5 Benefits of Rubber Engine Mounts

Rubber engine mounts are imperative to the function of a vehicle. Without them, all the disturbing frequencies an engine produces will be transferred to the frame and make it prone to increased wear and damage. Engine mounts are designed to absorb the disturbing frequencies that the engine produces from transferring to the chassis or frame. The result is keeping all connected components and sensors free from excessive vibration and damage.

While engine mounts can be made in a variety of materials, rubber is the best option, but understanding the correct rubber to use and when is key. Whether you are purchasing standard mounts or you are getting custom rubber engine mounts created, continue reading for five benefits of using rubber engine mounts. 

1. Noise and Vibration Dampening

It is no surprise that engines are loud and cause some pretty heavy vibrations, there are quite a few pistons and inertial imbalances being created. This is one of the reasons why using a good quality engine mount is so important. If you pick the wrong engine mount you could end up with a noisy and shuddering vehicle. Pick the wrong stiffness or spring rate and you actually could be amplifying the input. Beyond being unpleasant, vibration quickly becomes a safety issue and can damage the engine.

Natural Rubber is the best material for noise and vibration control due to its excellent resilience.   If the mount will be in constant contact with oils and fuels, go with neoprene. It has excellent vibration dampening properties and is perfect for auto applications. 

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2. Balancing Energy Absorption and Motion

It’s important that an engine mount strikes a balance between energy absorption and allowing motion. This balance contributes to how much an engine vibrates. For example, if the engine mount does not allow energy to transfer then the engine will bounce and vibrate more. On the other hand, too much allowance and the engine may become more prone to damage from excessive movement. This is why it is important to find a material that provides both stability and cushioning. 

There are many different rubber options to choose from when it comes to providing the best balance. Natural rubber and neoprene both offer a great combination of both firmness and support. Even then, most rubber materials offer just the right amount of stability that you are looking for in an engine mount. 

3. Less Downtime

Anyone in charge of machinery knows that downtime equals money lost. Because of this, it’s important that you utilize only the best parts possible. Molded rubber engine mounts keep equipment in service longer. When a machine is properly isolated, less damage occurs from excess vibration and movement. Not only is it important that you purchase high quality engine mounts, but that you also receive an analysis first. An analysis will determine exactly what kind of engine mount you need for your specific application. 

There is no maintenance necessary when it comes to using rubber motor mounts. All that is required is the occasional replacement when the mount becomes too old. Most rubber materials are made to last a long time so that you don’t have to worry about replacing them for years and years to come. Between reduced vibration and long-lasting materials, you can worry less about downtime and more about what really matters. 

4. Cost Effective and Easy to Install

Using a rubber engine mount will not only make the mount itself last longer, but will also make your engine last longer. With proper isolation from an engine mount you can be sure that you will save tons of money on engine replacements and other repairs. The easy to install design also saves you money on labor and gets your machine up and running in no time.

Rubber is a cost-effective material and allows for optimum vibration isolation. Without proper isolation, the engine will shake more vigorously and break down from wear and tear much quicker. To keep your engine running smoothly for years, be sure to use a rubber engine mount. Natural rubber and neoprene are among the most durable rubber materials. 

5. Resistance to a Variety of Conditions

Rubber has the unique ability to resist all kinds of conditions. Take a look at some of what rubber can resist:

• Tear and abrasion
• High and low temperatures
• Acid and chemicals
• Flame
• Oil and ozone
• Water and weather

While you can find rubber materials with all different kinds of resistances, you may not be able to find one with global durability. Typically, each type of rubber has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, natural rubber has very high temperature and tear resistance, but low flame resistance. 

If you are getting an engine mount custom made then you may want to consider what kinds of conditions the mount will be in. An engine mount that will be placed in a marine vehicle should be water resistant whereas a mount in an automobile should be oil resistant. 

Custom and Standard Rubber Part Services

No matter what kind of rubber motor mount you are looking for, you can find it at RPM Industrial Rubber Parts. If we don’t carry it, then we will make it for you. Our team of engineers is ready to help you step-by-step through the customization process. From choosing materials to designing the shape and size of the part, we have a plan to get you the molded rubber part you need.

We also sell a variety of standard parts at RPM. Here are some of the parts we sell:

• Grommets
• Anti vibration pads
• Extrusions and tubing
• Center bonded mounts
• Bushings
• Small industrial engine mounts

If you are ready to start designing your custom built rubber part or to purchase a standard part, give our team a call at (888) 842-5668 or contact us online.