What did you do to your Grand today (ZJ/WJ)?

[Adrian D]

Tackled the second biggest project so far: replacing the engine mounts. It took 3 days mostly because I decided to attack it from the top and there were other "while we are here" things to to, like:

Replace water pump, as I was slowly (1L/ 2-3000km) losing coolant somewhere
Clean the intake manifold and do a swirl flap delete, which required taping the swirl flap spindle holes.
Cut the plug out of the swirl flap motor to make sure I have a good connection to the plug in the wiring loom, my initial fix was sometimes not making contact.
Replace the air filter box, as it had a broken tab and rattled around like crazy
Replace the stupid nuts for the air filter box with rivnuts
Re-do the power steering line, as the original crimps were tampered with and the rubber line was always moist and I suspected it was leaking at one of my previous welds for a new connector

The original engine mounts were ripped apart, the engine shifted backwards and it was noisy driving around and the whole car was shaky at idle. Now, when you start the engine you just feel one thump and it's running, almost zero vibration in the bodywork, a bit of vibration in the steering wheel though. It's unreal, it feels like a new car.








The engine mount bushings are available rather cheap (9 USD on amazon, each).

My biggest win of the operation was putting the mount support in the oven, heating it to 150 degrees celsius and the bushing slid in EASY. By the time I got to the garage the aluminum cooled to about 100 degrees celsius.

[JeanLuke]

I have a spare set of second-hand mounts. I was planning to do it last Christmas. Perhaps this one.

Thanks for the great write-up. It gives me the inspiration to tackle it.

I was planning to attack it from underneath. I've even got a Dremel lined up to cut the engine mount bolt that hits the exhaust and a replacement ready to insert from the front, like it should have been at the factory.

[Adrian D]

No need to cut anything, I suspect mine was not taken apart, the bolt on the exhaust side goes in from the front.

It's important to have a good set of E-torx sockets. E10 and E12 were the most common.

[Adrian D]

Finally replaced the second bushing on the trackbar at the frame side. Of course the hole was also large, so I had to weld to pieces of metal to keep things happy. Steering play is not reduced to even less now and when wiggling the steering wheel, there is no give in the bushings like there was before.
Some play remains, so when time allows I will attempt to tighten the steering box.

EDIT: no pictures this time because the welds look ugly, that's what I get for welding in tight spaces at -6* Celsius outside.

[Sailor-Tony]

Fixed leaking highpressure pump.

[JeanLuke]

Orifices plugged, awaiting a hose to arrive from RockAuto due Tuesday. If it goes back in half as easily as it came out, I'll be happy.

Got the V8 hose coming based on info in another thread that it fits with a little rubbing on the intercooler hose. Protective rubber and zip ties are on standby.

Should be back on the road for next weekend. Meantime I get to drive my Renault Gordini. Not so bad.

Edit: dumb question... How does one lock the tailgate with no battery installed?

[Ben-n-Jo]

Put a brand new second hand steering box in mine today. Steering is back to normal now.

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