Lower Engine Mounts

[breeze]

My shift had been becoming a bit clunky again and I have been looking at my lower engine mount. I’ve had a yellow Powerflex insert in for a while.

As an experiment, I removed the insert and found that the shifts instantly became smoother. That said, the engine is clearly moving around more and I am getting more axle tramp than before.

I am wondering what the options are here.

Thoughts?

I think the best answer is to replace the entire bush with OEM or aftermarket, but honestly having just had the subframe down to replace the arms I am not in the mood to do that again. I could however be tempted to try another insert.

Is yellow Powerflex too soft? Or too hard? I’ve also seen metal inserts. Really have no idea, other than that the shifts are a bit smoother with it removed.

[Andy]

I replaced mine with  the vwr racing line bottom mount and 034 top mount

[Andy]

[LC5F]

Super-pro dog bone insert is good and cheap

[breeze]

Thanks guys. Yep, pretty much convinced that replacing the entire bush is the way to go, just not right now.

[breeze]

Super-pro dog bone insert is good and cheap

Any idea if better or worse than Powerflex yellow? I already have one of those.

[pudding]

Just put a vibratechnics bush set in and move on.  It's the best there is.  It's not that big a deal taking the subframe down, especially as all the threads are freed off now.

[LC5F]

Super-pro dog bone insert is good and cheap

Any idea if better or worse than Powerflex yellow? I already have one of those.

Can't compare Powerflex Vs SP for this insert
- but comparing brands, Super pro spanks Powerflex's bot bot on build quality, and supplied fixings +they usually you can choose from multiple shore values (hardness).
- I have had Powerflexes in the past on other VWs, some failed far too early, the finish on the bushes isn't great & the hardware tends to be Heath Robinson. Personally, I would only install them if there is no other alternative.

Have you looked at your main engine mounts for wear? - if yours is a manual, with the handbrake on, you can easily get someone to load up the drive train by putting it in gear, lifting the clutch till it starts to bite - then see if the engine is rocking excessively

[breeze]

Super-pro dog bone insert is good and cheap

Any idea if better or worse than Powerflex yellow? I already have one of those.

Can't compare Powerflex Vs SP for this insert
- but comparing brands, Super pro spanks Powerflex's bot bot on build quality, and supplied fixings +they usually you can choose from multiple shore values (hardness).
- I have had Powerflexes in the past on other VWs, some failed far too early, the finish on the bushes isn't great & the hardware tends to be Heath Robinson. Personally, I would only install them if there is no other alternative.

Have you looked at your main engine mounts for wear? - if yours is a manual, with the handbrake on, you can easily get someone to load up the drive train by putting it in gear, lifting the clutch till it starts to bite - then see if the engine is rocking excessively

All other mounts are new, as is the dogbone itself. I think Lemforder or Meyle.

I re-fitted the Powerflex bush earlier and it seems much better than before. I give up…

Next time the subframe is down I will replace the whole thing for sure.