deliriousga

When I was replacing my motor mounts, I searched all over for how to align the holes in the cross brace with the hole on the frame so you can get the bolts that act as pins to slide in. I found a few suggestions and tried them, but still could not get them to line up when I noticed something that made it a breeze to line everything up. I have not found this on the forum, so I figured I'd post it.

Here's the deal:
1) When you start putting things back together, there are four bolts that have 19mm heads that are for the lower cross brace supports. When you put those in, don't tighten them (already part of the instructions I used).

2) Next, you put the two lower control arm mounts ("U" shaped mounts) on with the 19mm head bolts and get them to almost tightened down.

3) Each of the two "U" shaped mounts you just put on have a horn with a threaded hole going through it. The threads will receive 10x1.5mm (17mm head) bolts. If you take a 3"-4" bolt with 10x1.5mm threads and screw it into the threaded hole in the horn, the bolt will go all the way through the horn and push the inside bolt on the lower crossmember support. That pushes the cross member into the exact position so the upper bolts can slide in easily. Once all of the upper bolts are installed with the nuts spun on, you tighten down one of the lower cross member support bolts on each side. Next, you remove the bolt you put in the "U" shaped lower control arm mount and tighten the other bolt in the lower cross member support. Finally, tighten the upper cross member support bolts and continue with the regular procedure.

This whole procedure took about 10 minutes tops to complete once I figured out what that horn was for.

chaadster

Hi John!

I'm glad you posted that tip...even after your careful explanation at SITM, I still forgot the particulars!

I haven't put in the mounts you gave me yet, but I'm hoping to do it this Fall, just before I put it up for the Winter. Thanks again for those; I owe you one, buddy!

Say, did Brian decide which model to go with yet?

deliriousga

I think he has settled on '85+ 5-speeds. He wants the 32V engine. The time frame looks to be within a year so hopefully he'll be in one for SITM '07.

ROG100

John,
Great information and I will put it to the test next weekend when I do the MM on my new 87.
I have done a few of these and evertime lining up those holes has been a PITA as well as very time consuming.
Do you think the holes in the U brackets were put vthere for this purpose?
Thanks,
Roger

Garth S

I may have the wrong mental image ( without a pic), but I suspect the 'horns' referred to are the lower mounting points for the mini shocks that supplement the solid motormounts on the pre '83 cars. That part was unchanged at least through all the S4 cars.

In any case , it makes one think that these mini shocks may not be a bad idea for those choosing to go with solid vs hydraulic Anchor/Corteco mounts .... it works for the early 16v cars.

Bill Ball

John:

I struggled with this 2 years ago. Glad to see a solution if a little late for me. Next time.

deliriousga

That's my guess. They were just so perfectly lined up and when I got the bolt tightened down hard. I want to take a pic of what I'm talking about, but I've been having to spend too much time trying to diagnose a problem with the wife's car. Once I get it up in the air again, I'll post some pics.

Bill Ball

Yeah, pics. I had to read the description 3 times and strained to visualize what you were saying. Thanks, John.

UKKid35

Thanks! I'm glad I've waited eighteen months to do this job, perhaps if I wait a few more months someone will post the totally painless 30 minute MM procedure.

macreel

UK... Ah, no pain, no Gain.

Remember, you're a 'sharkster'.


G'luck.