Not for the Faint of Heart!! - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

mendo · 08-12-2008, 02:04 AM

I just removed the lower forward mount and replaced it with a modified mount that is much more solid.
I put solid brackets on both sides to stiffen it up.
I didn't like the way the motor moved around so much, both sideways and front to back.

Good news is it really hold it in place well, bad news....... much louder!!!!

I like it, I am used to solid mounts in cars, my family says it is too loud.

I will be working on a semi-rigid mount as an alternate. I will keep you posted!!!!

SmartCard · 08-12-2008, 05:18 AM

we're talking about fortwo motor are? Hope that movement isn't engineered in there for a reason!
(Of course if there's any problems, your warranty will cover it....or maybe NOT!)

Smart Enuf · 08-12-2008, 08:23 AM

File this under "a solution searching for a problem."

PeteInLongBeach · 08-13-2008, 12:07 AM

My Honda Insight 3 cylinder has very flexible motor mounts also. The car is silent and vibration-free. I'm sure the smart is designed similarly. What is the problem, other than your subjective distaste for it?

Why fix it if it isn't broken?

SunDiego · 08-13-2008, 12:11 AM

Or, why break it when it's fixed?

mendo · 08-13-2008, 01:18 AM

all this sounds kinda sarcastic?

All of you have left the car exactly how it was when you bought it?

If this doesn't interest you the way it interests me then pick something else.

It may be better, it may not. If I don't try it I will never know.

rwjrn · 08-13-2008, 01:31 AM

Sometimes things can come out in print sounding more sarcastic than people intend. Note all the smiley faces after posts and you can probably assume these are meant to indicate an attempt at humor or a light tone. I think most people are simply curious to know why it is you decided to do what you are doing. What is the purpose of stiffer mounts?

mendo · 08-13-2008, 01:48 AM

The purpose for me is to hold the motor from moving so much,

I have a Volvo that I had to change the motor mounts on after 50,000mi because they tore under normal use. I upgraded them to Urethane and it has held up for over 140,000 now.

I have played with VW bugs, (rear engine, Transaxle, kinda similar in that respect) and by upgrading to stiffer mounts the car leaves smoother from the line. If the Engine/Transaxle shakes when it is engaging or shifting then it will jerk. especially when trying to be smooth and slow. I noticed that the engine moves around quite a bit, with the engine cover off, grab the alternator and push the motor from side to side.

Again, I don't question someone adding a side pouch to the shifter, I don't really want it, I think that they found a good solution for making one fit.

I appreciate your reminder about the posts, I am going to work this anyway and figure it out. then I will mess around with other stuff too.

limey · 08-13-2008, 06:49 AM

Don't forget that those motor mounts do more than just hold the motor in place. Like essentially everyother part in the car, they are part of the crash structure and will play a role in moving the engine down and under the passenger compartment in the event of a rear end accident.

I trust that the smart guys in Germany knew what they were doing when they designed them and personally, I wouldn't mess with them.