Eternal Rollerz C.C. - Replacing Body Mounts

Replacing Body Mounts

We sometimes overlook things on our cars that we don't see. Hopping and three wheeling put a tremendous amount of wear on your car and body mounts.Your body mounts are extremely important in how your car holds up with hydraulics installed.( On cars without shocks and other girlie creature comforts on our suspension.) A good body mount can prevent a fender and door from rubbing or damaging body panels.

Getting started you will need some simple tools. The job pictured below was done with a simple ratchet and wrench set and a hydraulic floor jack. Some penetrating oil was used shortly before starting the job. From below you will see a hole in the frame with a bolt in it. This is where the a body mount is located. Most full frame cars can have 14 or more of them through out the frame. In this case a nut was on the top side of the body mount. A wrench was placed on top and a ratchet was used to remove the bolts. Once the bolts are removed a jack is used with a wood block carefully under the body and it is lifted up. The old body mount is removed at this point. The new body mount is put in place on top of the frame rail and the body is carefully let down onto the new body mount. Before securing the bolts back in place take a look at how the body panels line up. If everything looks good secure the bolts and repair or replace any body parts possibly damaged by the bad mounts. If things still don't line up you can see a professional body person who can help. If you don't have enough frame reinforcement you may find that bad body mounts were just the beginning of your problems.

Above: The front body mounts on this Caprice have seen better days. As you can see the filler piece is damaged and the paint is cracking.

Above: The passenger side fender was rubbing against the door before changing the body mounts. After changing the body mount a nice and even gap is left between the fender and door.

Above: On the left is a worn out body mount with the upper and lower piece. (At least what was left of it.) To the right is the brand new lower part of the body mount.

Above: The body mounts are in and the body is now sitting where it should be. The front filler is damaged and will need to be replaced.

Above: The light bezels are removed to prepare taking the damaged filler piece off.

Above: The grille is also removed.

Above: The original filler was so badly damaged that it was thrown out. A new one was at the paint shop.

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