finally did it

[h2oyo]

Ok so its not anything one can see but I can feel it and after the amount of work, sweat and tears it is done and well worth it. Yeah I replaced the motor mounts on my 95 540. This was something I have had to do for a couple of weeks and today I decided to go for it. What a pain in the butt lol. I just wanted to let anyone that is about to do this, yes it is possible to get a socket on the top bolt for the driver side mount. If anybody would like to know how I did it now it the time to ask as it is very fresh in my mind. :buttrock
What a job,

[5mall5nail5]

Rather than wait for people to ask, if it is in fact difficult, tell us?

[h2oyo]

Rather than wait for people to ask, if it is in fact difficult, tell us?
The top bolt for the motor mount on the driver side is buried. I was told that if you used a 18 inch 3/8 extension with a universal swivel then a 1 inch extension and a short 5 point socket you could get it off. I found that to impossible because of the double angle you have to work with. I used a 24 inch 3/8 extension with a universal swivel and the 1 inch extension but I bought a set of worble sockets. My mount was broken completely. I had to lift the motor remove the bottom piece of the mount this give you just enough room to get your fingers on the nut. Use a good bright flashlight and from the top you can just see half the nut. feed your extension setup through the ABS lines and let it rest on the motor mount nut. from under the car you can then put the worble socket on the 1 inch extension. This part would be easier with a helper. From under the car you can just lift the extension setup and get it to lay over the stud with the nut on it. Then from the top again you can very gently spin the extension using very light down pressure and get the socket to to drop over the nut. I used a half inch impact with a reducer and gave the nut one quick rap and it spun it right off. You can then lift the motor just high enough to slip the new mount into the top hole and align the two bottom studs into there holes. I then dropped the motor just a little bit so the the bottom studs are locked into there holes and the mount wont spin when you tighten the top nut. Using the same extension setup tighten the top nut again I used an impact but this time a 3/8. I used the half inch gun to take it off because of all the extensions and possible power loss. Then just slowly drop the motor down making sure everything is lined up well. Just that easy. I tried this with a regular 5 point socket but it just kept spinning off, it was the worble socket that really made the difference for me anyway. I hope this can help somebody I know I was pretty happy when I finally figured out the setup to get it done.

[Grim Reaper]

^ Yep, all I had to use was a regular 3/8 ratchet, a 24 inch 3/8 locking extension and 3/8 impact swivel. Gets to the top bolt and gets em out in less than 5 minutes.

Real easy once you figure out how to thread it down through the network of hoses and stuff on the driver side. I've done 3 sets of motor mounts now on 540s and it took about 45 minutes on the first one to figure out this is the proper tool selection to get it done efficiently.

[KyleCleveland]

Don't forget to put some tape on your extensions before you drop them down next to your engine. The wiring on the back of the alternator goes right next to your extension.

Ask me how I know.

[lovinlyfe4dub]

gotta love the fixed vibration and clunking.:redspot

[Binjammin]

Don't forget to put some tape on your extensions before you drop them down next to your engine. The wiring on the back of the alternator goes right next to your extension.

Ask me how I know.


How do you know? :shifty

Also, a handy tip if you're using a universal socket or swivel is to wrap it fairly tightly in a few passes of electrical tape. You'll be able to flex the swivel into the position you need, and it will stay in place.

[KyleCleveland]

How do you know? :shifty

Nearly welded my extension to the engine when I touched the wires.

[jimoreno]

Yep, I also had 'sparks flying' when I changed mine but it wasn't that bad! I actually bought a scket from Sears that has a flexible in it and it proved perfect for this! I also used a trick that I learned from my dad by putting a piece of paper towel over the nut and then pushing it in the socket is held firmly in place until you thread it and are able to pull the socket off.

[Evole]

I also used a trick that I learned from my dad by putting a piece of paper towel over the nut and then pushing it in the socket is held firmly in place until you thread it and are able to pull the socket off.

That's a good one!

[h2oyo]

I always disconnect the battery when I'm working on the motor its is simple and makes me feel safer. Bin thanks for the tip about the electrical tape, I dont believe I will be using regular sockets again. The worble sockets are the greatest thing since sliced bread to me anyway lol. Like I said I dont guess to many people would think this much of an accomplishment but man until you figure out the just right way to access that top bolt its is a real mind bender lol. I took the car out for drive this morning. It feels like a totally different car. It is so smooth. I also changed out the throttle cable yesterday. Wow that made a big difference too. The gas pedal is so smooth and soft now lol, my mind is wondering lol. Ok anyway the car is an absolute joy to cruise. I'm thinking the next job will be tie rods ends, center link or something in that area to help with the very small wonder the car seems to have but only on the city streets on the highway it drives great. Have a great Sunday.
Johan

[NoBummers]

Used 2 ujoints and 3 extensions of varying lengths to get to the drivers side top motor mount nut. The best part was that with 2 joints, I could reach both the nut with one hand and the socket handle with the other while under the car (yes i did it without a helper which probably added an hour to the job).

had a hard time getting the nut threaded back on the new driver's mount, even trying the paper trick. But eventually did it with a magnetic pickup tool holding the nut in place and getting one or two fingers around the sides of it to get it started.

Now need to figure out how to align the passenger side mount. Both of the existing mounts were busted, but for some reason the driver's side was aligned perfectly, the passenger side was off by about 2" (motor sits about 2" back)

Any thoughts before I take it in to garage? Was looking for a place I could "push" the engine up a couple inches on the right side, but couldn't easily find a position to leverage a crowbar or other tool...

[h2oyo]

How are your transmission mounts? I had a little issue with the passengers side as it seemed to need to be pushed in towards the oil pan a little to get it lined up. I mounted the two lower nuts first. Left them loose and slowly lowered the motor till it just touched the top stud. then I was able to wriggle the motor around a bit till it dropped on. If your is like you say and about 2 inches back you must have a broken transmission mount or something.

[NoBummers]

Seems the previous owner had the mount in the wrong bolt-holes for the bottom two bolts (guess it doesnt matter when the whole thing is busted anyway). Re-aligned it to 2 closer holes and it slid right on.

[boostkiller]

i just did all my motor mounts now starting on oil pan gasket,diff gaskets,tranny gasket,axles i kinda hate bmw's such a fucking pain

[Husky]

i just did all my motor mounts now starting on oil pan gasket,diff gaskets,tranny gasket,axles i kinda hate bmw's such a fucking pain

Man, that list sounds like it would be a pain on just about anything.