Engine Mount: Description and Operation

The Saturn powertrain mounting system is called a torque axis mount system (TAMS). It features four mounts:
- Two to support the weight of the powertrain
- Two to control powertrain torque motions.
The transaxle mount is located beneath the transaxle, on the left side of the vehicle. The mount supports the weight of the transaxle with a conventional compression pad, assists in controlling pitch with two fore/aft bumpers, limits lateral motion to the left with a bumper, and prevents vertical rebound with another bumper. The mount attaches directly to the transaxle and attaches to the cradle through a bracket bonded to the compression pad.
The engine mount is located on the right side of the vehicle high on the powertrain, between the engine front cover and the right side body midrail. The mount consists of two fore/aft bumpers to assist in controlling pitch, a shear pad to support the weight of the engine, and two lateral bumpers to limit side to side motion. The mount attaches to the engine front cover with an aluminum insert and attaches to the body midrail through a bracket that stands off of the midrail.
engine strut is located beneath the engine crankshaft pulley on the right side of the vehicle. It consists of a torque strut, a bracket attached to the engine, and another bracket attached to the cradle. The purpose of the torque strut is to limit powertrain vibration and pitch.
The transaxle strut is located slightly above and forward of the transaxle on the left side of the vehicle. It consists of a torque strut, a bracket attached to the transaxle, and another bracket attached to the cradle. The purpose of the torque strut is to limit powertrain vibration and pitch.