99 blazer, left motor mount replacement

[skooterbum]

my blazer needs a new motor mount on the left side. the shop quoted me $275 "P & L" to do it. what is involved to change this thing ?? i am hoping i can do this myself, as long as i don't have to take half the engine apart.

[old_master]

It's a pretty serious job when the vehicle is on a hoist. I wouldn't even consider it without one. Not a whole lot of room to work and it does require an experienced contortionist. It must be unbolted from the bracket and the engine, AND the frame bracket must be unbolted. Then simultaneously, fanagle the mount and the bracket out, not a fun job.

[skooterbum]

hey old master, that's what i was afraid i was going to hear. my haynes manual really doesn't touch the process of replacing the mount. my local shop mentioned that the steering shaft in the engine compartment had to be removed to gain access to it. i can't even see the mount from the top side of the engine compartment either. i concluded that it was buried under everything. if an old fart like me, that is not in the best physical shape, was to get the vehicle off the ground as high as possible on jack stands, took a couple days to do the job, would it be possible ?? i have sunk $1,000 into this thing over the last few months and am having a hard time thinking about another $275. if i was to drop the Y pipe of the exhaust, wouldn't that help to get access to the mount ??

[old_master]

The more stuff you remove, the easier it is to get at it. The main problem with doing it on jack stands is the engine needs to be jacked up and then the jack is right in the way. That's when the contortionist comes in handy. At least when it's on a hoist, you can position your body to a more comfortable and "workable" position. Then squint your eyes just so, hold your tongue just right, and let out a few choice words. Like I mentioned before, I wouldn't even consider it without a hoist, but I suppose it's possible without one. I'm an old fart myself, in pretty good shape, but I certainly wouldn't tackle it on stands, maybe 30 years ago, but not now Even if you follow the procedure straight from the GM "dealer issue" shop manual, it doesn't make it any easier to actually do the job.

[skooterbum]

thanks old master, for taking the time to offer your advice on this job. i am going to let the shop do it. after taking your advice into consideration, and running the process through my mind, my back, neck, and shoulders started hurting just thinking about it. it's hard to accept the fact that i am to old to do this work any more, but i guess we have to. i can see why my dad quit working on cars when he did. the pain over rules the satisfaction.

[skooterbum]

thanks old master, for taking the time to offer your advice on this job. i am going to let the shop do it. after taking your advice into consideration, and running the process through my mind, my back, neck, and shoulders started hurting just thinking about it. it's hard to accept the fact that i am to old to do this work any more, but i guess we have to. i can see why my dad quit working on cars when he did. the pain over rules the satisfaction.

[skooterbum]

thanks old master, for taking the time to offer your advice on this job. i am going to let the shop do it. after taking your advice into consideration, and running the process through my mind, my back, neck, and shoulders started hurting just thinking about it. it's hard to accept the fact that i am to old to do this work any more, but i guess we have to. i can see why my dad quit working on cars when he did. the pain over rules the satisfaction.

[old_master]

Originally Posted by skooterbum

.....I can see why my dad quit working on cars when he did. the pain over rules the satisfaction.

I've been doing it professionally for just shy of 40 years.... I couldn't say it better myself.