How To Replace Toyota Camry Engine Mounts
Your Toyota’s engine mounts keep the engine firmly in place and absorb vibrations. This provides a smoother ride and prevents damage to the engine and other mechanical components.
If you experience excessive vibration or clunking noises from the engine bay, it may be time for new engine mounts.
Replacing them can be done as a DIY project, but you will need some basic tools, and some helpful instructions. The Car Care Nut is a Toyota expert who explains how to replace your engine mounts in the helpful video below.
Engine Mounts In Detail
"Toyota and Lexus make some of the best motor mounts."
- The Car Care Nut
The good news for most Toyota and Lexus owners is that their engine mounts tend to last for years. The Car Care Nut rarely has to replace them. If your Camry is less than 15 years old and has under 100,000 miles on it, the mounts are almost always going to be in good condition.
Typical Toyota Camry Mount Layout
Image Credit: The CarCareNut
- 1 x engine mount on passenger side
- 1 x transmission mount on driver side
- 1 x large engine mount on the front of the engine
- 1 x torque rod on the front of the engine
Many Toyota Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES engines tend to have a similar engine mount layout. This comprises one engine mount on the passenger side, another on the driver side(which is actually a transmission mount), and a large engine mount on the front. At the very top of the engine in the front, there is a torque rod. This is not strictly an engine mount, but it prevents the powertrain from rocking on its engine mounts.
This torque rod, also known as a ‘dog bone mount’ due to its shape, is often the first to fail. Ignoring it for too long will put extra pressure on the other mounts, leading to premature failure. The next most common failure is the passenger side transmission mount.
However, models like the Corolla, RAV4 and Matrix which feature two engine mounts and two torque rods tend to fail much sooner than the Camry design. For more information on engine mounts read our comprehensive list of engine mount FAQs here.
Check For Causes Of Vibration First
Before carrying out an engine mount change, make sure that the vibrations are not caused by:
- Worn Spark Plugs
- Fueling issues
If your engine mounts are the cause of the vibrations, then never just replace the broken mount.
"Always replace your mounts as a set, but most importantly, always buy original mounts."
- The Car Care Nut
Leaving the older mounts in may not resolve your vibration issue, as they will not be as solid as the replacement part. A very important tip from the Car Care Nut is to only ever buy OEM Toyota mounts. Aftermarket parts are never built to the same high standards, and sometimes they don’t even fit right.
Replacing The Mounts
Image Credit: The CarCareNut
Replacing your engine mounts requires some mechanical knowledge and skill. Most importantly, you will need the right tools to do the job. Keep in mind that generally speaking, when one mount goes bad the others are put under tremendous stress and generally go out as well. Therefore, it's best to plan on replacing all the mounts, not just one.
Recommended Tools
- Plastic clip removal tool
- Ratchet Set and extensions - power tools are recommended
- Jack – to lift and support the engine (and a block of wood to prevent damage to the oil pan)
- Jack stands - to support the vehicle
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Gloves
Replacement Process
- Remove all engine covers and plastic shrouds.
- Loosen the top passenger side engine mount first – be careful not to damage the brake lines.
- Loosen the nut on the top mount closest to the fascia and remove the mount. If the mount cannot clear the brake lines, you may need to remove the bracket as well.
- Lift the vehicle on a car lift and remove the front wheels.
- Remove the engine cover underneath the vehicle.
- Next, loosen the mounts on either side and on the front of the vehicle.
- If your vehicle has an active front mount, you will need to remove a clip and an actuator before removing the mount itself.
- Next, use a jack to lift the engine slightly. If the front mount does not slide past the bodywork, you will need to lower the subframe.
- Loosen the two rubber lines below the front engine mount. Loosen the subframe mounts and support it with a second jack. The plastic water container may also need to be loosened.
- The front engine mount should now slide past the subframe and can be removed.
- The new front engine mount should now be installed. Reattach the subframe and connect all the clips and wires before tightening the mount. Remember to reconnect the rubber lines as well.
- Now, it is time to remove the transmission mount located in the driver’s side wheel arch. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on top of the mount.
- Lift the transmission housing using a jack and pull the mount free.
- Place the new transmission mount in line with the bolt holes and lower the jack.
- Tighten the top mount using a wrench.
- Now, replace the final mount located in the passenger-side wheel arch. You may need to remove a plastic cover to access it.
- The replacement process is the same as with the driver-side mount. You will need to use your jack to raise and lower the engine to allow the mount to pull free. Some Camry models may have a power steering line connected to the mount housing that must be removed first.
- It is now time to replace the top passenger-side engine mount that was loosened in Step 2. Attach the new mount to the bracket. Make sure to put the mount in place before tightening the nuts completely.
- Replace all the plastic covers and shrouds underneath the car and in the engine bay. Then, refit the front wheel and lower the car.
Tips And Tricks to Keep In Mind
- Always use a block of wood or rubber between the jack and engine to avoid damage.
- If the engine oil pan is dented or damaged, it should be removed and repaired.
- Remember to use OEM engine and transmission mounts – learn about why aftermarket parts are not good enough here.
- Make sure to choose the right mounts for your vehicle – many variants exist between models, engine configurations, and transmission types. Use our free VIN decoder to order right the first time.
If you need replacement engine mounts for your Toyota, Olathe Toyota Parts Center has the perfect OEM parts at wholesale prices. Our huge selection is ready to ship, so you can get your Toyota repaired quickly.
We also offer free online Toyota resources like a comprehensive Engine Guide, common Toyota issues and recalls, and links to digital Toyota owner’s