So I have checked through previous threads and am relatively convinced that I need an insert to mitigate the awful wheel-hop in the wet or other lower traction situations.

 

Consensus seems to be either of the following:

https://store.034motorsport.com/mqb-dogbone-mount-insert-mkvii-volkswagen-golf-gti-r-8v-audi-a3-s3-billet-aluminum.html

 

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/skoda/octavia-mk3-5e-2013/?filter[RANGE_CF][]=ROAD&filter[DIAGRAM_SPACE_REFERENCE_CF][]=30

 

Would be the best option for my 2016 vRS Petrol.

 

For those of you that have had either/both of these on the car for a while now:

 

1. Has it performed as you hoped?
2. Have the negatives outweighed the positives (increased vibrations/noise etc)
3. Did the initial vibration increases really decrease over time?
4. Have you had one of the above and then moved to the other? Why?
5. Any of you with the plastic inserts had any issue with them melting/welding themselves to the mount?
6. Anyone had any knock-on issues with wear/tear/faults attributable to the insert?

 

Thanks in advance of your input!

 

Cheers 

As with most mods which alter the cars design parameters, there will always be varying degrees of good and bad results. A mod that increases stiffness will likely resolve issues like engine rock under load, and introduce more vibration. All bushing mods will soften up a little over time, and I doubt the extra vibration would cause any damage to the vehicle, so it's down to personal preference to decide if the benefits outweigh the negatives.

 

It gets' riskier with things like dual mass to solid flywheel mods. The DMF reduces torque spikes, while the SMF just sends them all into the gearbox.

Lastly, Insurance companies love to wriggle out of paying out, if a car has any undeclared modifications. 

Had the 034 billet alu dogbone mount for about a year and a half now.

 

1. Absolutely, even better than initially thought.

2. There have been basically zero negatives for me, as it's improved gear selection precision and eliminated all wheel-hop in my Stage 1 mapped car

3. Initial vibration is honestly barely noticeable unless you're a bit of a princess-&-pea type; but whatever NVH is added is hardly obvious to any unless you're actively looking for it. It certainly doesn't detract from the driving experience.

4. No, stuck with 034 for now.

5. There are multiple conflicting discussions between owners of both types - i.e. 'Alu bends' / 'powerflex melts' etc. TBH I've not experienced any issues with mine as yet, and whilst I've not removed it to check for any changes / issues, I've had a visual inspection underneath which showed nothing untoward.

6. None whatsoever.

 

As a simple and relatively inexpensive modification to eliminate wheel-hop, it's one of the main things which - of all the additions to the car - has honestly improved it no end! It's a joy to drive, feels a lot more 'tightened up', and feels like it should have been added OEM.

12 hours ago, Ads230 said:

Had the 034 billet alu dogbone mount for about a year and a half now.

 

.....

 

As a simple and relatively inexpensive modification to eliminate wheel-hop, it's one of the main things which - of all the additions to the car - has honestly improved it no end! It's a joy to drive, feels a lot more 'tightened up', and feels like it should have been added OEM.

 

 

Well that's hugely encouraging - thank you for the feedback! Was it pretty easy to fit yourself?

Tried a dog bone billet insert on my superb diesel and it was bl09dy awful. Loads of vibration on idle and noises and vibrates on acceleration. So took it out and replaced with power flex on specially for diesel and it works beautifully  

I have a Powerflex one in my diesel.

 

1. Shifting is a tad quicker but the best improvement is how it holds the front end geometry and the turn in and control is massively improved.

2. For me yes.  For MrsG no.  Shes not a fan of the added rumble.

3. The initial vibration was horrendous.  It's absolutely reduced.  Not to nothing or even to the level it was before, but much more bearable.  Worst when ticking over, not noticeable when above 1k revs and changes depending on whether you are on a hill, foot on brake, etc. (preloading mounts).

4. Only had the powerflex one.

5. Only had it in a couple of months.  Read an article ages ago talking about the ali ones saying that they bend as part of the bedding in process.

6. Still early days yet. Concerned about the added vibration causing rattles to increase but I'll deal with it as time goes by.

 

10 hours ago, Item said:

Was it pretty easy to fit yourself?

It's meant to be fairly easy to fit on your own, although sadly I wouldn't know as I where I live I haven't got space to do any work underneath the car. I got it fitted professionally on its first service (only take it to independent VW tuning specialists, not Skoda UK obviously) - so it was put on at 15,000 miles.

 

One point to note is that you will need to select 1 of 2 types of 034 Motorsport mount (Version 1 or Version 2)  for your vehicle, depending what is currently in place. I was asked by the guys prior to the service to take a photo of the OEM mount, so that they could identify which one - you can use this guide to check

 

I've noticed also that since I bought mine, they've added the upper mount as an optional extra - ("The MQB Upper Dogbone Mount prevents the puck assembly from rotating in the subframe housing, which can bend the lower insert and cause premature wearing of the factory rubber in the mount.") - so this may be since complaints from other users.

Fitting mine was straight forward though needed some encouragement from my friend jack and some of the supplied silicone grease.  The stock bolt is on the short side so if were to  do it again I'd source a longer one or use an ali insert.

 

Thinking about the 'melting' issue.  It's probably more likely to be gunk and friction rather than actual meltyness.

