207
Member
- Joined
- March 21, 2017
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 4
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2016 Explorer Sport
On Saturday I upgraded the engine torque thrust mounts in my ‘16 Explorer Sport to a much beefier set made be Southside Machine Performance.
I did this because I came across a YouTube video where an owner had changed a lot of suspension parts only to discover that the rear thrust mount was bent thus causing the issue.
I tow a small 6x10 V-nose trailer (2,900 GVW) from the Northeast to Florida several times a year and thought that the stronger mounts would lessen the front to rear rocking of the engine on acceleration and deceleration and the possible bending of the stamped steel and rubber OEM mounts.
I planned to do the install this past Friday but, we had a snowstorm of 7+ inches so, I had a change of plans and did the install at a friends warehouse on Saturday. Even though it was heated it didn’t knock a lot off the 21* weather outside.
The install was quite easy.. I dropped the OEM front mount out first, then installed the Southside Machine Performance mount leaving the bolts loose for the time being.
I then did the same on the rear mount. Once I had all the bolts started I then tighten the bolts down trying to draw them in equally as I went.
Although I had one at the ready, I didn’t have to use a floor jack to support anything during the swap.
Upon inspection of the OEM mounts it appears the rear mount, the longer of the two, had a very slight bend in it. I tried to check it with a straight edge but, the way they are made it wasn’t possible and trying to gauge it across the bolt hole locations the rubber inserts would move.
Speaking of rubber inserts the bushings on the Southside Machine Performance mounts are of a hybrid material giving them a bit of flex. They do have other bushing types, I simply chose the softer ones.
Regarding the NVH characteristics on the road test,
Noise was insignificant as I really didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
Vibration is very slight at times and felt in the steering wheel. But, it’s only noticeable during acceleration and when the car kicks into overdrive, say around town, and the engine is “lugging”.
If I use the paddle shifter and kick it down a gear or two vibration is insignificant.
At highway speeds up to 80 I didn’t notice any unusual vibrations.
Harshness wasn’t felt. I did some 0 to 60+ blasts and all felt good. On one, the car shifted into second gear and the front tires broke loose.. LOL. I’ll attribute that to the wet spot from the melting snow. It surprised me though.
I tried all the driving modes.. 2WD, AWD, all the one on the selector knob as well as Tow/Haul mode.
With these mounts being new and "tight" I believe they'll "break in" with time.
Overall I’m very pleased and in my opinion a nice upgrade.
OK.... Well, I tried to post some of the pictures I took of the install but, I'm unable to do so. I'm guessing I need a "hosting site"???
The best I can do is a link to a couple of pictures on Southside Machine Performance's website...
https://southsidemachineperformance.com/shop-1/ols/categories/ecoboost
I did this because I came across a YouTube video where an owner had changed a lot of suspension parts only to discover that the rear thrust mount was bent thus causing the issue.
I tow a small 6x10 V-nose trailer (2,900 GVW) from the Northeast to Florida several times a year and thought that the stronger mounts would lessen the front to rear rocking of the engine on acceleration and deceleration and the possible bending of the stamped steel and rubber OEM mounts.
I planned to do the install this past Friday but, we had a snowstorm of 7+ inches so, I had a change of plans and did the install at a friends warehouse on Saturday. Even though it was heated it didn’t knock a lot off the 21* weather outside.
The install was quite easy.. I dropped the OEM front mount out first, then installed the Southside Machine Performance mount leaving the bolts loose for the time being.
I then did the same on the rear mount. Once I had all the bolts started I then tighten the bolts down trying to draw them in equally as I went.
Although I had one at the ready, I didn’t have to use a floor jack to support anything during the swap.
Upon inspection of the OEM mounts it appears the rear mount, the longer of the two, had a very slight bend in it. I tried to check it with a straight edge but, the way they are made it wasn’t possible and trying to gauge it across the bolt hole locations the rubber inserts would move.
Speaking of rubber inserts the bushings on the Southside Machine Performance mounts are of a hybrid material giving them a bit of flex. They do have other bushing types, I simply chose the softer ones.
Regarding the NVH characteristics on the road test,
Noise was insignificant as I really didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
Vibration is very slight at times and felt in the steering wheel. But, it’s only noticeable during acceleration and when the car kicks into overdrive, say around town, and the engine is “lugging”.
If I use the paddle shifter and kick it down a gear or two vibration is insignificant.
At highway speeds up to 80 I didn’t notice any unusual vibrations.
Harshness wasn’t felt. I did some 0 to 60+ blasts and all felt good. On one, the car shifted into second gear and the front tires broke loose.. LOL. I’ll attribute that to the wet spot from the melting snow. It surprised me though.
I tried all the driving modes.. 2WD, AWD, all the one on the selector knob as well as Tow/Haul mode.
With these mounts being new and "tight" I believe they'll "break in" with time.
Overall I’m very pleased and in my opinion a nice upgrade.
OK.... Well, I tried to post some of the pictures I took of the install but, I'm unable to do so. I'm guessing I need a "hosting site"???
The best I can do is a link to a couple of pictures on Southside Machine Performance's website...
https://southsidemachineperformance.com/shop-1/ols/categories/ecoboost