N54 Motor mount talk

[dsocold]

I searched and searched and i found the pelican diy and it wasnt so informative so i kept searching and found another thread but it looked like the guy took some extra steps that werent needed and theres really not much diy info on motor mounts so..

My question is how is the best way to perform this DIY if anyone can chime in that would be great the info in particular i want to know is does the power steering rack need to be removed and does the intercooler need to be removed. Im also curious do you remove the engine suport brackets to make it easier basically whats the best and easiest method of accessing them since im gonna tackle this install this weekend and i want as much info as i can get.

[Mybimmer]

There's not a lot of room to get at engine mounts. The best way is to drop the sub frame. while you are there if the oil pan gasket is seeping I'd be doing that as well. the steering rack will have to be removed to get the sub frame down far enough for a pan gasket change. You may not need to remove the rack for engine mounts change. The intercooler probably does not need to be removed. The radiator fan probably will need to be removed.

You will require an engine support bar to complete this job. https://www.amazon.com/Dragway-Tools.../dp/B004UC6NLE

A wheel front alignment should be preformed after the work is complete.

[AndyW]

YMMV but I did the drivers side myself with a jack under the center engine lift point and think I only disconnected the lower FMIC connection. For the drivers side, I had it done in conjunction with DP install (you need the room) - thx cwarren! . He used an engine support bar, as discussed and IIRC he did disconnect the steering rack. Remember that you always have to loosen the opposite top nut almost all the way to get a side on, regardless. Good luck.

[dsocold]

Originally Posted by AndyW

YMMV but I did the drivers side myself with a jack under the center engine lift point and think I only disconnected the lower FMIC connection. For the drivers side, I had it done in conjunction with DP install (you need the room) - thx cwarren! . He used an engine support bar, as discussed and IIRC he did disconnect the steering rack. Remember that you always have to loosen the opposite top nut almost all the way to get a side on, regardless. Good luck.

so for the drivers side you removed it by only removing part of the intercooler piping? and the passenger side after the downpipes are removed and steering rack out the way do you still need to lower the subframe to get them out.
The engine support bar im guessing is a definite must have especially if you need to remove the subframe

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by dsocold

so for the drivers side you removed it by only removing part of the intercooler piping? and the passenger side after the downpipes are removed and steering rack out the way do you still need to lower the subframe to get them out.
The engine support bar im guessing is a definite must have especially if you need to remove the subframe

Sorry I was not clear...no subframe removal. You still need the support bar or jack to support the engine and lift it high enough to get the mounts out. On the drivers side it was impossible to do so (all the coolant hoses and wires don't have enough slack) without removing the DP's. The point was that it can be done without removing the subframe.

Now you have me doubting myself... cwarren , we didn't drop the subframe, correct?