From tteazis_at_cbm.canon.com Wed Aug 13 08:02:48 1997
From: tteazis_at_cbm.canon.com
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 08:00:18 -0700
Subject: <E36> Korman Heavy Duty Transmission mount Kit installation
To: dale_at_unofficialbmw.com

This might be of interest to you for your Web Site.

Theo.

Hi all,

     Last weekend I installed the Korman Heavy Duty Transmission Mount Kit on 
     my '97 M3. It replaces the two softer stock mounts.
     
     First observation:
     To my disappointment, the Korman mounts do not seem to be of great quality. 
     They might be but they do not look like it to my untrained eyes. The rubber 
     is black, dirty with a lot of rubber savings on it. I expected 
     polyurethane(?) rubber. On the other hand, the rubber and screws have 
     larger diameter than the stock ones and it is made in Germany, if this 
     means anything.
     
     Installation:
     Jack up one side of the car at the front jack point. Put a jack stand 
     under a sturdy point to be safe. Use the second jack stand to support the 
     transmission. Do not allow the transmission to drop more that it when 
     everything is installed. Remove the two bolts (13mm) that attach the 
     mounts to the bar that the transmission mounts are attached to. Bend the 
     heat shield so that you can get to two of the bolts that attach the bar to 
     the car body. Remove the four bolts (13mm) that hold the bar. Remove the 
     two bolts (13mm, isn't 13 an unlucky number in Germany? This size is used 
     almost everywhere) that attach the mounts to the transmission.
     
     Since the new bolts are wider, you need to widen the stock mounting holes 
     on the transmission and bar. I user a 3/4" drill and I moved it around in 
     a circular motion. It does not take much, actually very little, to make 
     the new bolts fit.
     
     Before installing the new mounts, locate the two notches on the mounts and 
     the bumps on the bar. You will need to align them later. Install, but not 
     tighten yet, the bolt (17mm, better than 13...) that attach the mounts on 
     the transmission. Install the bar loosely. Align the mount notches on the 
     bumps on the bar (see?). Tighten the bolts holding the bar on the car body 
     and then install and tighten the bolts holding the mounts to the bar. 
     Tighten the bolt holding the mount on the transmission. Bend the heat 
     shield back.
     
     You are done. I used medium strength LockTite(spelling?) on the bolts 
     (anal...). The whole operation takes 1/2 - 1 hour depending on how many 
     prayers you have to do before drilling larger holes (really, not that bad).
     
     Result:
     I guess the transmission does not have as much play now during hard 
     cornering/acceleration... There is no noticeable change in vibration or 
     noise from the transmission. I guess it is one of these items that fall in 
     the "cheap insurance" category... Korman recommends that these mounts are 
     used together with the HD engine mounts. The HD engine mount price is MUCH 
     steeper. I'll wait on this one unless someone convinces me otherwise.
     
     Take care,
     Theo.
     '97 M3 (getting better with age...)