Apikol Snub Install - Pics --->

[kwimberly]

Just installed my Apikol snub mount. Very easy. Hardest part was getting the GD belly pan back on. Here are some pics/comments:

First, this is my new Euro plate - I know - most people will think it means "I urinate on the law." It stands for "intellectual property law" - my profession. In retrospect, should've picked something less Bart Simpson... And yes, that's my Dolphin Gray tow cover on a Lake Silver car - don't know why the previous owner did that...



These two pics show the old mount - you can see the dark area where it was hitting the bottom of the cup - I guess that's the "clunk" we feel sometimes:





Here are some comparison shots between the mounts. The Apikol is obviously bigger. I was worried about fitting it in the cup, but it fits perfectly. I had to drop the cup all the way down to work the mount back in, but as shown below, that was the sweet spot for tightening the cup back down.



This was my prep for getting the Apikol on. I had read so much about how hard it is to jam a new one on - the Hot Dog Heaven cup has hot soapy water. I didn't need it - just peeled the old one off and banged the new one on.



Here's the fit of the Apikol:



This is the right side of the cup. As you can see, the cup is adjusted as far down as it can go - luckily that was exactly where it needed to be - no vibration.



This is the left side of the cup - notice that mine only had 3 bolts to adjust - two on the right, and one on the left.



IMPRESSIONS:

The only reason I did this mod was because I found out my OEM mount was starting to crumble. I didn't think I had any vibration issues. I do feel the clunk every now and then, but I attributed that to sloppy shifting.

After test driving around the block - wow - I can really tell a difference. It wasn't until feeling how smooth the car is now that I realize that it was a little rough before.

Very pleased with it. I hope it holds up!

[SeKKeY]

I think you're supposed to leave the screws loose and let the engine idle for a minute, then tighten them. Am I right?

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^i Think Thats For Motor Mounts, But I'm Not Sure!

[kwimberly]

I think you're supposed to leave the screws loose and let the engine idle for a minute, then tighten them. Am I right?

Yeah - that's to adjust it. I left the cup screws loose, backed off the ramps, let it idle for a minute, pulled back up and then tightened - that's not the proper way - pulling back up on the ramps can bias the settling from the idle. I didn't really have a choice anyway - the cup had to be all the way down or else it would have hit the bottom of the Apikol. Luckily, it worked out!

[diztek]

ya, you should def. leave the screws loose, rev engine a few times and then tighten. if he is not feeling any excessive vibration then he got lucky. i always put my leg up against the front bumper and if its shaking, then i know i need to adjust.

[Papachristou]

i was very impressed with APIKOLs service and their warranty, unlike APRs junk lately

[aaronz]

I went the APR route, but same install. I agree the BP install was a PITA. Anyways mine was centered the first time correctly and have had no vibrations or issues for 2 weeks going. I should prolly get under there just to make sure but so far no issues!

Nice pictures and write up!

[Firefighter637]

I installed my APR snub last week and prob need to adjust it b/c it vibrates at idle. I read that you keep the car running when adjusting and tightening the bolts once it settles.

[kwimberly]

Ok - regardless of my lucky success, here is the right way, as told by old guy:

Find a slanted area where you can set your ramps at the bottom of the slant so that when your front end is on the ramps the car is sitting level instead of being up in the air. Install the snub mount as instructed and leave the mounting "cup" that is bolted to the back of the front end loose. Start the car and make sure it is fully up to operating temperature. With the car at idle CAREFULLY reach up and move the mounting "cup" around until you have it completely centered. I say carefully because you will have your fingers about 6" from the spinning crank pulley. It really isn't as dangerous as it may sound as long as you pay attention to what you are doing. It is very easy to tell because when it is completely centered you will feel minimal or no vibration. I have a trimmed Neuspeed and I can center mine to where there is no contact between the "cup" and snub bumper at idle. Once you are comfortable with your positioning, tighten the lower bolts on the "cup". Turn off the motor and tighten the upper bolts. With this procedure you should be able to get a vibration free idle.

[FourRings80]

I installed my APR snub last week and prob need to adjust it b/c it vibrates at idle. I read that you keep the car running when adjusting and tightening the bolts once it settles.

Nope like Sekkey said the car has to be off.

http://www.goapr.com/Audi/support/b6_snub_mount.pdf


Nice write up!

[kwimberly]

Nope like Sekkey said the car has to be off.

http://www.goapr.com/Audi/support/b6_snub_mount.pdf

but not if you follow old guy's post - just be careful.

BTW - aaronz - I took the pics with an Olympus SP-510 UZ. Used macro with flash for the closeups. Feel free to use the pics if you want. I have high-res versions if needed.

[aaaudiprotein]

I got the same mount installed recently with 034 engine mounts. I alo got a bracket from 034 for the snub, but couldnt fit it, so used the stock one. I think im gonna redo that someday, somehow i should fit that. The snub barely goes into that bracket (which is good), it sits really tight, but the snub itself i guess is too big for that bracket. maybe i should cut a little piece off. Any suggestions???

[04QuattroTurbo]

IP Lit? Or IP Transactional? LOL I work in the Industry as well. So was it easy? I'm thinking of doing this as well.

