R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Installing Powerflex Complete Engine Bushing Set

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  #26  
Old 09-08-2013 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by m119114
ok, according to bills page it looks like you replace the old padded inserts on trans mount and put in the powerflex ones. But I am reading elsewhere they are in addition to. can someone please clarify as mine didnt come with instructions
They replace them. You can throw away the old ones when you put in the new ones.
 
  #27  
Old 09-08-2013 | 11:03 AM
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ok, because I keep reading it is hard to put back together and mine fit quite easily. Also, I read that they are inserts, they are in addition to existing setup. I just want to be 100% sure! Also, did you put fender washers on these?
 
  #28  
Old 09-08-2013 | 11:19 AM
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For the transmission mounts, you replace the old mounts. For the large lower motor mount, it is an insert that fits into the existing rubber. You'll know what to do with it when you see it.

EDIT: my phone is doing doiuble posts, and it's been difficult to post. I just edited the above to say the *motor* mount is the one that is the insert. But I'm not sure you are even doing that.
 

Last edited by christianmc; 09-08-2013 at 11:29 AM.
  #29  
Old 09-08-2013 | 11:27 AM
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For my transmission mounts, I also heard that it would be difficult to fit them and that it would need the lubricant. I used the libricant, but it wasn't hard to fit in at all, so I don't think anything is wrong.

Also, I didn't use any extra washers. I just inserted what came with it (or replaced, in the case of the transmission mounts)
 
  #30  
Old 09-08-2013 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Cease
Bently Manual calls for a 5/8" spark plug socket or a 16mm. I think they like the 5/8" spark plug socket because they have the rubber to hold the plug in place. NGK also states either can be used.

Only time I've seen a standard socket being called in the Bently Manual but I could be wrong.
16 mm and 5/8" are different by only 0.005" or 0.12 mm. Which is probably within the tolerance of the wrench and parts. This is one case where the different units line up.
 
  #31  
Old 09-08-2013 | 12:23 PM
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yes, thank you. Im doing lower motor mount now, just did the bushes for the damper on belt tensioner. Also just put in new water pump and oil change on the supercharger. Getting ready to put it back on the car. Have you changed your supercharger pulley? I have the craven puller tool I just am a little unsure how to use it. The bolt they send does fit in the SC pulley, and I was under the impression you pull out the old bolt and the puller one has to thread in. Any tips?
 
  #32  
Old 09-08-2013 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by m119114
yes, thank you. Im doing lower motor mount now, just did the bushes for the damper on belt tensioner. Also just put in new water pump and oil change on the supercharger. Getting ready to put it back on the car. Have you changed your supercharger pulley? I have the craven puller tool I just am a little unsure how to use it. The bolt they send does fit in the SC pulley, and I was under the impression you pull out the old bolt and the puller one has to thread in. Any tips?
I read once that the bolt which holds the ground strap to the right upper motor mount is the right size and thread pitch to screw into the hole on the end of the SC shaft.

You do need to screw something in there for the puller to have something to push against.

I'd probably go to a hardware store and get a hardened bolt to be sure... Less than $1.00
 
  #33  
Old 09-08-2013 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by m119114
The bolt they send does fit in the SC pulley, and I was under the impression you pull out the old bolt and the puller one has to thread in. Any tips?
Oh, I see. You got it. You need to screw that into the hole on the end of the SC shaft.... The puller needs something to push against
 
  #34  
Old 09-08-2013 | 02:58 PM
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o thats a typo, i meant the bolt they send does not fit the supercharger thread, its too big/wide. So I just srew in a screw, how far down? and then the bolt that I screw throught the top will hit that one? Sorry probably really obvious but i have never done this before.
 
  #35  
Old 09-08-2013 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by m119114
o thats a typo, i meant the bolt they send does not fit the supercharger thread, its too big/wide. So I just srew in a screw, how far down? and then the bolt that I screw throught the top will hit that one? Sorry probably really obvious but i have never done this before.
You should see this,... Pictures and everything about using the puller are detailed.

http://www.billswebspace.com/MCSPull...tTensioner.htm
 
  #36  
Old 09-10-2013 | 09:50 PM
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Thank you! I knew I had seen detailed info regarding the puller, I just read it before I had the thing. Yeah, it is a little different with the supercharger off the car little hard to keep it still and get leverage. I actually finally got it off last night, but i have to say it took all my arm strength to get that sucker off! Thank you for your replies, i have spend like a couple months researching this project and with no one around me who knows anything about cars i am so grateful for this site!
 
  #37  
Old 11-14-2013 | 06:43 PM
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upper motor mount question

Hey guys,

Hope you don't mind if I join in.

I decided to do an upper motor mount change because I had fluid leaking out.
I followed a diy thread and had no real issues: unscrewed the torx bolt, top bolt, and "u" shaped top mount that sits on top of the oem mount.

I had to jack up the motor slightly to get the alignment set.

Now I am getting noise while downshifting... Did I accidentally break something when jacking up the engine? Does it take a while to break in this new oem mount? I'm kinda scared I messed something up

Here's a video of the sound when downshifting.

 

Last edited by jskeith111; 11-14-2013 at 06:44 PM. Reason: wrong link to video
  #38  
Old 11-14-2013 | 07:02 PM
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Sounds like you messed up the exhaust heat shield -- hard to say from your video but its probably rubbing against your header or something. Take a look under the car..that kind of vibration sounds like metal on metal at certain resonances... try putting the car in neutral and bringing up the revs slowly to see if you can replicate it without downshifting.
 
