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Suspension
- Bushings & Mounts (294)
- Camber / Caster Kits (25)
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- Subframe (51)
- Suspension Install Kits (16)
- Sway Bar (142)
- Suspension Tools (51)
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The motor mount area on a subframe is one of those easily-forgotton areas that may be hiding a serious problem. The subframe on the E46 has a gusset ('ear') welded on for the motor mounts. These gussets take the stress of the motor mount as the engine torques (more upgrades = more torque = more stress). Worn motor mounts only transfer more stress to the subframe. Unfortunately, the sheetmetal will fatigue over time even though the gusset is reinforced from the factory. Check for cracks along the welds and an uneven plane from the subframe to the gusset. A total failure of the guesset will shift your engine to the side and forward, taking out many other components along the way and leading to a very costly repair.