School me on motor mounts for the 3.0

[slosurfer]

So I think one of my motor mounts may be on its way out on the 4runner. Recently, at certain times, it seems my fan is hitting the radiator shroud. I can't get it to do it in the driveway by just revving the engine, but it is definately doing it sometimes. I can see the little black mark on the fan and the spot on the lower passenger side of the shroud. I'm guessing it's one or both of my motor mounts as that's all I can think of that would allow that, but I haven't got under there to check them.

Any other ideas on what could cause this intermittent problem?

What's the best way to test the motor mounts?

If the motor mounts are bad, should I just get replace them with stock oem ones or are there beefier ones out there for the 3.0? I have to be honest, I know virtually nothing about motor mounts. :)

[CJM]

Take a prybar and try and push/pry the motor mounts. They should have some play but not much.

Also can get outside the truck and rev the engine and watch for movement or with 2 people, one powerbrakes in both D and R and one watches the motor for movement.

Fan clutch could be bad, causing it to wobble and hit shround too.

[slosurfer]

I'll check the fan clutch but I doubt it's that. The only way it could do that is with loose bolts and more than likely it wouldn't be intermittent and I would have noticed it wobbling when I had the hood up. I'll double check it though.

I already tried watching it with the hood up and doing the throttle by hand on the throttle body. Didn't seem to move too much and never hit the shroud. I'll get under there with the pry bar today.

[strykersd]

http://trail-gear.com/mounts.html
They're website doesn't say which engine they fit, but I've been hoping to convert to these when I have the money.

[Marc P]

My tranny mount went out first and took the right motor mount out. My main pulley was rubbing on the motor to my Taurus fan.

I replaced them all with OEM mounts. I had to have the motor mounts done at my work as they are not easy....especially with the shock towers I have and the headers.

[slosurfer]

Marc, do you think it would have been doable yourself if those weren't in the way?

[Obi..]

Chris, please, don't rev it, lightly apply the gas, if they're not failed but close, it'll tear them out and then you're in worse shape, just change 'em out, it's overdue anyhow.

Also, they're the same setup as the 22re's, just change out the steel cup for yours and it'll work. they're easy enough to do. It is easier with an engine hoist though, as the right sides a little tight to work with. You have to pull the alternator, oil dipstick tube and air box on the left, and the power steering and battery on the right to have access to the stuff, get yourself a couple of wobble's and you should be ok.

Same as Marc, I went with OE. The heavy duty stuff transmits vibrations all through the frame and cabin, with a pickup it's one thing, but the 4Runner is a great space that echoes and amplifies it all IMHO. Figure they lasted you 16 years, right, why go overboard unless you're planning on jumping it a lot or doing a crawl box.

Also, as long as you're into the right side it would be a great time to also look at the starter contacts, etc.

[slosurfer]

I checked the fan clutch and it's fine, no wobbles, but in the process, I discovered that it might just be the lower part of the shroud looks like it's not on all the way on the lower passenger side and that's where it's hitting. I couldn't see/feel much from the top to see if it has merely worked loose or if something broke on it, so I'll have to pull the front skid and look/feel from the bottom.

I didn't pry on the motor mounts but checked them out from the wheel wells and they look pretty good, plus the other day I was revving it and the motor wasn't moving much. The way it's been intermittent and the fact that it hasn't always been while really on the gas, I think my mounts are good to go for now

[DHC6twinotter]

Chris, have you checked the bearing in the fan pulley bracket? When mine went out, it had a bit of play. Your belts would be squaking if the bearing did go out though...so maybe that's not your issue. Thought I'd mention it anyways. :hillbill:

[slosurfer]

yeah, there's no play there at all and no squeaking or anything. The lower shroud is definately not on correctly, and that's where it will hit from time to time. I just need to see if something broke on it or it just slid out some.