Does this look like a broken engine mount rubber?

[Carrotland AR]

1996 K-Series Roadsport. The engine mount rubbers are original. Doing a routine check today I spotted that the nearside engine mount rubber looks torn all the way round. Is this normal?

[MADMALC]

That is not fit for purpose, I would  replace it sooner rather than later.

[Paul McKenzie]

Steve,

You should replace both sides.  Mine's also a '96 car and I've replaced both twice or three times. The last time I noticed it on return from Spa, and it had also resulted in a broken engine mounting bracket which in turn put the weight of one side of the engine on the alternator strap.....which broke!

[Carrotland AR]

Paul, Malc, many thanks for your input.

Is it a simple job i.e. support the sump on a block of wood and a trolley jack. Unbolt and replace one side at a time? (I don't have an engine hoist to take the weight)

Or are there any pitfalls for the unwary?

[shn7]

Should be as simple as you've described.

[Nick Chan]

Steve, do one side at a time as you describe but leave all the bolts very loose on the chassis until both big bolts have started in their threads.  Very easy to do and doesn't take very long to get sorted.

[Carrotland AR]

Thanks Nick for the additional tip, just ordered two from Caterham parts.

[Paul McKenzie]

You might want to just slack off the two rear gearbox mounting bolts as well.

[Carrotland AR]

Super-quick 24 hour delivery from those Caterham Stores boys. All for £3.50 postage and packing, the Royal Mail charge alone was £3.12. Thanks chaps!

Fitted new mounts this afternoon, about an hour all in. Would have been easier if I had a bigger garage and could get round the car. 

Thought I'd publish a picture of the old ones, very scary and a warning to me to check more regularly!

Thanks again for your imput everyone, what a great place this is.