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Pelican Parts Technical Articles Main Image

Mercedes-Benz W210 Engine Mount Replacement

Applicable Models:

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Rennline Performance Products Lifetime Replacement Parts Pelican Parts Tech Forums
  • Parts Required: New engine mounts
  • Performance Gain: Smooth drivetrain
  • Complementary Modification: Replace transmission mount

The engine mounts on a car are the direct mechanical connection holding the engine to the chassis.

Almost all engine mounts have a rubber portion that allows a small amount of flex to reduce vibrations from the engine. If the engine was just directly bolted to the chassis, you would feel every vibration from the engine much more amplified throughout the car while driving.

The rubber portion of the engine mount is particularly susceptible to failure due to the conditions of the engine bay. Heat and oil can take its toll on the mount, causing the rubber portion to crack and separate. When this happens, the mount collapses and no longer supports the engine correctly. Replacement is easy and should only take an hour.

Begin by jacking the car up and securing it on jackstands. NEVER rely on a floor jack to hold the car up. Doing so only invites the possibility for a serious accident. Next, remove the panel on the front of the right rear passenger seat. Underneath you'll see a disconnect point for the battery ground. We will be working around the starter which has a live 12V feed going to it. If you happen to touch this while working on the car, you can damage the electrical system as well as yourself. Be safe, disconnect the lead.

Hot tip

Make sure you support the engine correctly when replacing the mounts

Wayne R. Dempsey, Co-Founder & DIY Expert

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Project Photos

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Figure 1 Shown here is a new mount for the W210 Mercedes-Benz with the M104 engine. If your mounts have failed, Pelican Parts has them in stock.
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Figure 2 Shown here is the battery disconnection port on the W210 Mercedes-Benz. It is located on the front of the rear right passenger seat. Pry off the plastic cover and remove the 11mm nut holding the contact to the terminal. Once the terminal is removed, the battery is disconnected.
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Figure 3 Shown here is the location of the two engine mounts (green arrows) looking up at the bottom of the car. The first step is to loosen and remove the 13mm bolt that holds the mount in place on the lower cross-member. These are located inside the two access holes shown here (purple arrows). Don't worry about the engine shifting position. The weight of the engine will keep the mount in place. I recommend that you change one mount at a time. In this case, we will start with the right side.
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Figure 4 Next, remove the 17mm bolt at the top of the mount (green arrow). I've been told that on earlier cars, this can also be a 16mm bolt.
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Figure 5 Place a floor jack under the oil pan of the engine with a block of wood or rubber between the jack and the pan. This helps to protect the pan from damage. Now jack the engine up gently until you can remove the mount from in between the engine and cross member.
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Figure 6 You'll notice a small tab cast into the mount (green arrow). This tab centers the mount on the mount arm.
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Figure 7 Place the new mount on the cross member and loosely thread the 13mm bolt in at the bottom. We just want to hold it in place with some wiggle room. Now rotate the mount until the small tab at the top lines up with the slot in the mount arm on the engine (green arrow). Place the 17mm bolt through the top of the engine mount arm and into the new mount. Thread it in by hand and carefully lower the engine back down onto the new mount. Torque the top bolt to 55 Nm/40ft.-lbs and the bottom one to 25 Nm/18ft.-lbs. You may find it difficult to fit a torque wrench inside the engine bay to get at the top bolt. I'd just tighten it down as much as you can by hand.
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Figure 8 The right side (passenger side) mount is a little more difficult due to the heat shield directly above the mount. Begin removal by first removing the lower 13mm bolt and reaching above the heat shield to remove the upper 17mm bolt. You wont be able to pull the bolt out of the mount arm due to the exhaust manifold being in the way (green arrow). Instead, you'll have to jack the motor up far enough to lift up on the bolt by hand while you pull the old mount out. Pull the bolt up when installing the new mount. Once you position the centering tab in the mount arm, lower the engine down and re-install the lower mounting bolt. Torque the top bolt to 55 Nm/40ft.-lbs and the bottom one to 25 Nm/18ft.-lbs Now just re-connect the battery and lower the car. You're all done.

Comments and Suggestions

RD2001EMP.

December 12, 2021

All endless money pits are different. I spent 2 days last year attempting to replace the mounts on my 2001 E320. I was able to do the passenger side no sweat however when it came to the driver's side It was an abortion. The mount had seized in place and was impossible to access since the rack & pinion assembly was in the way. I thought about using a torch but was unable no room. After 2 days I finally let it down off the jack stands & brought it to Pep Boys .5mi away. They had to remove the rack & pinion to access it & $450.00 later I had the **** back.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for sharing your repair process and experience. These types of comments add so much to the Pelican tech community. - Nick at Pelican Parts

donow

May 13, 2020

1999 4MATIC sedan USA. Passenger side very easy move the alternator if you want room but not required. Driver side 16mm flexible head ratcheting spanner is the key. For the all wheel drive the driver's side engine mount is the Sphinx's riddle. I recommend removing the driver's side front exhaust first to gain access to the entire mount from below. Be patient, use thin rubber gloves - much of the work is by feel.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the additional info and feedback. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

rick

January 20, 2020

do these parts and procedure work with my 1999 e320 4matic wagon?
thanks!

