Transmission/Rear Engine Mount Collapsed?

[TJMart]

I ran into the issue of not having enough clearance at the hood latch to remove my valve cover. I found in researching the site that a solution was to raise the rear of the engine/transmission to create more clearance or raise the body with a lift. I also discovered that this could be necessary because my transmission/rear engine mount may have collapsed and the engine was too low in the rear. I took some photos of my mount and cannot tell if it is collapsed or not. I had the mount replaced when I had some other drivetrain issues that needed repair. The mount is an aftermarket part and was replaced about 6 years ago but not that long ago in terms of mileage. Could an aftermarket mount collapse this soon?

It seems from the pictures attached that the hollowed out indentations of the mount are more narrow than a picture of a new mount from another post. I can't tell if the reason is a partial collapse or if that's how the aftermarket mount looks vs a Mercedes mount. According to one post I ran across it was mentioned that it is normal to have to raise the rear of the engine/ transmission with a jack in order to remove a valve cover.  https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11303.msg75593#msg75593. It looks like the new mount has wider indentations and a red dot which may be a Mercedes mount?

Thanks!

[dirkbalter]

I am using a mount manufactured by Meyle also with red dot. (SLS)
Not sure who is the supplier for Mercedes is.
My old one was in pieces just like yours. You want to make sure your driveline alignment is good, especially if you are experiencing issues with the valve cover.

[Pawel66]

If you had some thick shims there, you may not need all of them now..

[Tyler S]

On your first photo, the very thick washer that is held by the bolt is actually a shim that is designed to go between the plate and the mount. Not sure why it was moved to the underside of the plate but that may be a clue.

[TJMart]

I thought the same thing. It looks like the 5mm washer that is referred to on the SLS site. I have attached another better photo that shows there is another thick washer above the plate. Looks like to me another 5mm one. So would moving the 5mm washer from the outside to the inside of the plate make a lot of difference? Any thoughts on whether it looks like the mount is collapsed?

[dirkbalter]

I think you want to make sure your driveline has the right alinement. See attached SLS drawing, or tech manual.
https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/de/mercedes-230-280sl-w113/22-motorlagerung
The amount or size of shims will be determined based on that.

[Pawel66]

On your first photo, the very thick washer that is held by the bolt is actually a shim that is designed to go between the plate and the mount. Not sure why it was moved to the underside of the plate but that may be a clue.

Not to lose it after installation of a new mount? Anticipating it may be needed later.

I was after washers you may have up there between the bracket and the mount. If there are no shims, you may leave it like that, but need to check the alignment like Dirk said.