Body mounts?

[Irishspring46]

So my car has 2 bad body mounts in the back. There’s one bad one on the driver side behind my rear tire (the actual body mount floor part is gone) and on the passenger side all the way back that mount is also gone (metal gone and all) is it ok to drive like this as long as all my other mounts are solid? I really really do not have time to do a frame off job right now. This isn’t a race car it’s just a weekend cruiser.

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

You don't have to replace them as a "frame off", unless you have some metal on the frame or body to replace.

 

[Irishspring46]

You don't have to replace them as a "frame off", unless you have some metal on the frame or body to replace.

I have metal that needs to be replaced. It’s gone

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Well, if it's gone and it's been driving for now, just keep an eye on things. Not the ideal but you'll notice body separation over time on seams, like where the bumper bolts up, etc.

 

[ck80]

So my car has 2 bad body mounts in the back. There’s one bad one on the driver side behind my rear tire (the actual body mount floor part is gone) and on the passenger side all the way back that mount is also gone (metal gone and all) is it ok to drive like this as long as all my other mounts are solid? I really really do not have time to do a frame off job right now. This isn’t a race car it’s just a weekend cruiser.

These questions make me think of the movie... there's still all the other body mounts.

But seriously, where it becomes an issue is hard driving and/or if you get in an accident. Our 88 monte carlo actually was attached to the frame by gravity, a RH #1, both #3s, and one other body mount.... and that was it. The 2s were sideways. The 6/7 where you've got issues.. unattached. The #4s didn't even have any metal around them... at all. As if you looked at a pretty little rubber puck after lifting the carpet, no metal aside from the frame.

And, someone had been driving that car like that before we bought it.

It's also why the air nibbler trimmed the firewall off above the floor pan and at the axillary base amd a whole new rear clip was brought in.

Every so often you used to see or hear of a car that detached from a body going around a corner or after a rise on the country roads from the local VFD up north, not so much a thing these days.

The longer you drive with damaged mounts the more stress you put on the remaining ones, and, if rainwater was not your friend as far as eroded bolt holes are concerned you run the risk of pulling through/collapsing additional mounts. Some say it's not new damage, just exposing it here stuff that needs repairs.

 

[pagrunt]

A solution plus Dixie has a fourm members discount code.

78-88 Rear Body Mount Bolt Pocket Kit | Dixie Restoration Depot

www.dixierestorationdepot.com

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Its best to fix structural rust issues ASAP.

 

[Supercharged111]

A solution plus Dixie has a fourm members discount code.

78-88 Rear Body Mount Bolt Pocket Kit | Dixie Restoration Depot

www.dixierestorationdepot.com

Didn't know that was a thing, I'll definitely need that for mine when I do a frame swap. Nice to know it exists.

 

[Maverick's_Monte]

Without knowing your ability or budget, but, speaking from experience... I tried tackling this job years ago with friends who had done this work before and we stopped before we made a mess of my car. We broke two bolts trying to spin them out in order to upgrade the mounts to poly. I ended up finding a metal/body repair guy to do the work and he replaced all the body mounts with the energy suspension poly kit. I'm not saying its impossible to do yourself and also not doubting your ability, but, this is one of those projects that can turn into a pandoras box of problems real quick.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

The car is compromised in its current shape and should not be operated until its fixed , but opening it up will be a can of worms with that amount ofbknown rust likely means more hidden rust, its a paradox. Best to plan on major body repairs soon.