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Try this tech article: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-W211/68-ENGINE-Engine_Mount_Replacement/68-ENGINE-Engine_Mount_Replacement.htm - Nick at Pelican Parts

Paul

July 25, 2019

I have a MB 2000 E320 std basic sedan. I am already have the engine mounts and trans mount. Will your procedure work for my car so that I can replace the mounts from under the car, or will I have to move some accessories like the A?C, alternator, and whatever?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

It will be similar, this article should get you done. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Tim

January 18, 2019

Your comment regarding a 2001 e430 4matic was that it would be different procedure due to the obstruction caused by 4matic components. Do you have that procedure...can the mounts still be removed from the bottom? I have a 2001 e320 4matic.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

We don't currently have that tech article. If we get a chance to perform the procedure, we will be sure to document it. I would suggest you grab a repair manual, you should own one. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs. Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

gotglasses

December 3, 2018

I just finished this job on my 1997 E420 W210 M119 engine. Had parts laying around for years while I got up the courage to tackle an $1,100 dealer job! No Sweat!

Everything went smoothly - your great write up was spot on. No need to move any engine components, plenty enough room to get the mounts out and in. Worst part is breaking loose the top 17mm bolt. I used a helpful special tool/ wrench with an offset that lets you get your ratchet clear of obstruction to break the bolt loose. I found that there was enough room to get a 3/8 drive ratchet and socket directly on the bolt. I did have to remove both bottom bolts to raise the engine. Those 13mm bolts are only an inch long so there is no wiggle room. I found a long bolt which I threaded in loosely to keep the engine in position while I replaced the other side. Oh - do not forget to replace the heat shield - I did !

This was a big improvement,the engine runs much smoother and an annoying rattle when idling in gear is gone as a bonus! Considering that the rattle could have been a catalytic converter I am very happy! The engine sits a good inch higher now so something may have been rubbing.

Thanks again for the great parts and all the guidance!

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the additional info and feedback. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Ron

March 24, 2018

I am preparing to perform this repair on my 1998 E430. Will I be able to pull the mounts out from the bottom without running into any obstructions ie exhaust, frame etc.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Yes. That is how it is done in the article. - Nick at Pelican Parts

daddio

January 24, 2018

i'm a little confused: you show the tab on the mount as on the bottom and then you talk about aligning it with the bracket which is on the top.do you flip the mount over? is the top of the mount the part with the silverish metal?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The top of the mount is the rubber side. - Nick at Pelican Parts

gaspa

January 14, 2018

engine support Mercedes210 with oil coming?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

With your vehicle info handy, give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Dilip

August 11, 2017

I need a cross member the one pointing with Pink Arrows on the attached picture that holds from Right & Left Lower Control Arm for Mercedes Benz W210 year 2000. Please confirm availability and price. Thank you

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I’m not the best with part numbers, I am the technical question person. Give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

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alan

April 6, 2017

will this motor mount guide work on my 1992 300se inline 6cyl. auto.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Article applies to Mercedes-Benz W210 (1996-03) - Nick at Pelican Parts

TwoTone

March 27, 2017

I have a 2001 W210 E55. I did this over the weekend and replaced spark plugs at the same time. Other sources recommended a thread locking additive to top bolt. My 2001, that is 16mm. Bottom bolt, go easy as they can snap off. By the way, it's a shame you don't offer the bottom bolt. I had to buy from competition. Would also be nice if you sold the offset wrench used for this application.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the feedback. We appreciate it. I will look in to the catalog not having those items. - Casey at Pelican Parts

kim

March 7, 2017

I am using W210 E320 but it is vibrating and they say its Engine mounting, but they suggest me to change the following parts,

Engine Mounting
Gear Box Mounting
Throat Censor,
gear box Brain

can you help me how to get them

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Mim

December 14, 2016

I am currently replacing the motor mounts on my 2009 E350 4Matic, after replacing front left & right axles - for some reason vibrations began after the latter of my mechanic. Will keep you posted.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

One of the axles may be binding. Very common for rebuilt units to stiffen up. - Nick at Pelican Parts

