Warning: Do not place any part of your body under the engine while it is being worked on if it is supported only by a jack. Failure of the jack may result in injury.
Note: Replacing the gearbox mount is described in Chapter 7.
Examination
1. The engine mount can be inspected without removing it from the vehicle.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on stands
4. Place the jack under the engine, use a wooden block to protect the oil pan.
5. Raise the engine slightly to relieve the engine mount. Check the mount for cracks and delamination. Sometimes the rubber will burst right in the center. Replace if necessary.
6. Shock absorbers should be replaced if they are leaking, bent or otherwise damaged.
Warning: If you remove the self-locking nuts, replace them only with new ones.
Replacing shock absorbers
3.0L Engine - Right Side
7. Remove the bolt that connects the lower end of the shock absorber to the engine bracket (see figure).
8. Unscrew the bolts securing the upper shock absorber bracket.
9. Remove the engine shock absorber.
10. Position the lower shock absorber bushing coaxially (in line) with the notch on the engine bracket. Secure it with a new bolt.
11. Connect the upper engine shock absorber bracket to the suspension bracket, secure with new bolts.
12. Tighten fasteners to specification torque.
3.0L Engine - Left Side
13. Remove the speed control system if the vehicle is equipped with one.
14. Remove the bolt and flag nut that connect the lower end of the shock absorber to the support bracket (see figure).
15. Unscrew the bolts securing the upper shock absorber bracket to the side bracket.
16. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
17. Install the lower end of the shock absorber into the engine mount bracket, making sure that the groove in the shock absorber bushing aligns with the notch on the bracket.
18. Screw the bolt into the bracket and shock absorber. Screw on a new flag nut.
Note: The bolt must be screwed in with the head facing the engine.
19. Pull the shock absorber into position against the side guide bracket. Secure with three new bolts.
20. Tighten fasteners to specification torque.
21. Install a speed control system (if available).
Engine mount replacement
For 3.0L engines - front and rear
22. Unscrew the lower shock absorber bolt on the right side of the engine (see Figure 16.7).
23. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on stands.
24. Place the jack under the oil pan. To distribute the weight evenly, place a wooden block between the jack and the pan.
25. Unscrew the nuts securing the engine mount to the lower frame (see figure).
26. Raise the engine with a jack to remove the load from the supports.
27. Unscrew the through bolts (see figure) and remove the suspension from the vehicle.
28. Attach the new mount to the engine brackets with two through bolts.
29. Lower the engine into place.
30. Tighten the engine mounting nuts to the frame.
31. Tighten the fasteners to the required torque value.
Front Engine Mount 3.8L
32. On models equipped with air conditioning, remove and set aside the air conditioning compressor (chapter 3), without disconnecting the pipelines.
33. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on stands.
34. Unscrew the nut connecting the engine mount to the air conditioner bracket (see figure).
35. Temporarily attach the A/C compressor to its bracket with the two lower bolts.
36. Install the engine on the jack using a wooden spacer under the oil pan.
37. Unscrew the nuts connecting the engine mount and the lower frame.
38. Jack up the engine enough to remove its weight from the suspension mounts.
39. Remove the suspension from the vehicle.
40. Remove the heat shield from the suspension.
41. Installation is carried out in the reverse order. Do not forget to tighten the fasteners to the torque values specified in the specification.
Rear Engine Mount 3.8L
42. Raise the vehicle and securely support it on stands.
43. Unscrew the nuts securing the engine mount to the lower frame.
44. Remove the front and rear exhaust manifold and ball joint mounting bolts. Remove the catalytic converter (chapter 6).
45. Remove the stands, lower the car.
46. Use a support beam (Ford D79P - 6000 - B or equivalent) to support the engine. Install a hook on the generator bracket. Raise the engine approximately one inch.
47. Loosen the rear engine mount nut to the heat shield assembly (see illustration).
48. Raise the vehicle and secure it on stands.
49. Loosen the 4 lower frame mounting bolts.
50. Unscrew the rear engine mount nut. Remove the rear mount.
For all engines
51. Install the suspension and screw the upper stud and locking pin onto the transmission support bracket. Hand tighten the lower nut.
52. Tighten the 4 lower frame bolts to the specified torque (see chapter 7).
53. Remove the struts and lower the vehicle.
54. Tighten the upper nut on the rear suspension.
55. Lower the engine, remove the support beam.
56. Raise the car and secure it on stands.
57. Install the catalytic converter.
58. Tighten the engine mount nuts to the specified torque value.