What is the deal with motor mount failures?
The front motor mount (FMM) on the Neon has a somewhat undeserved reputation for failure. The motor mount isolator (p/n ATX – 4668182, MTX – 4668183) is circular in shape with two vee-shaped slots (see image here) in it. A web of rubber joins the point of the vee with the bottom lip of the circle. This web may tear under normal use, giving the appearance that the mount has failed. Note that this web was placed to facilitate the manufacturing process only, and is not a structural part of the mount design. Tearing of the bottom web does NOT mean that the mount needs to be replaced. Unless one of the upper flanges of the vee is torn, the mount will function normally. The OEM motor mount is somewhat soft, to control vibration. This allows the engine to move a noticeable amount, which aggravates the appearance of mount failure. The soft mount can allow wheel hop during hard launches. Performance drivers will benefit from installing inserts (Rex units, homemade inserts, or poured-urethane fi
