JTroy

Thanks 2late4u. My mechanic replaced a lower motor mount and I drove the car. It seemed about 80% better, but after an hour of driving the noise came back. I checked the operation of the motor mounts myself and found the rubber in the upper right (pass side) was indeed destroyed. I brought it back to my mechanic and he replaced it for ~$132. Car is running fine now. I may go ahead and get the others replaced.

2late4u - yes, that's my plan. Thanks!

Having a similar issue with my 2009 V6 FWD. Noise coming from right side engine compartment only when in gear. Had my mechanic drive it and he agreed it sounded like transmission issue. Brought it to dealer and they said it's a "completely destroyed" engine mount and gave me an estimate of almost $900. I had the car towed back to my mechanic ($900 for an engine mount? Really?) Mechanic says he has no idea what the dealer is talking about; there is a crack in one of the engine mounts but there's no way it causing all that noise. Thoughts?

2009 SXT with Performance Package. While installing my 3-season wheels I investigated my suspicion that the front brakes seemed to be doing most of the stopping. With the ignition in the "ON" position, and the brake pedal pressed all the way down, I can still manhandle both rear wheels into rotating (not so with the front - they seem to be working, after having replaced one seized caliper last month). I did bleed all four brakes after the front caliper replacement, and this problem was occurring before the front caliper replacement. I would appreciate any guidance or suggestions.

Turns out my KENWOOD KFC-WS253 10 INCH SUBWOOFER (not the greatest, but OK) 10" sub has a top mounting depth of 5 9/16", which is a little too deep for building a box to fit under the rear compartment. So I used a box I had already built and mounted it behind the pax side rear seat, and it SOUNDS GREAT! I didn't realize how much I missed that sub!!

@Roadrunner... Did you ever do any more research on your stereo system? I have an '09 SXT w/o Infinity system and I just installed an amp and subwoofer myself. I posted some info in this forum (I forget in what thread at the moment) but I included some wiring details. Auto manufacturers are making it more difficult to upgrade your car audio systems as a DIY. Once I figured out (trial and error) a way to install (and turn on) the amp it was relatively easy.

Installing amps and subwoofers used to be easier before computers took control of everything lectronic! I have the premium convenience package, non-Infinity. I've had my Lanzar 6200 amp lying around since I got the Journey, so the last couple of days I did some installing. Didn't want to mess up the bluetooth, steering wheel controls, or other accessory connections, so I bought a 2-channel speaker line to RCA converter. I used T-taps to tap into the rear speaker wires behind the head unit, and ran the patch cords along the passenger side floor under the carpet. I ran power from the battery lead at the fuse box, and ran it just inside the driver side fender. From there I punched a small hole in the grommet through which the main wiring harness enters the cabin, and ran the power line along the driver's side under the carpet. The amp fits beautifully behind the rear seats. (I have 5 seating, not 7.) I mounted it to the front wall of the luggage bin with bolts, and zip tied it to the carpet. Remote turn-on notes: I could not identify a switched fuse in the fuse box, and wound up running the remote turn on wire to the switched accessory outlet under the radio. (What a PITA!) For now I'm using my 10" Kenwood sub in a box I built, but I am planning on building a box to fit under the boards of the luggage compartment. Outer measurements approx. 5 3/4" x 12 3/4" x 26". Have to figure out if I want the subwoofer box under the luggage cover, or if i want the speaker to have open exposure to the cabin airspace. I couldn't find a wiring diagram for the speakers, and after removing both rear doors only to discover that the wires on both sides are identically colored, I called Crutchfield, from whom I bought the sub. They gave me this info: Right Rear: + green w/lite green stripe - green w/purple stripe Left Rear: + gray w/lite green stripe - gray w/dark green stripe Right Front: + green w/purple stripe - green w/lite green stripe Left Rear: + gray w/violet stripe - gray w/yellow stripe I took a few pics if anyone's interested.

I have the premium convenience package, non-Infinity. I've had my Lanzar 6200 amp lying around since I got the Journey, so the last couple of days I did some installing. Didn't want to mess up the bluetooth, steering wheel controls, or other accessory connections, so I bought a 2-channel speaker line to RCA converter. I used T-taps to tap into the rear speaker wires behind the head unit, and ran the patch cords along the passenger side floor under the carpet. I ran power from the battery lead at the fuse box, and ran it just inside the driver side fender. From there I punched a small hole in the grommet through which the main wiring harness enters the cabin, and ran the power line along the driver's side under the carpet. The amp fits beautifully behind the rear seats. (I have 5 seating, not 7.) I mounted it to the front wall of the luggage bin with bolts, and zip tied it to the carpet. Remote turn-on notes: I could not identify a switched fuse in the fuse box, and wound up running the remote turn on wire to the switched accessory outlet under the radio. (What a PITA!) For now I'm using my 10" Kenwood sub in a box I built, but I am planning on building a box to fit under the boards of the luggage compartment. Outer measurements approx. 5 3/4" x 12 3/4" x 26". I couldn't find a wiring diagram for the speakers, and after removing both rear doors only to discover that the wires on both sides are identically colored, I called Crutchfield, from whom I bought the sub. They gave me this info: Right Rear: + green w/lite green stripe - green w/purple stripe Left Rear: + gray w/lite green stripe - gray w/dark green stripe Right Front: + green w/purple stripe - green w/lite green stripe Left Rear: + gray w/violet stripe - gray w/yellow stripe I took a few pics if anyone's interested.

