99 Intrigue Transmission Mount

[EIntrigue]

I need to replace the broken/cracked transmission mount on my 99 Intrigue 3.5L.

I have purchased the Chilton manual which goes into great detail on how to remove the engine, but not simply replace the mount. I know I don't ever want to remove the engine.

The mount is located on the between the engine and the radiator, directly below the exhaust manifold. It appears to be very difficult to reach the nuts and mounting bolts to loosen it.

Does anyone of insight on how to perform this repair.

[busboy4]

Hi
I have a '99 OEM manual and the transmission mounts do not match your description. There is one on the subframe inboard of the left front tire, and then a transaxle support on the right rear near the rear engine mount.

So I think you might mean the front engine mount/ mount bracket (probably the cracked part).
O.k.....says here

-remove the engine mount strut - on top of radiator, clearly visible
-install engine support fixture- fancy under hood arrangement. You would need to improvise. Probably jack underneath (be very careful where)
-remove upper engine mount bolts (2 coming up from rubber bushing)
-raise engine to clear the bolt tops
-remove four bolts holding engine mount bracket to engine block

-replace bracket and bolts
-lower engine
-replace mount bolts
-replace engine mount strut

Bracket torque is 43 ft-lb
mount nut torque is 35 ft-lb

Good luck

[EIntrigue]

Thanks for the reply

Are you talking about the 3.5L?

What you are describing is quite different than my situation. I do have the chilton book with a diagram of the engine showing the front engine mount (transmission mount) and it is fairly accurate. I have been calling it the transmission mount, becuase this is what the autoparts stores call it.

There are four bolts holding the bracket to the engine. Two studs attach the mount to the bracket. Two more studs attached the mount to the subframe.

I worked for awhile this last weekend trying to access the mount. I was able to reach 3 out of the 4 bolts bracket bolts (attached to engine) by removing the cooling fan assembly from the radiator. It was very tight quarters but I got in. Unfortunately the 4th bolt is behind the exhaust manifold. I can't get to it. The two nuts attached to the studs on the bottom of the subframe are not a problem. My last thoughts are a new plan of attack whereby I come in from the passenger side of the vehicle. This means I must remove the battery, battery tray, cooling fan assembly, thermostat housing and alternator. I am not sure I want to go through all this without knowing this is the right approach ahead of time.

I hope you may have some more ideas.

[busboy4]

Hi
Sorry if that doesn't seem like your machine. I did read the info. for the 3.5L in the Olds factory manual for '99. I do not have any experience with the job as I have not done it. It does sound like we are talking about the same thing however - 4 bolts to hold bracket (1 you cannot reach unfortunately), then two upper bolts to hold the mount to the bracket, two below to hold the mount to the frame. Your description matches the picture.

Hope you work it out.

[kmohr3]

I have the 2002 Helm (Factory) manual. Basically, the procedure says to remove the radiator cooling fan assembly, front exhaust manifold heat shield, 2 upper mount bolts, raise engine with GM fixture, remove 2 lower mount bolts, and remove mount.

So apparently you do not have to remove the upper bracket from the engine, just raise the engine enough to clear the studs on the mount.

Also it doesn't mention taking the upper mount strut (dog bone) off, but that would be pretty easy and might not be a bad idea.

[kmohr3]

BTW, how did it get broken? Or is it just leaking fluid? (I'm not sure but I'm assuming it's a hydraulic mount).

[EIntrigue]

Originally Posted by kmohr3

BTW, how did it get broken? Or is it just leaking fluid? (I'm not sure but I'm assuming it's a hydraulic mount).

The mount is cracked, but not leaking. The car feels funny sometimes when it shifts and I don’t believe that it is the transmission itself. The car does not slip or have trouble shifting. Transmission fluid looks good. Also, if I put one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas, the engine moves more than I think it should front to back. The back motor mounts don’t look cracked. (When I refer to front and back, I am doing this in relation to the front and back of the car.)

If I raise the engine, I don’t have a GM Fixture. Can I do this with a solid piece of lumber on the oil pan? I figure that I would need to raise the engine about 1_1/2” to clear the bottom studs of the mount. However, I question at 1-1/2” if I can swing the bottom of the mount enough to clear the top studs of the mount. They stick out 1_1/2” as well. According to my Chilton Manual I need to disconnect all kinds of things before raising the engine. Can I simply raise the engine with just removing the dog bone and four nuts from the four studs on the transmission mount? Do I need to remove the nuts from the rear engine mount as well?

Thanks guys!

[kmohr3]

I've never done the job, but I would think that lifting the motor with a floor jack and piece of lumber would probably be safe. I would take off the dog-bone, and cooling fans (maybe the air intake boot??) and try to lift the engine enough to clear the studs. The factory manual didn't mention taking off much more than that. I'd try to keep an eye on the wiring and hoses and stuff just to make sure that you're not damaging anything. Good luck and let us know how this job goes.

[busboy4]

HI
I would use a piece of wood and your jack to lift the engine, but I would not use the oil pan as the lift point. I have heard of people damaging it. I did a job on my mini van and lifted by using a 2X4 on end an pushing up at the point where the oil pan meets the block and I did not damage anything. Be sure and try to safety it with additional lumber or something other than just the jack while your hands are in there. For that I wouldn't hesitate to use the oil pan since it will only have the weight in an emergency.

[willieray3]

Originally Posted by EIntrigue

I need to replace the broken/cracked transmission mount on my 99 Intrigue 3.5L.

I have purchased the Chilton manual which goes into great detail on how to remove the engine, but not simply replace the mount. I know I don't ever want to remove the engine.

The mount is located on the between the engine and the radiator, directly below the exhaust manifold. It appears to be very difficult to reach the nuts and mounting bolts to loosen it.

Does anyone of insight on how to perform this repair.

I have the same problem on my 99 intrigue with 3.5 I tried all day trying to get the top nut off the mount did you get yours done? if so I could use some advice. thanks

[panzer dragoon]

is this the piece.

[willieray3]

not for me, that is the actual transmission mount the one I need to replace is the one in the front of the car on the lower part of the engine it has 1 bolt to the engine and 2 bolts to the frame, I called Murrays, Autozone, Napa, and Advance auto, none of them carry or can order it, the dealer wants $125.00 and it will take 3 days to get it. does anyone know of a place to get it cheaper?

[panzer dragoon]

gmpartsdirect.com

-I did not see it at RockAuto.com

[willieray3]

Does anyone have a diagram for the front lower engine mount for a 99 intrigue with a 3.5? thanks