. but as I said, it's just to cold, and if any of the bolts are frozen (rusted) and break it could take me more time than I have. Better for me to have a shop do it, along with the front end alignment, and any extra parts (bushings) it might end up needing.

I was hoping I might be getting an updated sway bar, but it looks like my 2006 should have had the 18mm as well.

[DailyDriverMark]

Got my car back today. I paid for 4.5 hours of work at shop rates, ($290) +tax+ an $50 tow and $80 alignment.
Grand Total $468 bucks for the repair. Add to that, $135 for the engine cradle. And wow...thats more money than I had planned to spend this week.

Good repair. car seems put together right. Although once again, the steering wheel is about 2-3 degree's to the right.
I'm convinced- no one car properly align an Aveo. lol.