Motor mount at its limit?

[ShaveLazer]

Just got my Jeep back from the mechanic having some transmission work done on it. Also had the transmission mount replaced because the old one was broken. When I went to pick it up the mechanic was telling me about how after removing the transmission mount the transmission/transfer case rose up and to the passenger side and they had to pull it back down into place to set it back in my skid plate. Mechanic was saying my motor was way too far back. I’ll show pics of the motor mounts, the backside has about 2.5 inches of rubber exposed and the front side of the mounts only has .5 inches. Wondering why this is and what I can do to fix it.

 

[CharlesHS]

What transmission do you have installed ?
Do you have an aftermarket skidplate ?
Were the factory holes retained when the skidplate and mount were installed ?

 

[ShaveLazer]

What transmission do you have installed ?
Do you have an aftermarket skidplate ?
Were the factory holes retained when the skidplate and mount were installed ?

I have the 42rle transmission. I do not think the skid plate is aftermarket, but it is dropped, I think 1.5 inches, because of my lift. The holes it’s set in are the original ones.

 

[CharlesHS]

The appearance of your motor mounts are interesting...
Not sure if those mounts are switched left to right or what...
The passenger side mount on my TJ has the extra rubber facing towards the front of the Jeep instead of the back like yours has.

 

[ShaveLazer]

The appearance of your motor mounts are interesting...

Not sure if those mounts are switched left to right or what...
The passenger side mount on my TJ has the extra rubber facing towards the front of the Jeep instead of the back like yours has.

Weird, my mechanic works on a lot of Jeeps and said he hadn’t seen the engine pulled back like this.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Where are the 4 trans mount studs located in relation to the slotted openings in the skid plate.

 

[ShaveLazer]

Where are the 4 trans mount studs located in relation to the slotted openings in the skid plate.

They are in the middle of the slots, I’ll get a picture when I get the chance

 

[TJ4Jim]

They are in the middle of the slots, I’ll get a picture when I get the chance

I would loosen everything up in the mount area (upper and lower fasteners) for starters to see if she will relax on her own. Are both front and rear driveshaft splines free able to slide.

 

[ShaveLazer]

I would loosen everything up in the mount area (upper and lower fasteners) for starters to see if she will relax on her own. Are both front and rear driveshaft splines free able to slide.

Do I just need to pull on the driveshafts to slide them?

 

[ShaveLazer]

Do I just need to pull on the driveshafts to slide them?

I tried pulling on the center rod of the drive shafts and couldn’t seem to move them either way, not sure if I needed to pull them from another spot. Here’s my rear DS for reference

 

[TJ4Jim]

I tried pulling on the center rod of the drive shafts and couldn’t seem to move them either way, not sure if I needed to pull them from another spot. Here’s my rear DS for reference

View attachment 269208

I was really just trying out different scenarios in my head thinking that a locked up spline would cause a difficulty moving the drivetrain forward or back.

The section in front of the U-joint on the left is a spline that slips into the TC tailpiece and the front shaft should have an accordion rubber boot covering the spline in the center. The only way to get a visual is to remove the 4 bolts that connect the rear u-joint to the differential then pull and slide away from the TC. The front is similar with removing the 4 bolts at the front differential u-joint.

The splines should be free to slide and self adjust as geometry conditions change.

 

[ShaveLazer]

I was really just trying out different scenarios in my head thinking that a locked up spline would cause a difficulty moving the drivetrain forward or back.

The section in front of the U-joint on the left is a spline that slips into the TC tailpiece and the front shaft should have an accordion rubber boot covering the spline in the center. The only way to get a visual is to remove the 4 bolts that connect the rear u-joint to the differential then pull and slide away from the TC. The front is similar with removing the 4 bolts at the front differential u-joint.

The splines should be free to slide and self adjust as geometry conditions change.

I’ve done some off-roading and there done seem to be issues with them moving, I can try opening them up after work tomorrow when I have some time and check for sure. Could I jack the axle up as well and change elevation to see if they move

 

[TJ4Jim]

I’ve done some off-roading and there done seem to be issues with them moving, I can try opening them up after work tomorrow when I have some time and check for sure. Could I jack the axle up as well and change elevation to see if they move

Any way you can to confirm so it can be eliminated. My first thought is still to loosen all the mount hardware as a first approach.

 

[ShaveLazer]

Any way you can to confirm so it can be eliminated. My first thought is still to loosen all the mount hardware as a first approach.

Alright I’ll loosen the mount hardware when I get some time after work. Is the hardware the transmission mount bolts or are there other ones to get too?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Alright I’ll loosen the mount hardware when I get some time after work. Is the hardware the transmission mount bolts or are there other ones to get too?

There is a large transition/adapter mount between the trans and trans mount that also supports the exhaust system, you should be able to access those bolts into the trans thru the cutouts in the skid just forward of the 4 mount studs.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I tried pulling on the center rod of the drive shafts and couldn’t seem to move them either way, not sure if I needed to pull them from another spot. Here’s my rear DS for reference

View attachment 269208

That's a really steep angle. I'm surprised the u-joints haven't failed yet.

 

[LONGJP2]

How much lift do have?
It might be time for an SYE and/or a DC rear driveshaft.

 

[ShaveLazer]

How much lift do have?
It might be time for an SYE and/or a DC rear driveshaft.

I have a 4 inch lift, came when I got it so I have no idea what’s wrong with it. Mechanic said I have a SYE apparently

 

[taylormade73]

Mechanic said I have a SYE apparently

Based on your photo above, you need a new mechanic.

 

[ShaveLazer]

Based on your photo above, you need a new mechanic.

How can I tell if I have one or not