POS Apikol - WTF?!?

[BITRBO]

So I finally had some time to get the car up on the lift to see where this clunking/grinding noise has been coming from, and I think I found it...







So not sure if anyone else has had their Apikol rear diff mount disintegrate like this, but it's pretty shitting IMO especially considering how much these ******s cost (same thing happened to my APR snub mount!)

Needless to say I'm not going to replace in-kind, so just looking for some suggestions from those with other brands/styles.

TIA!

[Zba]

Damn, I have one. How long was it installed?

I will also add that Apikol is a great company and I have had their snubber for five years with no issues. They have always been great to deal with.

[christianb5s4]

Maybe it was a bad batch? Haven't seen any other failures so far. I would get in touch with whoever you bought it from.

[BITRBO]

Damn, I have one. How long was it installed?

a few years back - maybe 4? Don't recall...

It started with a clunking noise last fall, then suddenly started making horrible grinding noises concurrent with driveshaft speed. I found those rubber pieces on the driveway shortly afterward... They're like old sticky gummy bears that completely crumble apart in your hand.

[Racin2redline]

I'd email them and explain what's happening. That has to be covered under some sort of warrantee. Maybe it was a bad mix of poly.

I hope mine doesn't do that

[bobkatkat]

Power Ring? Hard to disintegrate a chunk of aluminum. By the oil or fluid on the body, it looks like you have some sort of major leak? Not all plastics will withstand exposure to oil. But you think it would be chemical resistant to some degree.

[BITRBO]

I'd email them and explain what's happening. That has to be covered under some sort of warrantee. Maybe it was a bad mix of poly.

I hope mine doesn't do that

Yeah, the problem is I bought it 2nd-hand (0 miles) from someone local that was selling their A4 and never installed it, so I'm sure Apikol won't honor any kind of warranty.

Power Ring? Hard to disintegrate a chunk of aluminum. By the oil or fluid on the body, it looks like you have some sort of major leak? Not all plastics will withstand exposure to oil. But you think it would be chemical resistant to some degree.

Power Sing sounds interesting... I'd imagine lots of extra NVH though, no?

I do have a small leak, but it only shows up when I track the car... I'm guessing it's either one of the spider hose connections, valve cover gaskets, or the cam plugs (or all of the above). That car doesn't leak during "normal" city driving or after spirited runs, just during track sessions.

I have a catch-can kit sitting on the shelf that I just haven't had time to install... I wasn't aware that oil could eat poly mounts, so assuming that was the problem, I suppose it may be a good idea to install that ASAP too!

[jbain2]

I would call Apikol. What do you have to lose? Dealt with them recently and they were great to deal with.


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[LoonyBoyo]

Wether it was second hand third hand or uncle's brothers cousins hand....its still looks like a manufacture mess.....id contact them imho.

[goalieman24]

Power Sing sounds interesting... I'd imagine lots of extra NVH though, no?

I put a power ring in maybe 6 months ago. Not exactly impressed.
Get a decent amount of NVH from 50ish to 60ish. It kind of seems better now than immediately after initial install.... don't know if that's actually true or I'm just getting used to it. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't spend a lot of my time on roads where I'm going 50-60.

[BITRBO]

I would call Apikol. What do you have to lose? Dealt with them recently and they were great to deal with.


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Wether it was second hand third hand or uncle's brothers cousins hand....its still looks like a manufacture mess.....id contact them imho.

Fair enough... I'll give it a shot.

I put a power ring in maybe 6 months ago. Not exactly impressed.
Get a decent amount of NVH from 50ish to 60ish. It kind of seems better now than immediately after initial install.... don't know if that's actually true or I'm just getting used to it. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't spend a lot of my time on roads where I'm going 50-60.

Good to know, although, I typically only see that speed range for 1-2 seconds at most ; ) But the way I understand the Power Ring is it eliminates vertical travel in the joint, but does allow for some FWD/backward and lateral movement... Might be a better solution for the track, and considering bobkat's oil leak theory I hate to spend extra money on a new poly mount if it's just gonna get eaten up before I find (and resolve) my oil leak problem.

