Engine Mount Locations: Front, Rear, Transmission & Torque Strut Explained
Understanding which mount is where tells you whether your shop quote is fair and whether DIY is viable. Labour time varies 2-4x between the easiest and hardest positions.
How Many Engine Mounts Does a Car Have?
3
Standard FWD
2 engine + 1 transmission
4
FWD V6 / Performance
2 engine + 1 transmission + 1 torque strut
5-6
Some platforms
Additional support mounts on complex engine bays
Cost & Labour by Mount Position
| Position | Total |
|---|---|
| Front Driver (Left) Engine Mount | $130-$300 |
| Front Passenger (Right) Engine Mount | $130-$460 |
| Rear Transmission Mount | $200-$440 |
| Torque Strut / Dog Bone (Upper) | $110-$330 |
Front Driver (Left) Engine Mount
Type: Usually rubber · Failure mode: Gradual sag, cracks visible
Common symptoms
Increased vibration at idle, slight engine pull to one side
Notes
Bears the most static engine weight. Usually rubber across all vehicle classes. Most accessible front mount position on FWD vehicles.
Front Passenger (Right) Engine Mount
Type: Rubber on I4, often hydraulic on V6+ · Failure mode: Rubber: cracks/sag | Hydraulic: internal fluid leak
Common symptoms
Dashboard shake, startup vibration (hydraulic), clunk shifting to D
Notes
Most commonly the hydraulic mount on V6/V8 FWD vehicles (Camry V6, Accord V6, Odyssey). Wide price range because hydraulic parts cost 3-4x more than rubber.
Rear Transmission Mount
Type: Usually rubber · Failure mode: Gradual collapse, sometimes sudden crack
Common symptoms
Clunk shifting P to D or R, transmission shudder, driveshaft vibration
Notes
Harder access due to rear positioning. Often requires engine support bar or transmission jack to remove safely. Most shops charge 1.5-2x the labour of a front mount.
Torque Strut / Dog Bone (Upper)
Type: Rubber (sometimes polyurethane upgrade) · Failure mode: Bushing deterioration, bracket crack
Common symptoms
Engine rocking visibly on throttle, clunk on acceleration, harsh engine-rock on cold start
Notes
Smallest and cheapest mount in most configurations. Most accessible; often just 2-3 bolts. No engine support required on most vehicles. Common first DIY mount job.
Engine Mount vs Transmission Mount
| Attribute | Engine Mount | Transmission Mount |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Either side of engine block | Under gearbox / crossmember |
| Function | Support engine weight + absorb torque | Keep driveshaft angle consistent |
| Failure symptom | Vibration at idle, dashboard shake | Clunk shifting P-D-R, rear thud |
| AllData hours | 0.8-1.4 hr | 1.4-2.1 hr |
| Typical cost | $130-$460 | $200-$440 |
| DIY difficulty | Moderate (3-6/10) | Hard (7/10), needs engine support |
Symptom-to-Position Diagnostic Matrix
| Symptom | Trigger | Most Likely Position |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration at idle, seat / steering wheel | Engine running, stationary | Front driver or passenger (rubber sag) |
| Startup vibration, clears when warm | Cold start | Front passenger hydraulic (fluid leak) |
| Clunk shifting P to D or R | Gear engagement | Transmission mount or torque strut |
| Visible engine rocking on throttle | Hard acceleration | Torque strut / dog bone (primary suspect) |
| Dashboard or cabin vibration at highway speed | 50-80 mph | Front passenger hydraulic (failing) |
| Clunk over bumps, not shifts | Road impact | Could be strut mount, not engine mount |
| Metal-on-metal scraping in engine bay | Any driving | Collapsed mount, immediate attention needed |
Replacing One vs All at the Same Time
When labour time overlaps because the engine bay is already partially disassembled, replacing adjacent mounts at the same time can save a future return visit. If the front driver and front passenger mounts are both accessible with the same engine support setup, the incremental cost to replace both is just the parts cost for the second mount (no additional labour setup).
The transmission mount is usually a separate job with different access requirements. Bundling it with a front engine mount rarely saves labour unless the transmission is already partially lowered for another repair. See the replace-all decision framework.