Vibrations in the Engine Mounts of a 2000 Chevy Impala

The 2000 Chevy Impala base model came with a 4.3-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine in your Impala has one mount that connects the lower engine to the sub-frame and two upper strut type mounts that mount the front of the engine to the core support. Any time any of these mounts fail it can lead to excessive engine movement and vibration; a problem that should be addressed quickly to prevent further damage to other engine and transmission mounts.

Instructions

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Open the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Hold the mount to engine bolt stationary with a wrench and remove the nut with a socket and ratchet. Remove the washer and through bolt.

Hold the front mount through bolt stationary with a wrench and remove the nut with a socket and bracket. Remove the washer and through bolt from the engine mount bracket. Lift the strut style mount from the engine brackets.

Hold the new strut style mount in place on the core support bracket and slide the through bolt into the mount. Install the washer followed by the mounting nut. Rotate the mount down into position on the engine bracket and slide the through bolt into place. Install the washer followed by the nut. Hold the bolt stationary with a wrench and tighten the nut to 35 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Repeat this process for the other front side mount.

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Loosen the lug nuts for the front right wheel with a lug wrench. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with a floor jack and place jack stands under the front frame rails. Lower the vehicle until it rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the front right wheel and tire.

Loosen the clamp for the air intake duct at the throttle body with a screwdriver. Separate the air intake tubing from the throttle body. Hold the upper engine mount to core support through bolts with a wrench and remove the both upper nuts at the core support bracket with a socket and ratchet. Lift both strut type mounts and push them back so that they rest on the front of the engine.

Position yourself under the vehicle in view of the exhaust manifold to catalytic converter mating flanges at the rear of the engine. Remove the catalytic converter attaching nuts at the exhaust manifold with a socket and ratchet. Separate the catalytic converter pipe from the exhaust manifold and hang it to the vehicle shell with mechanics wire so that it will not be in contact with any engine component.

Remove the push pins securing the under engine splash shield to the lower sub-frame rails with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the splash shield from under the vehicle. Remove the lower engine mount nuts with a socket and ratchet and set them aside.

Place a block of wood on the jack arm and position the jack arm under the lowest part of the oil pan and lift the jack until the wood contact the pan; the wood should make full contact with the oil pan or damage to the pan will occur.

Loosen the engine mount to oil pan bolts with a wrench, but do not remove them. Lift the engine about three inches with the floor jack and remove the engine mount to oil pan bolts. Lift the engine as necessary to gain enough room to maneuver the engine mount out of the sub-frame. Remove the faulty engine mount and engine mount bracket.

Remove the mount to mount bracket nuts with a socket and ratchet. Clean the bolt threads with a wire brush. Clean the mating surfaces on the sub-frame and oil pan with a wire brush.

Install the bracket over the mounting studs on the tip of the engine mount. Tighten the nuts to 35 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

Position the engine mount and bracket in place on the oil pan and install the mounting bolts hand tight. Lower the engine and guide the lower mount studs through the holes in the sub frame. Install the engine mount nuts hand tight. Tighten the engine mount bracket to oil pan bolts to 43 foot-pounds. Tighten the lower mount nuts to 32 foot-pounds. Lift the engine splash shield into place and install the push pins.

Support the catalytic converter by hand and remove the mechanics wire. Position a new exhaust gasket on the on the catalytic converter and align it with the exhaust manifold. Install the catalytic converter to exhaust manifold nuts and tighten to 24 foot-pounds alternating back and forth until tight.

Rotate the upper engine mounts into the brackets on the core support and install the through bolts. Install the nut and washer and hold the through bolt stationary with a wrench. Tighten the upper mount nuts to 35 foot-pounds.

Place the right wheel and tire onto the wheel hub and install the lug nuts hand tight. Lift the front of the vehicle off the jack stands and remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Shut the vehicle hood.