[christianb5s4]

Depending on the polyurethane formulation, it can definitely be compromised by oil/fuel/chemicals. Just worked with a client in the aerospace polymer industry, it's a very interesting space.

[bobkatkat]

Yes the power ring does make things a more noisy but really locks things down so would be good for your uses. After all what is a bit of noise on a race car.

[morris400]

had a power ring on mine when i had it. i liked it. priced good too. never noticed any increased noise or vibrations but then again i had track density engine and trans mounts as well as a stright pipe exhaust lol. power ring gets my vote or stern looks good too.

[hibiscusS4]

i think when mine comes ill grab stern just because every other mount in my car is stern ha.
thats crazy what happend to that mount though

[james 408]

sterns are the only drivetrain mounts i've used that haven't disentigrated. haven't tried em all, but i've gone through about 4 different companies of engine mounts. Many shaterred within a year.

who knew there was such disparity in what seems like a nobrainer part.

[jballou]

Had the power ring in my car since inception. I was one of the testers before it hit the market. Been happy with it. It does make a little more in cabin noise, but hey, if you wanted a Cadillac, buy a Cadillac.

[Illusive90s]

OP, looks like your exhaust might have been makink contact with the crossmember.

FWIW, I've had the Apikol diff mount installed in my car since Apikol released the product. I've had ZERO issues with it, and had no noise issues.

[BITRBO]

sterns are the only drivetrain mounts i've used that haven't disentigrated. haven't tried em all, but i've gone through about 4 different companies of engine mounts. Many shaterred within a year.

who knew there was such disparity in what seems like a nobrainer part.

Yeah, I'm starting to realize the same thing... My APR snub mount completely disintegrated just like this one, and I'm positive I don't have any oil/fluid leaks up there... I replaced tranny, motor, and snub with all 034 products a couple years back and I think it's time I give them all a good looking over to see if anything is heading south.

Had the power ring in my car since inception. I was one of the testers before it hit the market. Been happy with it. It does make a little more in cabin noise, but hey, if you wanted a Cadillac, buy a Cadillac.

Good to know

OP, looks like your exhaust might have been makink contact with the crossmember.

Yeah, I noticed that too... I really need to add some more exh. supports under there, cause there isn't enough for hard track use. All safe, normal clearances go right out the window when everything gets hot and you're pushing it in the corners.

You should see my rear bumper valance... Completely melted where the exhaust tips exit!

[wbrunner23]

I had the power ring and got rid of it. It wasn't vibrations that bothered me, but the high pitch gear meshing sound at highway speeds that got old quick. I'm back to my stock mount, just window welded.

Not much of a concern for a track car, however.

[landfill]

The apikol with red bushing lasted me forever. So IDK what happened to yours.
It looks like someone took a torch to the bushing lol. Also there seem to be many
mount options for the b5 except the rear diff mount and the carrier. I think the actual
rear diff only has apikol or ECS. I'm not too familiar with any other vendors offering a
diff mount for the b5 platform. Also if you look at everything from classics, urs4, b6/b7,
and on up usually the only company offering one is Apikol. I haven't had an issue with
them. Just my 0.02.

[Meow]

my apikol snub mount has been on my car for many years, When I pulled the motor I noticed it was really loose and blown out. I could shake it on the snub bracket it was so bad... I bought a replacement snub mount and was good to go. These parts dont last forever... yours looks pretty bad though.

[BITRBO]

Ok, so I'm going back to the stock mount with a SPR, and I'm thinking to fill the voids with window weld as people have done in the past. I also have a sheet of 1/8" neoprene bearing pad that I might see if I can slide in there to help reduce NVH, but I'm guessing there won't be room. The car mostly sees track duty, but I do daily it from time to time and I don't want it to be too obnoxious...

These poly mounts are a great idea and all, but I think high-density rubber is a better way to go. More durable and less susceptible to chemical deterioration. With all the mounts that 034 makes for this car, it's a shame they don't do this one!