I'm getting General Altimax Arctic 225/70/16's mounted on steel wheels from TireRack. They're giving either $50 or $25 gift cards for certain sets of 4. I was going to order Firestone Winterforce tires, but I've read better reviews about the General Altimax Arctics. I'm not getting TPMS sensors. My Journey has the 19" wheels now, so it should be an interesting difference going to the 16's. I'll be putting them on as late in the season as I can get away with.

I just ordered a K&N Filter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AP8EQW/ref=ox_ya_os_product ...and a recharge kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029WYEY/ref=ox_ya_os_product And I noticed that, at the recommended pressure (34psi +/- 0.5), my tires are wearing more on edges than in the center: Driver Front Pax Front outer center center inner inner center center outer 5.8/32 6.4/32 6.4/32 5.4/32 5.1/32 5.8/32 5.8/32 5.4/32 Driver Rear Pax Rear (Replaced under warranty 5 mo's ago) outer center center inner inner center center outer 5.8/32 6.4/32 6.4/32 5.4/32 9.0/32 9.3/32 9.3/32 9.0/32 I'm going to run them at 36psi. I just rotated them in X pattern. Next time I will start rotating them in a forward cross pattern.

Which Geolanders do you use? And I assume you like them. Is your Journey FWD or AWD?

I've noticed that the weatherstripping is not what I'd call "heavy duty".

I'm sorry to hear about all the complaints. I'm pretty picky, and this is the first American Car I have owned. So far the only problem I have had is the iPod and radio module crapping out, and the dealer replaced it with an upgrade at no cost. The dealer also replaced a tire that was damaged by a piece of metal. Now, it's no Honda or Subaru when it comes to handling, but it's great on the highway and overall I'm pleased. Perhaps part of the reason it seems OK is that I got the SXT with the performance package- so it has the larger engine and "performance" suspension. Oh, the only real complaint is the tire size. I didn't realize before I bought it that 225/55/19 size is as rare as the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat.

The exterior pillars that have black decals stuck to them tend to "fade to gray". I have tried several waxes and cleaners to "re-black" them. Today I tried black shoe polish and it's the most successful test yet; shiny and black! I'll let you know if there are any problems or if it doesn't last.

I've had my 2009 Journey SXT since May '08 and I really do like the car. 25,600 so far and not many complaints. I just replaced my front rotors and pads, and cleaned up the rears. Now I'm looking for tires and am running into the Kumho/Dodge bed-partners problem. If I had known when I bought the car... I would have gotten a different size wheel. I did have one tire damaged by a large metal shard, and the dealer replaced it no charge - I have the tire warranty. I will be getting winter wheels/tires set soon, size 225/65/17. Any other suggestions?

Follow Up: I brought my Journey to the dealer and stated that I was not going to pay anything, but due to number of brakes issues I wanted them to inspect the brakes. (I had already inspected the front brakes and found the driver's side pads worn to the wear indicator, and the pax side had about 3/16" left.) When I picked the car up I was ready for a confrontation about paying for the inspection. To my pleasant surprise, they did not try to charge me and also gave me some helpful information... (besides the fact that the calipers and slide pins were working smoothly)... Apparently the electronic traction control system engages even when your foot is not on the brakes - you can supposedly feel this as a "lift" in the gas pedal while driving. Through this action one side can wear more then the other. I was also told the the common brake issues with Journeys have been traced to some bad batches of brake rotors that were not tempered properly, so they pretty much melted like butter on a hot griddle. When customers had them replaced, many of them got replaced with the same bad batch of rotors, so some customers got 2 or 3 sets of bad rotors in a row. Truth? Who knows, but my car has gone 25,500 miles and this is my first set of replacement pads (will install Monday). I also chose to replace the rotors. Got the NAPA Premiums, part number 48880683 for $46.30 each at my local NAPA. Also bought Wagner ThermoQuiet pads for $57.99 at Advance Auto Parts. right now they're having a rebate offer - $15 per pair, so my net cost is $42.99. New front brakes for $135.59 plus tax.

I got my "09 Journey SXT with performance wheel and suspension package in June '08. Overall I'm very pleased with the car, which is saying something as this is the first American car I have owned/leased. (Previously Hondas and Subarus). I have 25,000 miles on it and just inspected the front brakes due to what I suspected was a wear-indicator on the driver's side front pad. Those pads are shot and need replacing, however the passenger side front pads still have plenty of life on them. I've read LOTS of complaints about the Journey brakes, and although mine seem to have PLENTY of braking power, I am a bit concerned about the uneven wear (comparing driver to pax sides). Does anyone have information on the diagnostics of Journey's continual brake issues? Are the caliper pistons bad, scoring, sticking? Are the slider pins sticking?