Dear Ed and Jeff,
I am having difficulty finding a rear motor mount for my 1986 Mitsubishi. Several mechanics had no luck finding one. I like the car as I am handicapped and can bend my leg to get in the car. We have a 1986 Honda but it is too high for me to lift my leg to get into. Apparently Mitsubishi discontinued that part. I would appreciate any suggestions. Also the car needs four new tires and a new battery soon. In 2006 we invested $5,000 into it for a transmission and some other repairs. The car runs well except for the vibration caused by the faulty motor mount. Please advise.
Nancy C., Baltimore
Ed: This problem occurs every once in awhile. Manufacturers normally provide access to repair parts for a period of 10 years. Aftermarket parts providers sometimes make parts for cars that were made in large numbers for a time after that. After that time, it is flip of the coin as to whether the parts can be found. The Internet has made finding obsolete parts a little easier. Many shops cannot take the time necessary to find these “hard to find” parts. This would be where I would start first. You could also check the online sites for some of the larger parts stores like NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, etc. I tried doing a search on the Internet for “Mitsubishi auto parts” and came up with a big list. I did look for a rear motor mount for several models and there was a listing. I did not know what model you have, so I could not go any further.
Jeff: I have to say that without knowing the make, model and engine size as well as transmission type it is hard to check for availability. I would try a company called Worldpac. They specialize in import auto parts and have a large supply network with warehouses across the country. They only sell to repair facilities, but, you can call a local CarQuest and they can check Worldpac for the motor mount. If you e-mail me the information to [email protected], we will try to locate a mount for you. As far as the tires are concerned I would suggest you visit a tire dealer that you trust and explain to them the type of driving you do and the amount of miles you drive per year to see what kind of tire fits your needs. I always caution people to never purchase a tire that won?t perform when they need it to. If you must drive when weather is at its worst then buy a tire that can handle it. Also you should purchase a tire that will last you about four years. Usually a tire will start to “deteriorate” after four years and will need to be replaced even if the tread is still “good”. So, don?t over-purchase either.
