how do you check for a loose motor mount?

Answer 1

The easy-fast way on a front drive car is to open hood, grab front bumper or other solid front body or frame part, and rock the vehicle forward and backward in park(eng off), and see where the slop is. Don't go too nuts or the hood may come down on your noggin.

Answer 2

Put the car in park and rock it forwards and backwards. If the moves a lot, the mount is loose. Have someone rev the engine, and if the engine moves a lot in any direction, it's could be loose. DANGEROUS: Have someone keep their foot on the brakes and put the car in drive with your hood open. Have them give it a little gas, make sure you stay clear. Again, check for abnormal movement. These methods only work if the mount is really loose. You can also go over bumps and listen for very small abnormal noises. It will be a rapid rattling.

The only way to check other than by pure feel of how the car drives, is by physical inspection of the mounts and bolts.

Answer 3

Open the hood of the car.....Don't get run over! Be careful! Have someone look at the engine and put it in gear with their left foot on the brake,and right foot on the gas, rev the engine a few times. The motor will rock forward. look and see which motor mount moved the most. If it's not blatantly obvious have them put the car in reverse and do the same thing. It will be obvious by this point if they are bad.
The engine will rock in both directions if they are good. But will rock dramatically if they are bad.

Answer 4

1. Lift car on stands - BE VERY CAREFUL
2. use a large pry bar or 2x4 to wedge between engine and frame
3. Have a friend feel or observe whether engine moves when leveraged.