Engine Mount Replacement - '02 Maxima

[sweyers]

Hello everyone,
First of all, I'm new to the site, and have very little mechanical knowledge of cars, so please excuse my n00biness

My 2002 Maxima has obviously failing engine mounts as I have seen the engine physically move while someone else hit the gas and hold the brake at the same time. I have done a lot of research on their replacement, but have encountered a lot of conflicting information. I am tired of paying someone $100 an hour to fix my Max so I'm going to take a shot at it myself, along with a friend of mine who is an ex-mechanic.

Basically my questions are:
1. Am I setting myself up for failure by buying anything but OEM mounts? They are a LOT more money. I have heard a lot of conflicting opinions on this around the 'net.
2. If not, which of these brands should I choose/avoid? http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... ttype,5552
3. Finally, can I use manual trans. mounts? Will I lose anything by using MT mounts? Another conflicting point here.

Thank you SO MUCH in advance for any advice you can give!

[loystock]

Welcome to NICO.

Refer to the attached link, starting on page EM-62. It shows the engine mount locations. Check which type of mount applies to your car. Electronic engine mount is 'soft' at idle to reduce engine vibration transmitted to the car then stiffens at higher RPM (>1500). Shop around - IoS (Infiniti of Scottsdale a.k.a. infinitipartUSA.com) and Courtesy Nissan usually gives discounted OEM price.

I suggest you buy OEM part unless you know somebody who has satisfactoily used equivalent mount.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/2002/EM.pdf

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Ask your ex mechanic friend to tell you everthing about being safe with a jack and jacking
up a car

I have found that reading the floor shop manual (link above) and Chilton's thouroughly,
taking notes, and pre-planning will save a lot of aggrevation.

[sweyers]

Shop around - IoS (Infiniti of Scottsdale a.k.a. infinitipartUSA.com) and Courtesy Nissan usually gives discounted OEM price.

I suggest you buy OEM part unless you know somebody who has satisfactoily used equivalent mount.

Checked both, if I'm not mistaken for the parts I need they showed around $190 (Front) and $125 (Front Right).

Does anyone have experience with the brands available at RockAuto (DEA, Anchor, Beck Arnley etc)? Are they worth a shot or are they a bad case of "you get what you pay for"?

Ask your ex mechanic friend to tell you everthing about being safe with a jack and jacking
up a car

I have found that reading the floor shop manual (link above) and Chilton's thouroughly,
taking notes, and pre-planning will save a lot of aggrevation.

He said we should use an engine hoist for the job, as apparantly putting a jack under the oil pan like some tutorials say to do isn't the best idea.