I have one I bought, second hand, for the vRS but never fitted if anyone's interested:

 

 

 

 

 

Gaz

 

Edited 16 July, 20196 yr by 132

20 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

Fitting mine was straight forward though needed some encouragement from my friend jack and some of the supplied silicone grease.  The stock bolt is on the short side so if were to  do it again I'd source a longer one or use an ali insert.

 

Thinking about the 'melting' issue.  It's probably more likely to be gunk and friction rather than actual meltyness.

That answered a question I was about to post - so you re-used the original bolt 😊

@Gti Jazz Blue Yep they are designed to use the og bolt.  Some kits come with their own but the powerflex ones are designed for direct drop in (push up)

Just now, MarkyG82 said:

@Gti Jazz Blue Yep they are designed to use the og bolt.  Some kits come with their own but the powerflex ones are designed for direct drop in (push up)

From what info I've found the OEM bolt is a once use stretch bolt so should be replaced - but if it was OK when you did yours I won't worry 😊

1 minute ago, Gti Jazz Blue said:

From what info I've found the OEM bolt is a once use stretch bolt so should be replaced - but if it was OK when you did yours I won't worry 😊

 

Don't take my word as gospel but I don't see any reason they should be single use.  They are not under any more tension than a wheel bolt for example.  And we keep using those.

I'm happy to make that assumption on my own car (I'm an engineer).  If you have any sort of warranty it might be best seeking advice on that.  It is technically a mod

@Gti Jazz Blue I have a spare powerflex mount as I bought both versions.  Just happened that the one I needed was the first I tried.  You are welcome to it for some pennies if its the right one.  I think I have a thread in the for sale section for it.  I'm Basingstoke fyi.

For those of you that have had either/both of these on the car for a while now:

 

1. Has it performed as you hoped? yes
2. Have the negatives outweighed the positives (increased vibrations/noise etc) what negatives?
3. Did the initial vibration increases really decrease over time? didnt notice as the diesel rattle drowns this out
4. Have you had one of the above and then moved to the other? Why? no, n/a
5. Any of you with the plastic inserts had any issue with them melting/welding themselves to the mount? n/a, get billet dont get the alu one either as it bends
6. Anyone had any knock-on issues with wear/tear/faults attributable to the insert? no

 

Thanks in advance of your input! you're welcome

Edited 17 July, 20196 yr by JohnnyType2

1 hour ago, JohnnyType2 said:

get billet dont get the alu one

It is billet aluminium, is it not? Or is yours steel?

 

As above, I was interested to go back on their website and see they'd added the top mount too as the bottom mount alone makes it likely to bend... that wasn't on there 18 months ago  - would've added the top mount too if I'd have known.

2 minutes ago, Ads230 said:

It is billet aluminium, is it not? Or is yours steel?

 

As above, I was interested to go back on their website and see they'd added the top mount too as the bottom mount alone makes it likely to bend... that wasn't on there 18 months ago  - would've added the top mount too if I'd have known.

 

this is the one you want as the alu will bend

https://www.goapr.com/products/subframe_insert_mqb.html

Then that's the one I'll be getting after I get a chance to inspect my current 034 one ✔👍🔧

 

@Item - might be worthwhile getting stainless steel instead, based on JT2's recommendation.

Edited 17 July, 20196 yr by Ads230
Because I can't type for toffee atm.

On 18/07/2019 at 04:11, JohnnyType2 said:

 

this is the one you want as the alu will bend

https://www.goapr.com/products/subframe_insert_mqb.html

 

Does this one push/drop in, or do you need to remove the bolt?

they all require to be bolted in

1 hour ago, Item said:

 

Does this one push/drop in, or do you need to remove the bolt?

 

and contrary to what people say, make sure you get a new bolt. It's a stretch bolt, so reusing it could lead to it snapping. They're only a few quid, but if doing then it's worth doing well. I can't place the part number for it. Someone on here will know it.

@tunedude do you have anything saying it's a stretch bolt? I'm not saying you're wrong I just can't understand why they would use such a part in that position.

1 hour ago, MarkyG82 said:

@tunedude do you have anything saying it's a stretch bolt? I'm not saying you're wrong I just can't understand why they would use such a part in that position.

 

It's on powerflexs' instructions. The below one is for a diesel. See in bold under point 2.

 

22 hours ago, tunedude said:

 

It's on powerflexs' instructions. The below one is for a diesel. See in bold under point 2.

 

& point 6. says "use the original bolt"

 

For the additional movement/torque of the tractor technology, safer than sorry might be advisable.

 

Didn't replace the bolt on mine 034 motorsport one, feel very little additional vibration but, mine is petrol. Improved traction considerably, it needs dusty tyres now to wheel hop so, I'm happy with it

8 hours ago, themanwithnoaim said:

& point 6. says "use the original bolt"

 

For the additional movement/torque of the tractor technology, safer than sorry might be advisable.

 

Didn't replace the bolt on mine 034 motorsport one, feel very little additional vibration but, mine is petrol. Improved traction considerably, it needs dusty tyres now to wheel hop so, I'm happy with it

 

I would have thought it would refer to using the oem type bolt and not either one powerflex would supply or a different length one