FORD Explorer Transmission mount replacement

The cost varies by year, engine size, and your location. Use the estimator above for an accurate breakdown of parts and labour specific to your FORD Explorer.

Common parts for this repair include: Transmission mount.

Transmission mount replacement on a FORD Explorer typically takes 1–3 hours of labour at a garage.

For a FORD Explorer, transmission mount replacement is typically needed engine mounts are replaced on failure; typical lifespan is 80,000–100,000 miles.

Engine mounts are not expensive in parts — a standard rubber mount for most FORD models costs $30–$100; hydraulic mounts (fluid-filled, used on comfort-oriented vehicles) cost $80–$200. Labour is 1–2 hours per mount. Be cautious if all mounts are recommended simultaneously without clear evidence of failure — worn mounts are usually visible (cracked or collapsed rubber, oil leaking from a hydraulic mount). Ask to see the failed mount before agreeing to replacement. Transmission mounts fail independently and at different rates from engine mounts.

An independent is the right choice for engine mount replacement on most FORD models. The job requires an engine support bar (to support the engine while the mount is removed) — confirm the independent has this tool. No FORD-specific software is required. Hydraulic mount replacement on some higher-end FORD models with complex engine bay layouts takes longer; an independent familiar with your specific model will have a realistic labour estimate. Dealer pricing for engine mounts is significantly higher for the same outcome.

Quality aftermarket mounts from Febi Bilstein, Meyle, Corteco, Hutchinson and SKF are appropriate for most FORD models and are widely used by independent garages. These brands manufacture mounts to OEM hardness and compliance specifications. For performance or turbocharged FORD variants, uprated polyurethane mounts are available that reduce engine movement more than OEM rubber — they transmit more vibration into the cabin but are preferred by drivers who want sharper throttle response. For a standard road-use FORD, OEM-equivalent rubber mounts are the correct choice.

Engine mounts prevent the engine from moving excessively and vibrating into the chassis — a failed mount causes vibration through the steering wheel and gear lever, a thud when selecting Drive or Reverse, and visible engine rock when revved in neutral. Transmission mounts perform the same function for the gearbox. They wear at different rates and are not always replaced together. A proper diagnosis involves rocking the engine by hand with the vehicle on a lift to confirm which mount has lost its rubber compliance — this takes only a few minutes and should precede any replacement recommendation.

Transmission mount replacement requires specialist tools, precise torque settings and — for timing work — the risk of catastrophic engine damage if done incorrectly. This is not a job for a home mechanic. Use a qualified garage and ask them to show the old parts.