Dents in floors, bad mounts, and?
Naco
Band Wagon
I already have a thread in the engine/drivetrain section but I'm honestly not sure where the right spot is. So I figured I'd open up a general thread with pictures so that you kind folks can tell me what you think.
My exhaust pipe touches the driveshaft when in gear, and it's noisy. I believe the front engine mount is bad, so it is pushed out of place by the engine (probably back mounts, too). However, my floors are also dented in like somebody came down on a rock, possibly causing the pipe to be in the wrong place? And are these floor dents bad news? It looks like the dented parts are pretty important to the structure of the vehicle, but it drives straight and all doors work correctly, so I don't think the frame is too messed up... Here's a few pics, please let me know what else I can get pics of to help out!
Here's a full gallery, click on pics to make them bigger: http://imgur.com/a/31z7I
Sorry if they're hard to figure out, can try to get better pictures.
Thanks for the input
My exhaust pipe touches the driveshaft when in gear, and it's noisy. I believe the front engine mount is bad, so it is pushed out of place by the engine (probably back mounts, too). However, my floors are also dented in like somebody came down on a rock, possibly causing the pipe to be in the wrong place? And are these floor dents bad news? It looks like the dented parts are pretty important to the structure of the vehicle, but it drives straight and all doors work correctly, so I don't think the frame is too messed up... Here's a few pics, please let me know what else I can get pics of to help out!
Here's a full gallery, click on pics to make them bigger: http://imgur.com/a/31z7I
Sorry if they're hard to figure out, can try to get better pictures.
Thanks for the input
Comments
Anyway, I took the carpet and front seats out of the car, and basically hammered the floor back to roughly its initial shape with a heavy mallet. Some of the drain plugs popped out (no biggie). Also you'll probably ruin the tar matting in the process. I took this as an opportunity to use some dry ice and completely remove tar matting in the front of the car (saves a few lbs).
Also you'll want to check the bottom of the car after you do this, as you may chip some of the undercoating off. Just be sure to respray some undercoating on if it does chip off, or you'll start seeing some rust really soon.
Can't speak to the motor mount causing the driveshaft noise. I would suggest replacing your mounts regardless if you think they're messed up. Who knows, maybe you'll solve your problem. If someone recently replaced the exhaust or something, they could have just done a crappy job at it.
Hope that helps a bit..
If you're just going to replace the front one, use a jack to support the bottom of your motor, take the old one out...slide the new one in. Just be careful not to force/crossthread anything or you could ruin some threads. Also I know a lot of people pack the stock mounts with some sort of silicone/urethane sealing to make them stronger/stiffer for a low cost. Have heard good things...do some searching for that as well.
If the other mounts are on the way out, think about replacing them as well...
What I actually did, though, was to fill all of the mounts with urethane windshield adhesive. I've been pleased with the results. Just make sure you give it plenty of time to cure.
You may just have a bent pipe...
What bam-bam said, as long as your car is manual. I don't think they make a kit for the autos. I would review the mounts but they're still un-used...
Also, I bought my replacement rear diff mount from Honda. Not sure if you can get one anywhere else...
Interesting, I'll keep the adhesive in mind. I suppose I could have a bent pipe, the welds look a bit shoddy and I have dents in the floors, so it wouldn't surprise me if it took a beating. Thanks for stopping in bam-bam
Well shoot mine is an automatic. But if anyone wants to trade their manual for my auto, I'm down
Assuming all of the bushings and mounts in the whole vehicle are bad, what are the most urgent to replace? My guess would be motor mounts, but after that? All suspension bushings seem to be shot, so I just want to start replacing whatever is the most urgent.
also fix those worn out motor mounts with some polyurethane or window weld.
you can get a master bushing kit from a few companies. they will have most of the suspension bushes you will need.
You have almost exactly the same plans for your wagon as I have for mine. I will be following your build! Your dent actually looks a lot like mine (my pictures weren't great) but that rust is killer. Have you fixed the dent yet? I don't know much about structural integrity and what not, so I'm not sure if I should be adding extra support in there? I started hammering the drivers side out the other day, but I don't really mind the dent as long as it isn't an extra danger to me.
Also, I'll start looking for a master bushing kit. I didn't realize they existed. Are there wagon specific kits, or just generic bushing sets?
Really appreciate your post, your wagon is an inspiration for me! Hope you don't mind if there's a wagon in colorado that looks a lot like yours (minus the rust) :smug: I'd also like to install a sun roof, but I don't know if I am willing to test my luck with leaks. I've seen some DIY sunroofs that never stopped letting water pour in.
EDIT:
Can anyone shed light on the difference between these two bushing kits? One seems to have many more bushings but says "manual trans" in the description. Do you need more bushings in a manual than an automatic?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/energy-susp-master-bushing-kitpolyurethane-direct-fit/p3039353.jcwx?filterid=d894y1991g19j1
http://www.jcwhitney.com/energy-suspension-polyurethane-master-bushing-kit/p3039353.jcwx?skuId=1240016&filterid=d894y1991g19j1