Are aftermarket (non OEM) motor/tranny mounts available?s
#1
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Are aftermarket (non OEM) motor/tranny mounts available?s
Lot's of threads here concerning motor and transmission mounts. I've searched most of these and can't find an answer.
So, the question is... Has anyone found an aftermarket brand of replacement mounts that will hold up better?
So, the question is... Has anyone found an aftermarket brand of replacement mounts that will hold up better?
#2
I would say Yes since Pelican Parts carries both Lemforder as well as Mercedes mounts with the former being about $60 cheaper. I've used Lemforder suspension parts before and they were of great quality.
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#4
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition 4x4
Lemforder undoubtedly makes the Mercedes mounts, and ones sold under their own brand name are likely identical to the ones with the tristar on them.
#6
I ordered Corteco for '11 E350 4M wagon, as the only other option as Genuine Mercedes (OE). Apparently Lemforder makes a mount, but it doesn't seem to be carried by any parts houses here in the states. For the '11 E550 4M sedan, the only option was Genuine Mercedes (OE). Corteco or Lemforder didn't offer a mount.
I didn't see a stamped star on the E350 mounts and looking at the replacement E550 mounts (OE) there isn't one either. The only star is on a label, stuck to the underside of the mount. Unfortunately I tossed the E350 mounts, but I also recall similar stampings on the aluminum base. Though that might only indicate they get the base from the same supplier, if they don't make it in-house. They appeared identical, down to the blue paint strip on top.
I'm doing the E550 mounts shortly, so I'll take a better look. My understanding is Lemforder does make OE parts (as witness when certain parts have their "star" ground off), whereas Corteco makes high-quality OEM replacement parts for many euros.
I didn't see a stamped star on the E350 mounts and looking at the replacement E550 mounts (OE) there isn't one either. The only star is on a label, stuck to the underside of the mount. Unfortunately I tossed the E350 mounts, but I also recall similar stampings on the aluminum base. Though that might only indicate they get the base from the same supplier, if they don't make it in-house. They appeared identical, down to the blue paint strip on top.
I'm doing the E550 mounts shortly, so I'll take a better look. My understanding is Lemforder does make OE parts (as witness when certain parts have their "star" ground off), whereas Corteco makes high-quality OEM replacement parts for many euros.
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pierrejoliat (01-15-2021)
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#8
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2016 E350 Sport
Well, the mounts on my (almost) 20 year-old C320 are the original mounts, so something has changed that makes the mounts on the W212-W213s give up the ghost in 1/4 of the time. (The transmission mount on my E350 was changed after 4 years, 27,000 miles.)
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
#9
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Well, the mounts on my (almost) 20 year-old C320 are the original mounts, so something has changed that makes the mounts on the W212-W213s give up the ghost in 1/4 of the time. (The transmission mount on my E350 was changed after 4 years, 27,000 miles.)
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
Last edited by Left Coast Geek; 01-15-2021 at 11:04 PM.
#10
I thought the W212's mounts were hydraulic? I don't recall that being the case for my W203 which never needed engine mounts in 150,000 miles but did need a transmission mount.
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pierrejoliat (01-16-2021)
#11
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Left Coast Geek
I dunno, but the E350 has half again more HP of my 25 year old E320 (305 vs 220)
Plain old solid rubber works for me. Think about the millions upon millions of vehicles on the planet with solid rubber mounts that never fail... Your average Cadillac land barge wallows around on motor mounts made of Jello, but I've never heard of those going bad, either.
Last edited by DFWdude; 01-16-2021 at 07:52 AM.
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#12
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From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Tranny mounts are consumable for me, they are nice n soft and dont last long for the way I drive ( gear change )
So easy to replace DIY, cost me US$130 parts only.
From my log book...........
Left one is 1st time change at 10,773KM when at 24,000KM or 13,227KM old. Right one is the new one zero KM.
Since the transmission is supported by a wooden block and a jack when trans-mount removed, placing a new one will show, how much sagging occurred on the old one.
Below showed when old trans-mount installed and the new one installed. See the top air gap distance, that also showed how sagged the old mount was.
The above trans mount change is part of my current investigation on some minor unique vibration (not tire out of balance type vibration ) I am having at the moment at 160KM/H.
What triggered me to change it is this video :
Left image is the video and right image is my 1st time trans mount change in 2018.
Looking at the size of the rubber molded on this trans-mount, that is a comfort mount and not a longevity one and I agree with Left Coast Greek, the more powerful your engine is ( and kick down itchy right leg forcing into 1st gear often), the faster the mount should sag.