[kwimberly]

IP Lit? Or IP Transactional? LOL I work in the Industry as well. So was it easy? I'm thinking of doing this as well.

Right now I'm a clerk at the firm - doing lit and trans - small IP-only firm. Take the Bar in July. When I start back, I'll focus on litigation, but when that's slow, grab trademark office actions. Transactional only on trademarks and copyrights. Was an English major, so I can't take (nor do I want to take) the Patent Bar!

The snub install was very easy - no special knowledge or tools required. I didn't even need the hex socket - probably could have done it with a sturdy allen wrench. I wouldn't have attempted it if I had a B5 - at least not when I have important bar prep lectures to get to in the morning...

[04QuattroTurbo]

Right now I'm a clerk at the firm - doing lit and trans - small IP-only firm. Take the Bar in July. When I start back, I'll focus on litigation, but when that's slow, grab trademark office actions. Transactional only on trademarks and copyrights. Was an English major, so I can't take (nor do I want to take) the Patent Bar!

The snub install was very easy - no special knowledge or tools required. I didn't even need the hex socket - probably could have done it with a sturdy allen wrench. I wouldn't have attempted it if I had a B5 - at least not when I have important bar prep lectures to get to in the morning...

Good luck on the bar. Are you from a tier 1 school? Are planning on joining one of the "evil" empires?

[04QuattroTurbo]

Just ordered my APR snub. Thanks for the writ of instructions! LOL

[kwimberly]

P.S. - the Apikol seems to be less expensive than the others, and although it's relatively new, I haven't heard of one failing...

http://www.avalonmotorsports.com/ind...roducts_id=312

[IronAudi]

Is this the same for 3.0 engines as well or is it slightly tougher?

[vdubstreets]

I didnt notice a HUGE difference, but not alot of vibration at idle and a bit smoother shifting.

[04QuattroTurbo]

Is this the same for 3.0 engines as well or is it slightly tougher?

According to APR's site, the 3.0 has the same instructions.

[A4Triple Blk]

hey guys i know this is a real noob ques but what is a snub mount and what does it do ... from what i've been reading it has to do with the engine and vibration of it or something to do with shifting ? thanx guys

[AudiDWK]

Does this help with automatic trans? (CVT)

[04QuattroTurbo]

I read from other members, here, that the snub mount is really an upgrade for the Manual transmission owners, you may get more vibration on the automatics.

[PRVWing]

I ordered one for my sisters CVT since her snub mount is the original one since 2002 and its busted. I think it should help her a lot, specially when taking off like on a red light (when it turns green of course) lol

[Ill 3.0]

According to APR's site, the 3.0 has the same instructions.

much bigger PITA, front bumper has to come off. you can search for Eddieman's write up. Still not too bad, but probably a couple of hours for your first time.

[mister_tu]

I read from other members, here, that the snub mount is really an upgrade for the Manual transmission owners, you may get more vibration on the automatics.

Is that even possible? Just thinking it from a pure physics point of view. If the snub mount is the same on an automatic and manual, than why wouldn't this be an upgrade for both? They are engine mounts, not tranny mounts. If it reduces vibration for the manuals, than why not the automatics? I'm trying to conceive how it could possibly make it worst.

I could be totally wrong, please feel free to correct me.

[rocketheavy]

I have an automatic TIP with the apikol snub and it helps out alot. I used to get a bang when i floored it and it downshifted hard. now its nice, tight and less dramatic of a shift. no vibration at all. not sure what everyone is talking about there.....

[Elliott]

I just installed my Stern snub. I guess you could say it was a bit overdue.

[sixty40band]

i have a question when i did my timing belt i noticed when i put everything back together there was a slight bit more vibration nothing extreme but just a little bit....

would this be because i just bolted up the stock snubmount and never did it according to specs?

im thinking yes.

lmk

thanks!

[BOPOH]

nice, just in time, i should be getting my apikol snub in mail today

[mdzaudi]

hey guys i know this is a real noob ques but what is a snub mount and what does it do ... from what i've been reading it has to do with the engine and vibration of it or something to do with shifting ? thanx guys

The snub mount reduces the rotational movement of the driveline that you get when you apply torque. The reason it helps the shifter is because the shifter carriage is bolted to the car body and the shifter linkage is obviously connected to the transmission as well as the shifter carriage. When the driveline moves in relation to the car body the shifter carriage has to slide on the carriage side rails to keep from breaking. The more you limit the rotational movement of the driveline the less movement you will get in the shifter.

Thanks to "old guy" for that one in an old post.

[nvk289]

Just installed my Apikol snub mount. Piece of cake install, and noticeably improved shifting. The car doesn't jerk as much when I quickly let out the clutch. Thanks for the write up.

[doublezero30]

just got my apikol snub in the mail, my stock one has twice the cracking yours did kwimberly! cant wait to get it installed this weekend. thanks for the writeup!

just for clarification purposes, the three alen head bolds you tighten down, but the three socket bolts you leave a bit loose while you let the car run?

[MMMB00ST_A4]

Yes