How To: Hockey Puck Engine Mount Modification

Tools Needed:
-Basic socket set
-Jig saw (equipped with knife edged blade)
-Flat headed hammer
-Power drill
-Drill bits

Materials Needed:
-Six hockey pucks (or two per mount)
-Rubber Cement
-Blue Lock-Tight

I discovered that with the engine mounts in Storms, the rubber can be replaced with hockey pucks. This makes for a much stiffer mount. I find it ideal because the car still feels drivable and though there is more vibration, it is still comfortable for passengers. This modification will cost no more than 15 dollars for all the engine mounts and is reliable.

*WARNING*

*Use caution when attempting this modification. Use jack stands and be sure the e-brake is set firmly. Perform this modification at your own risk.*

I will show you in detail how to remove and replace the rubber on the lower center mount on the Storm. It is the hardest to do and from there you will easily pick up the rest.

Start by jacking the front of the car up on jack stands with the e-brake set. Be sure the rear wheels are locked. You'll need a separate jack to support the engine / tranny to help keep the extra heft of the engine off the remaining mounts while one is removed. Standard hydraulic jacks tend to sag over time, so I recommend using a scissor jack for supporting the engine. Support the jack under the flat edge where the tranny meets the engine and lift it enough to visually see the mounts become less stressed.

The right control arm support bar must be removed to gain adequate room to remove the three mount bolts. Remove the bolt going through the large circle part of the mount first, to relieve the tension on the remaining bolts and lessen the odds of stripping them out. Remove the next two bolts, keeping track of which hole the one shorter bolt belongs to (saves frustration). Remove the mount.

Heres the hockey pucks I'm using, $0.99 each, not bad at all.

Here is the mount removed and cleaned. Mine was being replaced because my power steering leak had softened the rubber.

Now the rubber must be removed from the center of the mount. You may go about this any way you please, but what worked for me was using a Jig saw. Use a blade without teeth on it, a knife edged blade. The teeth just grab the rubber and bend. The knife edge cuts through the rubber with little effort. Its a good idea to place the mount in a vice.

The hockey pucks are the exact same size of the inside of the mount so you must remove the rubber right to the very edge of the mount. Make sure to keep the round center that was formed into the mount, we will reuse that.

My mount with 80% of the rubber removed.

With the center of the mount clean, take a hockey puck and use a hammer to evenly insert the puck into the center. Make it flush with the flat end of the mount.

Now take the rubber cement and smear it all over the inside of the hockey puck on the top side of the mount. This will make the two pucks bond together and ensure a problem free operation. Now take your second puck and do the same, be sure it is pressed right flat to the other puck.

About half of the puck will be sticking out the top of the mount now, cut that off with the Jig saw. Be sure it is cut completely flush with the top of the mount, if not the mount will not install properly.

With the hockey pucks in place, and both sides of the mount flush, take your drill and put it through the center of the pucks. Make it big enough that the center sleeve will install tightly. Use a hammer and shove the sleeve into the hole.

Center Drilled

The finished product, ready for installation.

Install the mount reverse of removal. One thing changes though, use blue lock-tight on the three bolts. The stiff mounts will allow much more vibration on the mount, and not using lock-tight will run the risk of the bolts baking out. Start with the bolt though the circle part of the mount, then the other two.

The only downside to this modification is increased steering wheel vibration and rattle, it may annoy some more than others. You will quickly fall in love with how solid the car feels, and how much more "get up and go" it has. It will feel like a much more solid car. Please email me with ANY questions. gleasebag@hotmail.com

Page One - General Storm Report
Page Two - Engine Mount Modification Guide