Overall I am happy to discover that after a mere 13,227KM of which 20 laps of track use in those mileage, my trans-mount sagged approx 4mm.
Now I know 17,000 - 20,000KM and of zero track use would be my suitable change interval to enjoy the mount.
Actually 17-20K KM is the same life as one of my long time ago small Toyota front wheel drive hatchback I drove very rough from day 1 to sold date,
but at those mileage the trans + engine mounts ( all 3, I think it was 3 and not 4 ) already made the typical "clunk noise" when doing sudden high RPM down shift.
Clutch push/release bearing gone too at every 20K KM , so I replaced complete clutch set per 20K KM
So easy to replace DIY, cost me US$130 parts only.
From my log book...........
Left one is 1st time change at 10,773KM when at 24,000KM or 13,227KM old. Right one is the new one zero KM.
Since the transmission is supported by a wooden block and a jack when trans-mount removed, placing a new one will show, how much sagging occurred on the old one.
Below showed when old trans-mount installed and the new one installed. See the top air gap distance, that also showed how sagged the old mount was.
The above trans mount change is part of my current investigation on some minor unique vibration (not tire out of balance type vibration ) I am having at the moment at 160KM/H.
What triggered me to change it is this video :
Left image is the video and right image is my 1st time trans mount change in 2018.
Looking at the size of the rubber molded on this trans-mount, that is a comfort mount and not a longevity one and I agree with Left Coast Greek, the more powerful your engine is ( and kick down itchy right leg forcing into 1st gear often), the faster the mount should sag.
Overall I am happy to discover that after a mere 13,227KM of which 20 laps of track use in those mileage, my trans-mount sagged approx 4mm.
Now I know 17,000 - 20,000KM and of zero track use would be my suitable change interval to enjoy the mount.
Actually 17-20K KM is the same life as one of my long time ago small Toyota front wheel drive hatchback I drove very rough from day 1 to sold date,
but at those mileage the trans + engine mounts ( all 3, I think it was 3 and not 4 ) already made the typical "clunk noise" when doing sudden high RPM down shift.
Clutch push/release bearing gone too at every 20K KM , so I replaced complete clutch set per 20K KM
Last edited by S-Prihadi; 01-16-2021 at 08:12 AM. Reason: typo
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pierrejoliat (01-16-2021)
#13
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2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
I forgot to add.
Did the trans mount change solved my minor vibration issue ? NOPE. Helps a tiny bit but it was not the REAL culprit.
Did the trans mount change solved my minor vibration issue ? NOPE. Helps a tiny bit but it was not the REAL culprit.
#14
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2016 E350 Sport
#16
Well, the mounts on my (almost) 20 year-old C320 are the original mounts, so something has changed that makes the mounts on the W212-W213s give up the ghost in 1/4 of the time. (The transmission mount on my E350 was changed after 4 years, 27,000 miles.)
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
Changing motor/transmission mounts every 3-4 years holds zero appeal to me. If someone has tried an aftermarket solution that lasts longer, I would certainly consider them.
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pierrejoliat (01-16-2021)
#17
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Me? I've used "S" mode maybe five times in the nearly 3 years I've owned the car. So, no...
The dealer replaced it without any complaint from me. Maybe they just needed to bill MBUSA for a warranty claim.
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pierrejoliat (01-16-2021)
#18
Oh I was talking to @S-Prihadi in terms of excess wear to the mounts.
#19
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2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Oh I was talking to @S-Prihadi in terms of excess wear to the mounts.
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#20
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2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition 4x4
i remember for a few years my 89 jetta went through its front main engine mount annually. about 40k miles of hard driving. the large complex fluid filled mount wasn't that cheap but it was easy to replace.
#22
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#23
I cut open the OE mount off a '11 E550... definitely full of oil that spilled just as I finished cutting it open. I didn't expect to see a valving inside (last two images). Interesting design and I can see two failure modes. First, a rupture of the rubber diaphragm at the bottom (black rubber disk) that would lead to fluid leaking out. Second, sagging of main rubber element which "grounds" out the mount and transmits more vibration into chassis.
In my case, there was no visible fluid loss and the mount I cut open had plenty. What was evident, the mount was close to being fully collapsed and I guarantee the engine weight surely did...
In my case, there was no visible fluid loss and the mount I cut open had plenty. What was evident, the mount was close to being fully collapsed and I guarantee the engine weight surely did...
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#25
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From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
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