Body mounting rubbers

[SurferUK]

I've never owned a vehicle with a separate chassis before. While crawling around underneath it I noticed the rubbers that go between the frame and the body.

Do these ever need changing? Most rubber parts do over time in my experience.

Anyone here changed them? Is it a difficult job?

 

[maxdef]

The body mount cushions are in 4 spots along the frame, and after a while it's not uncommon they become stiff and cracked. I noticed them on mine too and recently started swapping them out. I actually have an order coming with the rear half of bushings. They aren't cheap but if yours are shot it is likely worth replacing them.

 

[SurferUK]

The body mount cushions are in 4 spots along the frame, and after a while it's not uncommon they become stiff and cracked. I noticed them on mine too and recently started swapping them out. I actually have an order coming with the rear half of bushings. They aren't cheap but if yours are shot it is likely worth replacing them.

Thanks! Is it difficult?

 

[AuSeeker]

The rubber body mount bushings would have to be pretty badly deteriorated, as in missing chunks, before I would brother to replacing them, they aren't part of the suspension, they only isolate the frame from the body to prevent road vibrations, etc. from being transmitted to the body, so even if they're slightly cracked and a little harder than when new they will still do the job they were designed for, they are pretty hard rubber to begin with.

 

[maxdef]

It is kind of difficult if the inner sleeve if there is rust (on the front, my driver side bolt needed to be cut out after all the exposure over the years). Depending on how easy it is to access the bolts at each spot determines half the battle.

It is definitely not something you need to replace, as evidenced by how few people have seemingly done it on this forum, but if they are cracked, they are old. As I want to drive this for many more years, I've happily taken on the process of upgrades even for the small stuff, like the condenser frame mount bushings lol. With the best online discount, you'll pay around $35-45 per bushing for OEM.

 

[SurferUK]

It is kind of difficult if the inner sleeve if there is rust (on the front, my driver side bolt needed to be cut out after all the exposure over the years). Depending on how easy it is to access the bolts at each spot determines half the battle.

It is definitely not something you need to replace, as evidenced by how few people have seemingly done it on this forum, but if they are cracked, they are old. As I want to drive this for many more years, I've happily taken on the process of upgrades even for the small stuff, like the condenser frame mount bushings lol. With the best online discount, you'll pay around $35-45 per bushing for OEM.

The rubber body mount bushings would have to be pretty badly deteriorated, as in missing chunks, before I would brother to replacing them, they aren't part of the suspension, they only isolate the frame from the body to prevent road vibrations, etc. from being transmitted to the body, so even if they're slightly cracked and a little harder than when new they will still do the job they were designed for, they are pretty hard rubber to begin with.

Thanks guys I wasn't sure if they were a long-term maintenance item or not, as you say it doesn't look like many people have changed them!

 

[Bundutrailer]

The rubber body mount bushings would have to be pretty badly deteriorated, as in missing chunks, before I would brother to replacing them, they aren't part of the suspension, they only isolate the frame from the body to prevent road vibrations, etc. from being transmitted to the body, so even if they're slightly cracked and a little harder than when new they will still do the job they were designed for, they are pretty hard rubber to begin with.

Interstate take mechanic says if I want another 100k miles replace now for cracks are showing. Car is smooth even offroad never had to separate body from chassis wondering who has done this here and experience. At 95k miles, V6, 2009 model.

 

[xtremewlr]

Interstate take mechanic says if I want another 100k miles replace now for cracks are showing. Car is smooth even offroad never had to separate body from chassis wondering who has done this here and experience. At 95k miles, V6, 2009 model.

I'd say your mechanic is trying to get more money out of you for a repair that isn't needed. I would be really surprised if the body mount bushings were bad at 95k miles. I have over 330k miles on mine and it still has the original body mount bushings. Find a new mechanic, this one is trying to rip you off.

 

[Bundutrailer]

I'd say your mechanic is trying to get more money out of you for a repair that isn't needed. I would be really surprised if the body mount bushings were bad at 95k miles. I have over 330k miles on mine and it still has the original body mount bushings. Find a new mechanic, this one is trying to rip you off.

Th ask for the feedback thought it was extreme. Anybody replaced these here? Experiences?

 

[xtremewlr]

Th ask for the feedback thought it was extreme. Anybody replaced these here? Experiences?

Are you still wanting to replace them, even after being told you most likely don't need to? Post some pics of some of the body mounts. Like I said, they probably don't need replacing.

They aren't super difficult to do. There is a through bolt with nut, a top bushing and bottom bushing with a large washer at each end. If you do one at a time, you can replace them without having to worry too much with supporting the body. You might need to jack the body up slightly to make room for the new mount. This can be done with a floor jack and a couple pieces of 2x4.

The biggest headache is removing front and rear bumpers to get to the body mounts on those corners and interior trim to pull back the carpet where the body mounts are directly under the cab.

 

[Bundutrailer]

Are you still wanting to replace them, even after being told you most likely don't need to? Post some pics of some of the body mounts. Like I said, they probably don't need replacing.

They aren't super difficult to do. There is a through bolt with nut, a top bushing and bottom bushing with a large washer at each end. If you do one at a time, you can replace them without having to worry too much with supporting the body. You might need to jack the body up slightly to make room for the new mount. This can be done with a floor jack and a couple pieces of 2x4.

The biggest headache is removing front and rear bumpers to get to the body mounts on those corners and interior trim to pull back the carpet where the body mounts are directly under the cab.

Thanks for the feedback