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Greetings, I have a 2005 GS430 and was told by the dealer I need new motor mounts. I passed on their installation and wanted to run it by the forum to get hints and tips on changing these out.
1. Has anyone done this and if so how difficult on a scale of 1-10?
2. Are the aftermarket mounts any good? I ask because the factory ones are $110/ea and aftermarket are about half that price.
Look hard online for OEM for less. There are usually a kit that also includes the transmission mount for around $260 I believe. I've never trusted aftermarket. The specs may be off and may cause engine/transmission vibration.
The transmission mount is simple. Make sure you have a jack to keep the drive shaft from lowering. I would rate it as a 2/10 for difficulty.
The motor mounts are a different story. It is about a 9/10 for difficulty. I've had them change for my 1999 GS400 and 2005 GS430 by a Master tech friend who complained every time he changed them. They are very hard to get to. He had to remove on of the control arms just to get to them. I got Pepboys to do them for about $180 because they forgot to all the interference labor involved. Buy the parts and look for a qualified mechanic who can install them. Maybe have the Lexus dealer charge you labor only since they charge high list price on the oem parts. Usually they won't do them if they are non OEM. I am sure the Lexus mechanics can do them in their sleep. Good Luck
1. Has anyone done this and if so how difficult on a scale of 1-10?
2. Are the aftermarket mounts any good? I ask because the factory ones are $110/ea and aftermarket are about half that price.
Any helpful information is greatly appreciated.
yes tons of us have done it, i rate it about 7/8 mostly time consuming but you need to be on a lift. look for header installs for the gs400/gs430 and they will give you tips
Originally Posted by kamlung
search... someone has done a writeup on this...
PLEASE PLEASE do this and dont make another post until you have looked, everything has been covered on a car, that on its oldest is 18 years old and at the newest 11 years old. so search and bump those threads no need for a new thread almost ever anymore lol
Originally Posted by JLAWS
Look hard online for OEM for less. There are usually a kit that also includes the transmission mount for around $260 I believe. I've never trusted aftermarket. The specs may be off and may cause engine/transmission vibration.
The transmission mount is simple. Make sure you have a jack to keep the drive shaft from lowering. I would rate it as a 2/10 for difficulty.
The motor mounts are a different story. It is about a 9/10 for difficulty. I've had them change for my 1999 GS400 and 2005 GS430 by a Master tech friend who complained every time he changed them. They are very hard to get to. He had to remove on of the control arms just to get to them. I got Pepboys to do them for about $180 because they forgot to all the interference labor involved. Buy the parts and look for a qualified mechanic who can install them. Maybe have the Lexus dealer charge you labor only since they charge high list price on the oem parts. Usually they won't do them if they are non OEM. I am sure the Lexus mechanics can do them in their sleep. Good Luck
i never saw a kit with the tranny mount but im with you, OEM mounts. although they are annoying to install (mainly drivers side cause its so buried they are not IMHO a 9/10. i did mine when i installed my PPE headers and they werent terrible