Motor mounts, also called engine mounts, are the brackets and cushioned bushings that bolt your engine and transmission to the vehicle's frame or subframe. They carry the weight of the drivetrain, stop it twisting under torque and absorb engine vibration before it reaches the cabin. When they wear, you feel thumps, shakes and clunks. 

Your engine produces a constant stream of vibration and a powerful twisting force every time you accelerate. Something has to hold it firmly in place without shaking the whole vehicle apart, and that is the job of the motor mounts. So what are motor mounts, how do they work and why do they matter so much? We make polyurethane engine mount bushings for performance, muscle, passenger, diesel and commercial applications, and here is the full explanation. 

What Is a Motor Mount on a Car? 

A motor mount is a mounting point that connects the engine to the chassis. Each one typically has a metal bracket bolted to the engine block, a second bracket or pedestal bolted to the frame, and a cushion between them. That cushion is what does the clever work, and it is usually rubber from the factory. 

So what are engine mounts compared with motor mounts? They are the same thing, and you will see both names used for the same part. Many vehicles also have one or more transmission mounts, plus torque struts or torque arms that control how far the engine rocks under load. Together they form the complete drivetrain mounting system. 

What Do Motor Mounts Do? 

Every engine mount has three jobs, and it has to manage all of them at once:

  • Support the weight: The engine and transmission can weigh several hundred pounds, and the mounts carry that load over every bump. 
  • Control torque reaction: When you accelerate, the engine tries to twist in the opposite direction to the crankshaft's rotation, and the mounts resist that movement.
  • Isolate vibration: The cushion absorbs firing pulses and engine vibration so the cabin stays smooth and quiet. 

When a car engine mount is healthy, you barely know it is there. The engine stays steady at idle, the vehicle pulls away cleanly and gear changes feel smooth. When it wears, the engine moves more than it should and the vibration reaches you through the floor, steering wheel and seats.

Types of Engine Mounts

Engine mount type 

How it works 

Typical use 

Rubber 

Rubber bonded between steel brackets 

Most everyday passenger vehicles 

Hydraulic 

Fluid-filled chamber adds extra damping 

Many modern cars and SUVs 

Active or electronic 

Damping changes with engine speed and load 

Some newer premium vehicles 

Polyurethane 

Tougher cushion that resists movement and wear 

Performance, towing, diesel and high-mileage vehicles 

Solid 

Metal with little or no cushion 

Dedicated race and drag vehicles 
 

Polyurethane is the most popular upgrade from worn rubber because it controls engine movement better and lasts longer, without the harshness of a solid mount. Our guide to polyurethane vs rubber motor mounts compares them in detail.

Motor Mount Kit- 6 Cylinder ModelsMotor Mount Kit- 6 Cylinder Models

Motor Mount Kit- 6 Cylinder Models

Why Motor Mounts Wear Out 

Engine mounts live in one of the harshest environments in the vehicle. Engine heat cooks the rubber, oil and coolant leaks soften it, and the constant twisting of torque reaction stretches it every time you accelerate. Over time the rubber cracks, sags and tears away from its brackets, and hydraulic mounts can leak their fluid. 

High-torque engines wear mounts faster, which is why the problem is so common on V8s, turbocharged engines and diesels. Towing, aggressive driving and engine swaps all add to the load. Our checklist of bad motor mount symptoms explains what to look and listen for. 

Where Are the Motor Mounts Located? 

Most vehicles use somewhere between two and four mounts in total, combining engine mounts, transmission mounts and torque struts. Their position depends on whether the engine sits lengthwise in a rear-wheel drive layout or sideways in a front-wheel drive layout. Our guide to how many motor mounts a car has covers the common layouts and where to find each mount. 

FAQs

Looking for more information? Below we answer the most commonly asked questions

Are motor mounts and engine mounts the same thing?

Yes, motor mounts and engine mounts are two names for the same part. Both describe the mounts that hold the engine to the vehicle's frame or subframe.

What does a motor mount do?

A motor mount supports the engine's weight, controls the twisting force of torque reaction and absorbs vibration. It keeps the engine steady and the cabin smooth.

What is an engine mount made of?

Most factory engine mounts are rubber bonded between steel brackets, and some use fluid-filled hydraulic chambers. Our replacement mounts and inserts use durable polyurethane.

How many motor mounts does a car have?

Most vehicles have two to four mounts in total, including engine mounts, transmission mounts and torque struts. The exact count depends on the engine layout.

What happens when a motor mount fails?

The engine moves more than it should, causing a thump when accelerating or shifting, extra vibration at idle and clunks over bumps. Severe failure can strain hoses, wiring and the exhaust.

Do motor mounts affect performance?

Yes, worn mounts let the engine move under load, which wastes some of the drive feel and can cause wheel hop on powerful vehicles. Firm, healthy mounts keep the whole drivetrain steady under load.

Keep your engine steady and your cabin smooth. Browse our full range of engine mount bushings, including insert kits and complete mount sets.