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This is a photo of a 2000 engine cradle that has been removed from the car. You can see both rear brackets. Areas A and B are welded in the 2001 cradle. The gap between the bracket and the cradle frame itself is clearly evident (A). Flexing of this assembly is what causes the popping noises.
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Here is a closeup shot of a rear bracket on a 2000 engine cradle. Note no weld in this area.
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Here is a closeup shot of the rear bracket from a 2001 engine cradle. You can see the area with the added welds along the side (arrow). This will prevent unwanted movement in this and eliminate the popping noise. This is from a 2001 LS with a build date of 12/00, VIN 242,xxx.
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For ease of comparison, look at this photo of the '01 cradle and the photo below of the '00 cradle. This photo is the opposite side of the '01 rear bracket. Notice the extra weld (A) as compared to point B from the next photo. I had a hard time visualizing this. Bolt C in this photo goes into hole D in the next photo. It also helps to imagine the view you have here is the same view you would have if you were looking at the following photo in the direction of the E arrow.
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This photo is of a '00 engine cradle. It goes along with the above description.
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This pic shows the '01 cradle assembly at the front left tire area. Notice the supporting bolts at the front...the shim material is in between the frame assembly and the supporting bolts.
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This shows the '01 cradle assembly near the right front wheel area.
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This shows the '01 rear left corner cradle assembly. Notice the extra welds made at this joint.
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I was under the car doing an oil change and I found something interesting. There is a number laser-engraved on the back of the engine cradle. This photo is taken with the camera looking foward. That is the driver's side front tire in the background.
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This is a close up of the number. Is everyone's number the same? This would mean it is a part number. If the numbers are different, then it could be a serial number and we can narrow down which cradles are the old version and which ones are the newer version.
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