Rep Power: 517

The drivers and passengers (left and right) side (or upper) mounts support the weight of the engine and transmission. The engine is the source of vibration so it gets the hydraulic dampened mount.

The front and rear subframe mounts act as the torque limiters, to control or limit the amount of drivetrain rock as you accelerate and decelerate.
They don't really support the weight of the drivetrain at a standstill but they get a workout every time you accelerate.

IMO no, the only goal (as a test) is to space the upper bracket higher so it's not sitting on the base of the hyd. mount, and vibration isn't transmitted into the body (chassis)

I think your lifting the engine up and noticing the vibes disappear pretty much proved it's a mount issue.

 
Rep Power: 139

Good news boys. I snagged a new front mount and installed it. When I did this it lifted the engine a little yet the hydraulic "upper" mount bracket was still super close to the body so looking further into it, I noticed that the nuts that secure the bracket down were loose and the bracket wasn't tightly locked down, allowing it to sag down to the body.

I raised the engine a little and snugged it down and now all looks perfect. Good clearance between the bracket and body and the car is smooth as silk again. engine barely shakes in the bay and no more pulsing at idle.

This is a big win! I appreciate you two sticking with me on this and helping out!

 
Rep Power: 221

Glad to hear it!

 
Rep Power: 0

My recently acquired 01 LX had a rough idle also. Not knowing the history I replaced all mounts, like butta now.