MrsFixIt

September 29, 2016

I'm interested in doing this repair, however, I'm a tad confused. The article says the "applicable models are 96-03", your responses to others with model questions say 96-97. Just to be sure, I have a 1999 e320 W210, will this article be appropriate? Thanks for your help.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I believe the application data was updated after I answered those questions. it should cover your vehicle. - Nick at Pelican Parts

roninpearland

April 15, 2016

Any comments please which are specific to motor mount removal/replace on my w164 2006 ML350 which has a very confined space? Thanks.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

We don't currently have that tech article. If we get a chance to perform the procedure, we will be sure to document it. I would grab a repair manual. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs. Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Bajwa

February 8, 2016

i have 2011 mercedes E350 bluetec. and i got the cede P157700.checked with dealer and they say its the electric motermount, i never seen electric motormounts in any car. can any one please help

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

That fault code is too long. Can you recheck it and resend the fault code? Then i can check if I have the info for it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Dan

November 16, 2015

Hi, would this procedure replacing engine mount on my 1999 W210 td be the same would like to know before ordering the parts.
Thanks

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

I am not sure of the differences on the diesel engines. We don't currently have that tech article. If we get a chance to perform the procedure, we will be sure to document it. I would grab a repair manual. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs. Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Pogi

August 3, 2015

I was working on a 99 E320. It is best to tackle the driver side from the top. You just need to move the Rubber PS Jose out of the way. On the passenger side, remove the airbox assembly and put auxiliary water put out of the way to get to the top bolt.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Thanks for the additional info and feedback. We appreciate it. - Nick at Pelican Parts

seabrace

May 14, 2015

I'm going to tackle the motor mounts on my 2001 E430 this weekend. After reading your article, I have one question. Do you access the top motor mount bolt 17mm from under the car or from the top of the car through the engine bay?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Pretty sure you can do it either way. I prefer to use a long extension and remove it from the top. Keeps my arms cleaner. :) - Nick at Pelican Parts

Njolopez

April 5, 2015

Can this instructions works for a mb c230k 2004 sport sedan?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Applicable Models: W210 E320 (1996-97) - Nick at Pelican Parts

Scot

September 5, 2014

How about on a 2000 E430?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The article applies to: W210 E320 (1996-97) - Nick at Pelican Parts

Jay

August 25, 2014

Have a 2004 , E320 sedan basic .Does the info you kindly provided for replacing the Engine mounts would also include my car?
Thx. In advance for your reply.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

We don't currently have that tech article. I would grab a repair manual. It will have the procedure, special tools and torque specs. Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Crackerjack mechanic

August 25, 2014

Can you damage a seal from jacking the engine too high?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Sure. If the axle pulls too hard on an axle seal. - Nick at Pelican Parts

ramsan

July 3, 2014

Nick I know you answered a couple of the "does this process fit my car" questions. I have a w210 e320, but it is a 2002. do these instructions not work for that one either?
Thanks for your help.

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

No, it does not. Only up to 1997. - Nick at Pelican Parts

HarryS3

June 25, 2014

I have a 2005 E320 CDI. Will the procedure be different than the steps you outlined?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

This tech article applies to: W210 E320 (1996-97) Your vehicle is not covered. It will be different. - Nick at Pelican Parts

EricSilver

May 20, 2014

I have a 2001 E430 4matic. The pictures look the same as my car. Will the process be the same?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

The article applies to: W210 E320 (1996-97). Your vehicle will be different, mostly the obstruction from the 4matic components. - Nick at Pelican Parts

Theizaza

February 18, 2014

I am looking for Parts

Mercedez Benz C280 202 1999 VIN 2020296F860586

Rings Set
Main Bearings
Big End Bearings
Gasket Set

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

Give our parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can help you find the right part. - Nick at Pelican Parts

dan

January 18, 2014

I have a 1996 E300 diesel. Is the engine mount replacement any different for that model?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

It will be different a this article applies to W210 E320 (1996-97). - Nick at Pelican Parts

oldirty88

September 24, 2013

I have a 1999 W202 C280 that I will be changing motor & transmission mounts on this weekend. On this model there is a heat sheild located behind the passenger side mount and looks like removal of the alternator is required. A few ?'s... How do I get the top bolt out of the passenger side mount, I'm not quite sure what's meant by "do one side at a time", and are there any comprehensive write ups for swapping mounts on the W202 m104 & m112 models?

Followup from the Pelican Staff:

You do not have to remove the heat shield directly on top of the passenger side mount but you do have to removed the heat shield protecting the idler arm. On the Mercedes Benz website it doesn't mention having to remove the alternator. Looks like one 10mm bolt and one 10mm nut hold it on. Unless you have the tools to support the entire engine you do one mount at a time. If you remove both mounts you will have to position the whole engine into place to properly mount it and that can be alot of work. Check the Pelican Tech Info Center to see if we have the procedure for your car. - Kerry at Pelican Parts

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