🔧 CX-5 - Engine Mount Replacement

Replacing the engine mounts on your CX-5 involves safely supporting the engine, removing the worn mount hardware, and installing new mounts so the engine sits correctly again. Bad mounts can cause vibration, clunks when shifting, rough idle feel, or excessive engine movement.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing any mount. Never let the engine hang by hoses, wiring, exhaust, or the transmission.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands on solid ground. Never work under your CX-5 supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before working near the right-side engine mount area to reduce electrical short risk.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool completely before starting. Turbocharged engines keep exhaust and engine bay parts hot for a long time.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen more than one mount at a time unless the engine and transmission are properly supported.
• ⚠️ A torque wrench is required. A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so mounts are not loose or over-stressed.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch extension set
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb
• Flat trim clip remover
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wood block 2x6-inch minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Right engine mount - Qty: 1
• Rear engine roll stopper mount - Qty: 1
• Left transmission mount - Qty: 1
• Engine mount fastener kit - Qty: 1
• Plastic splash shield clips - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your CX-5 on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool fully.
• Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable. Move it aside so it cannot spring back onto the battery post.
• Use a paint marker to mark the current position of each mount before removal. This helps keep alignment close during reassembly.
• Replace one mount at a time. This keeps the engine positioned safely and makes the job easier.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Secure the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to lift the front of your CX-5.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and give the vehicle a small shake to confirm it is stable.
• Keep the floor jack nearby because it will be used to support the engine.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses and mechanic gloves.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the splash shield bolts.
• Use a flat trim clip remover to remove the plastic clips.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside.
• Keep clips sorted by location.

Step 3: Support the Engine

• Place a wood block 2x6-inch minimum on the pad of the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Position the wood block under the engine oil pan area.
• Raise the jack just until the wood touches the oil pan and supports the engine lightly.
• Do not lift the vehicle by the oil pan. The jack is only there to hold the engine’s weight.
• Lift only until snug.

Step 4: Replace the Right Engine Mount

• The right engine mount sits at the passenger-side upper engine bay area.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any small brackets or retainers blocking mount access.
• Use a paint marker to mark the mount position on the body bracket and engine bracket.
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the mount through-bolt or center fastener.
• Use a 14mm socket or 17mm socket to remove the mount-to-body bolts.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the mount-to-engine bracket bolts.
• Raise or lower the floor jack slightly until the mount slides out without forcing it.
• Install the new right engine mount in the same position as your paint marks.
• Start all bolts by hand first. This means threading them in with your fingers to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket to snug the mount fasteners, but do not fully tighten yet.
• Lower or raise the engine slightly with the floor jack until the mount sits naturally without twisting.
• Use a torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb to tighten the right mount fasteners to OEM specification for your CX-5’s fastener size. If using new OEM-style fasteners, follow the torque sheet included with the mount kit.
• Do not final-torque the mount while the engine is lifted too high.

Step 5: Replace the Rear Engine Roll Stopper Mount

• The rear roll stopper mount is underneath, toward the back of the engine/transmission area. A roll stopper limits engine rocking during acceleration.
• Use a paint marker to mark the mount position before removal.
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the center through-bolt.
• Use a 17mm socket or 19mm socket to remove the bracket bolts from the subframe side.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the bolts from the engine/transmission side.
• Adjust the floor jack slightly if the bolt is pinched. A pinched bolt means the engine weight is pressing on it.
• Remove the old rear mount.
• Install the new rear engine roll stopper mount.
• Start all bolts by hand first.
• Use a 17mm socket or 19mm socket to snug the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb to tighten the rear mount fasteners to OEM specification for your CX-5’s fastener size or the torque sheet included with the mount kit.
• Do not pry on rubber.

Step 6: Replace the Left Transmission Mount

• The left mount supports the transmission side of the powertrain.
• Move the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum and wood block 2x6-inch minimum so it lightly supports the transmission case, not the plastic pan or wiring.
• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove any air duct, bracket, or cover blocking access.
• Use a paint marker to mark the mount’s position.
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the mount center fastener.
• Use a 14mm socket or 17mm socket to remove the mount-to-body bolts.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the mount-to-transmission bracket bolts.
• Raise or lower the floor jack slightly until the mount can be removed without force.
• Install the new left transmission mount.
• Start every bolt by hand before using tools.
• Use a 17mm socket to snug all fasteners.
• Use a torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb to tighten the left mount fasteners to OEM specification for your CX-5’s fastener size or the torque sheet included with the mount kit.

Step 7: Recheck Mount Alignment

• Use the floor jack to gently settle the engine and transmission to their normal resting position.
• Check that the paint marks are close to their original positions.
• Use a flashlight if available to inspect that no hoses, wiring, or brackets are pinched.
• If a bolt hole looks pulled sideways, loosen the fasteners slightly with the correct 14mm socket, 17mm socket, or 19mm socket, reposition the engine with the jack, then retighten.

Step 8: Reinstall Removed Shields and Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to reinstall any brackets, retainers, air ducts, or covers removed earlier.
• Raise the lower splash shield into place.
• Use a flat trim clip remover or your fingers to reinstall plastic splash shield clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the splash shield bolts.
• Tighten splash shield bolts snug only. Do not overtighten plastic shield fasteners.

Step 9: Reconnect the Battery

• Use a 10mm socket to reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Make sure the terminal is fully seated and snug.
• If the infotainment screen or windows need reset after battery disconnect, cycle the ignition on and allow systems to wake up for about 30 seconds before starting.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your CX-5 slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle. Watch for abnormal shaking, clunks, or contact between the engine and nearby parts.
• With your foot firmly on the brake, shift from Park to Reverse, then Drive. The engine should move slightly, not jump.
• Take a short, gentle test drive. Listen for knocking during light acceleration and braking.
• After the test drive, recheck the mount areas visually for shifted hardware or loose brackets.
• If the battery was disconnected, the auto window function may need relearn. Fully lower and raise each window using its switch, holding the switch for 2 seconds at the top.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $850-$1,500+ (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$850 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.