  #39  
Old 11-14-2013 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Kahnfucious
Sounds like you messed up the exhaust heat shield -- hard to say from your video but its probably rubbing against your header or something. Take a look under the car..that kind of vibration sounds like metal on metal at certain resonances... try putting the car in neutral and bringing up the revs slowly to see if you can replicate it without downshifting.
I'll give it a try, would I be able to get to it from up top or just underneath?

I only jacked up the engine a few inches when changing the mount. I don't feel any vibration in the trans when downshifting, it's more of just a noise!

Thanks for the info
 
  #40  
Old 11-14-2013 | 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Kahnfucious
Sounds like you messed up the exhaust heat shield -- hard to say from your video but its probably rubbing against your header or something. Take a look under the car..that kind of vibration sounds like metal on metal at certain resonances... try putting the car in neutral and bringing up the revs slowly to see if you can replicate it without downshifting.
Oops read the wrong thing, yah I'll definitely have to get under it to check
 
  #41  
Old 11-15-2013 | 08:23 AM
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Thanks

Khanfucious, I love you. Bent back the heat shield that's directly over the header and WAHLAH! no vibration noise.

Thanks again
 
  #42  
Old 11-15-2013 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by jskeith111
Khanfucious, I love you. Bent back the heat shield that's directly over the header and WAHLAH! no vibration noise. Thanks again
No problem man..all about helping each other out. Glad it was easy and free fix
 
  #43  
Old 11-26-2013 | 08:56 AM
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Does anyone re-manufacture/re-use old mounts?
I replaced me top passenger engine mount and it really doesn't look too bad. Not much give in the rubber inside, it was just leaking.

I'd hate to just recycle this thing if I can get a few bucks for it.
 
  #44  
Old 11-26-2013 | 10:30 AM
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So how bad is the extra vibration from the harder mounts? I've getting ready to do this project on my R53 here in a few weeks....Powerflex engine bushing inserts, and transmission bushings.

For those of you who have done this.....do you wish you would have just went with stock mounts instead of using the Powerflex bushings?

Thanks!
 
  #45  
Old 11-30-2013 | 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by IQRaceworks
So how bad is the extra vibration from the harder mounts? I've getting ready to do this project on my R53 here in a few weeks....Powerflex engine bushing inserts, and transmission bushings.

For those of you who have done this.....do you wish you would have just went with stock mounts instead of using the Powerflex bushings?

Thanks!
Not at all. I have an '05 so all I put in was the lower engine mount (large yellow and small purple) and transmission mount (large yellow).(Powerflex doesn't make inserts for the upper engine mount on the '05 and '06 models). With just the mounts I put in, it noticeably reduced the engine rocking and made shifting more crisp and enjoyable, without much engine vibration. Even with the air on, I hardly notice it even at idle.

Not sure what it would be like with a replacement for the upper engine mount, but I am thinking of doing that, too.
 
  #46  
Old 11-30-2013 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by christianmc

Not at all. I have an '05 so all I put in was the lower engine mount (large yellow and small purple) and transmission mount (large yellow).(Powerflex doesn't make inserts for the upper engine mount on the '05 and '06 models). With just the mounts I put in, it noticeably reduced the engine rocking and made shifting more crisp and enjoyable, without much engine vibration. Even with the air on, I hardly notice it even at idle.

Not sure what it would be like with a replacement for the upper engine mount, but I am thinking of doing that, too.
Same here. The slight increase in vibration is only noticeable at idle. A little increase in vibration around 1000 rpm, totally gone by 1150. I imagine that that initial start, where the engine wants to flex -now that it can't the energy is directed more to the wheels, and some energy directed to the slight increase in vibration. I also think that when I get an ATI damper that will smooth it out a little. You will notice an increase in vibration, but only at idle.

Benefits far outweigh any cons. Shifts smoother. I was merging onto the freeway the other day (more aggressively than ususl) got to the top of 2nd gear near redline, grabbed 3rd gear, the tires chirped a little! Since the engine can't flex as much, the power deffinately makes it to the wheels better. I don't even have a pulley yet. Powerflex is deffinately a worthwhile mod in my opinion.

Install pretty easy. Pretty self explanatory. Billswebspace has a good write up on gear box mount. Search my posts for a photo of how to press the little end of passenger lower with a c-clamp and a couple of sockets.
 
  #47  
Old 11-30-2013 | 06:19 PM
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1/2 inch and 13 millimeter wrenches are a match.
 
  #48  
Old 02-25-2014 | 07:06 AM
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So, it seems most people here have experience with the powerflex bushings, and are happy with them... what I'm wondering is, does anyone have experience with the BSH lower engine mount replacement, as well as the TSW upper mount replacement?
(i have an early 03s)

The powerflex package for the 03 comes in at $156.00 shipped.
The BSH lower is $134 shipped.
The TSW upper is $160 shipped.

I would love to hear comparisons on these. With a difference of about $140... what are the pros/cons of each?
 
  #49  
Old 02-25-2014 | 07:28 AM
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As far as the Powerflex bushings go...I installed the entire kit on my 03' plus the trans mount bushings....and I love it! The car feels so much tighter and more solid. There is a little more vibration at idle, and when starting the car...but as soon as you get the rpms up a little, it completely goes away and is smooth as silk. It feels like a brand new car!!!

Just install the powerflex bushings in the stock motor mounts ....they work great!!
 

Last edited by IQRaceworks; 02-25-2014 at 07:35 AM.
  #50  
Old 02-25-2014 | 07:38 AM
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for the lower mount, you can also get just inserts, or make your own.
here is a set for a decent price, im about to pull the trigger on these i think...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221379079205...84.m1423.l2649

others have taken their oem lower mount off, filled it with silicone, let it dry, and re-installed with great success. there is a thread here somewhere about that...
 


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