Jay Miller at 4Wheel Parts...
Jay Miller at 4Wheel Parts Performance Center in San Marcos, CA, uses a shop jack to support the tranny/transfer case during the mount swap.
The bolts attaching the transmission...
The bolts attaching the transmission mounts to the skidplate are removed.
Next, the bolts retaining...
Next, the bolts retaining the skidplate are removed, and the skidplate is dropped to expose the transmission and the offending mount.
Remove the mount and see if...
Remove the mount and see if you can toss it into the trash from three-point range. You need to keep the stud on the left, but you can trash the two rubber bushings that accompanied it.
Energy Suspension supplies...
Energy Suspension supplies these new polyurethane bushings (right) to replace the beat up OEM rubber ones (left) that go on the stud thingy.
Miller shows the proper way...
Miller shows the proper way to install the polyurethane bushing on the stud. We needed three 1/2-inch USS washers to properly space the torque arm bushings.
Reinstall the stud and the...
Reinstall the stud and the new tranny mount, torque to specs, and you should be ready for the skidplate. Note the rounded side of the mount facing rearward.
Reinstall the skidplate, tighten...
Reinstall the skidplate, tighten the bolts to the transmission mount and the skidplate, and you are ready to go.
So you love your Jeep and you know that everything on it is in tip-top shape. Well, you better make sure you didnt forget a very simple yet often overlooked piece of equipment: your transmission mount. This goes especially for those of you who own an older Jeep, or those of you who push your Jeep to the limit both on-road and off.
The OEM unit is plenty strong for most applications, but with time even rubber begins to degrade. This rubber is not only exposed to the muck you drive through on the trails and highways, it has probably been doused with a bit of oil at one time or another. Oil acts as a solvent of any petroleum-based product like the rubber that is holding the tranny mount together. Throw in the aforementioned mud and grit mixed in with a healthy dose of flexing from hard shifts, low-geared axles, and the ever-tempting I wanna be like Mike air trails, and its only a matter of time before something gives way. If you are lucky, all that will go will be your tranny mount. If not, well, lets not go there.
Luckily, there is an affordable product made by Energy Suspension. This hyperflex polyurethane mount will not only replace the tired old stock unit in your Jeep, it will resist road gunk as well as any vehicular fluids that could douse your tranny. So it will hopefully last quite a bit longer than a new OEM rubber unit. It is also less likely to fail due to Energy Suspensions safety interlock design. Follow along as we go through an installation on a YJ. If you dont own a YJ dont worrythe installation should be very similar on almost any Jeep.