Jim_H

Certainly would have made things easier...

dr bob

That lift in Mark's picture looks like it would help a lot! At least you get to sit up while $tuff falls on you...

I did it on tall stands, used a small scissor jack to lift/move the motor around while the mounts were out. I'm not sure that having to work around the legs of the cherry picker and the lift would be a lot of fun though. Comments, Mark?

I think Joe Serio has one of those lifts too, and he raves about it.

Thaddeus

The last owner did the pan gasket, so that's not an issue. I'm going to pass on the WYIT items for now. I told the mech to bid 4 hours over and above the steering rack labor and he agreed. Thanks to all for the input.

Garth S

When there is 6'6" of amateur mechanic slithering around on his back under jack stands, there's little room for a second set of hands. I found that by using both knees and the left forearm ( classic triangulated lift), the X-member with MMs loosely attached can be guided into position to get one bolt started. Once that is done, start a bolt in the other end - and the weight is thankfully suspended.
Then, feed the tapered drift into the horizontal brace from the front side, as the MM bracket is aligned - and drive it out with the correct bolt from the back.
A piece of cake .... now, where's that bottle of Jack?

Mark

Actually - the legs of the cherry picker made for a bit of 'comfort'. Notice in the pic - I have 2 creepers, one on each side. By sitting them on the legs, you were in a slightly reclining position.

Nonetheless - as many have said - it is not a difficult job from a 'skillset' standpoint...but the dirt/grime and GRUNT factor is a {female dog}!!!

For me - it took quite a while -as I would work for a couple of hours, have difficulty in MOVING for a couple of days, and repeat that cycle over again! There's a lot of wierd angles you have to pretzel in to, to get at everything. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been without my lift.

Mine were original and lasted alsmost 20 years....I sure hope the Anchors last at least that long, as it is NOT a job I want to ever have to do again!

As for the lift...it is THE BEST tool I have ever bought (My power bleeder is a distant 2nd place!). It works great, and the adjustability of the lift arms makes it so that you can position the car in different ways to get at different parts. I would NOT want to have to do a TT R&R because of the access. But - tires/brakes/suspension as well as oil changes, AC/ALT/Starter work, etc....It is da bomb!

JimBob951

OK, got the Anchor mounts from Rockauto again today, finally they were the right ones, kinda. One was the USA one, the other the India one. Is it OK to to mix them, or should I send one back??

Jim
87 S4 a/t
87 951

Rich9928p

I just had my shop replace my S4's motor mounts (used Anchor), pan gasket and check the A/T flex plate tension (another WYIT job). The car feels like new, it is amazing how much smoother it feels. As a kicker, my shop did a great steam clean on the whole undercarriage.