Buy Mitsubishi Eclipse Engine Mounts

Engine mounts are vibration isolators made of molded rubber bonded to steel plates. The rubber flexes like a shock absorber to block engine shake from reaching the frame and passenger area. Modern designs sometimes fill the rubber with liquid or switch to polyurethane for extra strength. (Wikipedia)

A 4-mount system is used on every 1995-2012 Eclipse: front (under the radiator support), rear (near the firewall), driver-side "side" mount, and passenger-side "transmission" mount. (club4g.org) Each works together, so a failed mount can overload the rest.

By holding the engine steady, mounts prevent metal-to-metal knock, keep CV joints aligned, and let sensors read accurately. In steady cruise you may not notice them, but under throttle they limit fore-aft rocking that can strain exhaust flex joints and axles. (YouTube)

• Steering-wheel or seat vibration at idle or during acceleration. (Firestone Complete Auto Care)
• Loud thumps or "clunks" when shifting gears or hitting bumps. (Club3G)
• Engine visibly tilts when the throttle is blipped in Park. (YouTube)
• Torn rubber or leaking fluid (on hydraulic mounts) on inspection. (GMT Rubber)

Heat, oil leaks, and age dry out the rubber. After about 8-10 years or roughly 100 k miles, most factory mounts on similar midsize cars start to sag or crack. (Reddit) Aggressive driving and modified engines speed up the process.

Driving with a broken mount increases cabin vibration, can let the engine hit the subframe, and may stress the transmission case or exhaust manifold. Extreme cases can damage wiring or cooling hoses and raise the chance of costly repairs. (JustAnswer)

DIYers usually support the drivetrain with a floor jack and wood block, remove the mount bolts, swap the insulator, then torque everything to spec. Always change one mount at a time and start bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading. A visual walk-through video shows an easy front-mount swap on a 2G Eclipse. (YouTube)

Factory service data lists 36 ± 6 N·m (27 ± 4 ft-lb) for the engine-mounting stay bolts and 45 ± 5 N·m (34 ± 3 ft-lb) for the support-bracket bolts on a 3.8 L Eclipse. (Tearstone) Second-generation 4G63/4G64 models use similar figures per the 1997-1998 manual. (DSMtuners.com)

Typical shop quotes run $195-$233 total, with $82-$120 for labor and about $113 in parts for one mount, not counting taxes. (RepairPal.com) Experienced techs usually finish a single mount in under an hour; all four may take two to three hours.

• Rubber (OEM-style): Best ride comfort, lowest vibration, moderate lifespan.
• Polyurethane inserts: Firmer, withstand oil, reduce wheel-hop, but add noticeable buzz at idle. (poly-tek.com, Reddit)
• Solid or billet mounts: Track-only; transmit a lot of noise.

Aftermarket insert kits slide into the stock housing and stiffen the mount without full removal, useful for mild power builds. (torquesolution.com) Complete replacement kits let tuners pick bushing hardness to match horsepower goals. (Innovative Mounts)

• Inspect mounts whenever you change oil-look for cracks or oil-soaked rubber.
• Replace leaky valve-cover or power-steering lines quickly; oil softens rubber.
• Use smooth clutch or throttle inputs; harsh launches twist mounts harder.
• Check torque after major engine work to keep bolts from backing out.

Most power-train warranties (5 yr / 60 k mi on many brands) treat mounts as wear items, so they're often not covered after the bumper-to-bumper term. (Reddit)

Engine-mount kits are sold by "generation" and engine code:

• 2G DSM (1995-1999) 4G63/4G64 manual and auto variants. (DSMtuners.com)
• 3G (2000-2005) 2.4 L & 3.0 L with distinct front- and trans-side parts.
• 4G (2006-2012) 2.4 L & 3.8 L hydraulic mounts in some trims. Check fit notes carefully before ordering.

Q: What does a motor mount actually do?
A: It bolts the engine to the frame and uses rubber to soak up vibration so you feel fewer shakes while driving. (Wikipedia)

Q: How many mounts are on my Mitsubishi Eclipse?
A: Four-front, rear, driver-side, and passenger-side. (club4g.org)

Q: Can I drive with a bad mount?
A: Short trips are possible, but extra vibration can wear other parts and even damage the transmission if the engine shifts too much. (Firestone Complete Auto Care, JustAnswer)

Q: What noises point to a failed mount?
A: Look for thumps on acceleration or when shifting, plus steady buzzing at idle. (Club3G)

Q: How long do factory mounts last?
A: About 8-10 years or 100 k miles on average, depending on driving style. (Reddit)

Q: Do polyurethane mounts make the car shake more?
A: Yes-they're stiffer, so expect more vibration, especially when the engine idles. (Reddit)

Q: Will a broken mount ruin my engine?
A: Severe failures can let the engine collide with other parts, but total engine drop is rare-mount brackets act as a fail-safe. (AutoWerks)

Q: How much should I budget for replacement?
A: A single mount averages $200-$250 installed, while replacing all four can climb past $600. (RepairPal.com)

Q: Do I need an alignment afterward?
A: No, engine mounts don't affect wheel angles, though fresh mounts can reduce steering-wheel shake that feels like a balance issue.

Q: Are mounts covered under warranty?
A: Usually not after the bumper-to-bumper period; they're considered wear items. (Reddit)

Q: What torque should I use when tightening?
A: Follow the factory spec-around 36 N·m for stay bolts and 45 N·m for bracket bolts on 3.8 L models. (Tearstone)

With these fundamentals, your visitors can spot a failing motor mount early, choose the right replacement, and understand why a healthy mount keeps the Mitsubishi Eclipse smooth and safe.