Is It OK Driving With Broken Motor Mounts?

//

It’s generally normal for your car to make some noises here and there, but you don’t want it to be making a lot of clicking or popping sounds. This abnormal noise may indicate something’s wrong with one of your vehicle’s crucial parts, such as broken motor mounts. But is it OK to drive with broken motor mounts?

It’s not OK to drive with broken motor mounts. Driving with broken motor mounts is dangerous and can cause internal engine damage. Also, a broken or missing motor mount can cause the engine to move around, making the car difficult to steer and control.

Read on for more information on broken motor mounts and what to do about them.

What Are the Risks of Driving With a Broken Motor Mount?

If you’re wondering whether it’s OK to drive with broken motor mounts, the damage may already be done. If you’ve been driving around with a damaged motor mount, your engine has probably shifted positions due to the unsecured part’s instability. It can pose risks when driving.

The risks of driving with a broken motor mount include:

  • Unpredictable car movement, including bouncing when you brake
  • Abnormal vibrations in the steering wheel
  • Engine damage 
  • Car accidents caused by unpredictable car movement
  • Increased emissions from your vehicle because of engine-related problems 

In a nutshell, a broken mount can cause expensive internal engine damage, resulting in an unaffordable repair bill or even spending more on buying a new vehicle.

You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on car repairs, so your best bet is to avoid driving with broken motor mounts and repair or replace them as soon as possible.

This YouTube video explains why you should never drive with a broken engine mount:

Signs That Your Motor Mount Is Broken

In general, you won’t be able to drive your car with a broken piece of metal hanging next to the engine. However, it’s not easy to tell if your motor mount has already been compromised just by looking at it.

Here are some signs that indicate that your car’s motor mounts may have broken:

You Sense Vibrations When Driving

Suppose you feel an abnormal vibration when you hit the brakes or accelerate. In that case, the chances are that your motor mounts are broken.

That’s because a broken engine mount may cause the engine to shift and bounce, which in turn causes vibrations in your car when you use the brakes or acceleration.

Your Car Makes a Lot of Noise

Often, the noise a broken motor mount makes is a popping or clicking sound that can be heard when going over bumps or accelerating.

You may have also noticed that your engine seems to have moved from its original position because of the loose piece of metal hanging beside it. These are signs that you should get your motor mounts checked and repaired soon.

There Are Damaged Car Parts Near the Engine

If you ever look under your hood and see that any of your engine’s surrounding parts are damaged, then it’s safe to assume that one or more motor mounts may be broken or missing. That’s because that loose metal hanging next to the engine should be secured by an engine mount. So if that metal isn’t secure, then one or more of your engine mounts are broken.

If you suspect a broken motor mount, it’s best to check with a mechanic to confirm the assumptions.

Note: Suppose your car’s internal parts are damaged near the area where an engine mount should be. In that case, there’s a good chance that your motor mount is broken.

There’s Shifting in the Engine Compartment

Another possible sign of broken engine mounts is the sudden shifting of your engine within its compartment. If you ever open the hood and notice that your engine has moved from its original position, it’s likely due to one or more broken motor mounts.

Causes of Broken Motor Mounts

There are many reasons why motor mounts can break. Here are some of the causes of broken motor mounts:

  • Running over potholes, speed bumps, or raised manholes: In general, you can break a motor mount by hitting any obstacle.
  • Driving over uneven roads: Even surfaces are the best for driving on, so it’s best to avoid roads with potholes or speed bumps whenever possible. If you encounter one of these obstacles on the road, try to drive around it as much as possible and avoid hitting it directly.
  • Driving aggressively: If you drive your car assertively or aggressively, the engine may bounce around more often. It puts additional stress on the motor mounts and can cause them to break faster than they normally would.
  • Shifting gears incorrectly: If you don’t shift correctly by using the right gears at the right time, it’ll affect how smoothly your car runs and ultimately put additional stress on your motor mounts, breaking them.
  • Normal wear and tear that causes engine mounts to grow weak over time: If you own a car, then it’s only a matter of time before its motor mounts start to break due to normal wear and tear.

When To Replace a Broken Motor Mount

It would be best to replace the broken motor mount immediately after confirming that it has indeed broken. You can do this by checking if its metal piece (that hangs down) is still secure or not, after which you should ask your mechanic to check for any missing pieces.

Note: A broken motor mount may also have caused other components in your car to become damaged. It’s because of how broken motor mounts affect your car’s engine. So you should get all of the broken pieces replaced with new ones so that every component underneath your hood is working properly again.

How To Replace a Motor Mount in 5 Steps

Here are the tools needed to replace a motor mount:

Once you have everything you need from your local auto parts store, it’s time to get started replacing a broken motor mount. Here are the steps:

1. Locate the Broken Engine Mount

The first thing you should do is locate the broken motor mount that needs to be replaced. To do this, look around the base of your engine compartment until you see an engine mount hanging down from it by a metal piece.

Note: If you’re having trouble finding any loose pieces near your engine, then this likely means that all of its motor mounts are broken, and you need to get them all replaced.

2. Remove the Broken Engine Mount

Now that you’ve located the broken motor mount, it’s time to remove it from your car. To do this, place an extension bar into its metal piece (the one hanging down), then secure it in place using a ratchet and socket wrench.

Caution: You may need someone to assist you to get the job done correctly and safely.

3. Install the Replacement Motor Mount

After removing the broken engine mount from your car, it’s time to install the new one that you just bought from your local auto parts store. You can do this by securing its metal piece into place using a socket wrench and extension bar, pushing down on it with force, then tightening it in place with the torque wrench.

4. Tighten the Bolts on the Replacement Motor Mount

You’ll need a ratchet and socket wrench to tighten all of the bolts on both sides of your newly installed replacement engine mount. To do this, tighten all of the bolts until they become snug. Then use a torque wrench to test how tight they are. In the end, they should have the same amount of torque.

5. Check if the Replacement Mount Is Installed Properly

After you’ve tightened all of the bolts on both sides of your new motor mount, double-check that it’s installed properly. You can do this by tugging on it or shaking your car back and forth to see if it feels loose or not. Use your ratchet and socket wrench to tighten it again if it feels loose.

Bottom Line

In general, it’s not safe to drive with a broken motor mount in your car. That’s because when one breaks, it causes damage to other components underneath your hood that can leave them broken as well. 

However, replacing a broken motor mount is relatively easy and doesn’t take too much time. If you know what you’re doing, you should be able to do it yourself. You can also hire a professional mechanic to get the job done if you don’t want to do it yourself.

Leave a Comment