[Meow]

I'm thinking to fill the voids with window weld as people have done in the past. I also have a sheet of 1/8" neoprene bearing pad that I might see if I can slide in there to help reduce NVH, but I'm guessing there won't be room. The car mostly sees track duty, but I do daily it from time to time and I don't want it to be too obnoxious...

FYi that makes a LOT of NVH... just ask Monty23. Window weld is awesome but stiff as fuck.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

We have a great option for you for when you decide to replace it!

Click HERE to order or for more information


Jason

[Monty23]

Ok, so I'm going back to the stock mount with a SPR, and I'm thinking to fill the voids with window weld as people have done in the past. I also have a sheet of 1/8" neoprene bearing pad that I might see if I can slide in there to help reduce NVH, but I'm guessing there won't be room. The car mostly sees track duty, but I do daily it from time to time and I don't want it to be too obnoxious...

These poly mounts are a great idea and all, but I think high-density rubber is a better way to go. More durable and less susceptible to chemical deterioration. With all the mounts that 034 makes for this car, it's a shame they don't do this one!

I can ship you my window welded mount if you want it. I'm never going to use it since if made too much noise.

[ricekikr]

Happened to me as well. Thay warantied mine even if it was a couple years old. Change mine to reds after the blue ones turned to goo. The reds are supposed to not have the same issue as blues. Just annoyingly loud when new but gets better.

[BITRBO]

I can ship you my window welded mount if you want it. I'm never going to use it since if made too much noise.

Sorry, just bought one on ebay a couple hours ago... Thx anyway

Happened to me as well. Thay warantied mine even if it was a couple years old. Change mine to reds after the blue ones turned to goo. The reds are supposed to not have the same issue as blues. Just annoyingly loud when new but gets better.

Interesting... So they acknowledged that the blue ("street") mount had issues and the red ("race") mount won't??

Unfortunately I already order the SPR and a used OEM mount on eBay, so I'm gonna give that a shot first... At $62 for the SPR + $34 for the mount + $27 for 3M window weld, I'm still saving $130 vs. buying a new Apikol mount. I'll just have to keep my eye on the classifieds if I end up hating the new setup...

[ricekikr]

Sorry, just bought one on ebay a couple hours ago... Thx anyway



Interesting... So they acknowledged that the blue ("street") mount had issues and the red ("race") mount won't??

Unfortunately I already order the SPR and a used OEM mount on eBay, so I'm gonna give that a shot first... At $62 for the SPR + $34 for the mount + $27 for 3M window weld, I'm still saving $130 vs. buying a new Apikol mount. I'll just have to keep my eye on the classifieds if I end up hating the new setup...

I forgot the exact wording they used. But I remember them saying i wont have issues with the red.

If they don't warranty it, they sell the bushings separately. Iirc it was $30-50. This was a year or two ago though.

[BITRBO]

I forgot the exact wording they used. But I remember them saying i wont have issues with the red.

If they don't warranty it, they sell the bushings separately. Iirc it was $30-50. This was a year or two ago though.

Shit. Didn't know that...

[01audia4]

I can ship you my window welded mount if you want it. I'm never going to use it since if made too much noise.

I was thinking of window welding my mount; maybe i can steal/try yours Justin?

[Shhmaudi]

I had a power ring that I just replaced with a ECS mount shown above. Honestly the Power ring wasnt too bad with NVH.. I am really liking the ECS mount. With that being said ill sell you my Stern power ring for like $40 shipped to your door.. PM me

[gmx]

How's the NVH comparison between the ring and ECS mount?

ECS, what is the durometer of your poly bush?

[Monty23]

I was thinking of window welding my mount; maybe i can steal/try yours Justin?

Boomer beat you

[BITRBO]

I had a power ring that I just replaced with a ECS mount shown above. Honestly the Power ring wasnt too bad with NVH.. I am really liking the ECS mount. With that being said ill sell you my Stern power ring for like $40 shipped to your door.. PM me

Thanks, but I already ordered a SPR and OEM mount the other day... I'm gonna give it a shot and hope it doesn't suck too bad. Worse case scenario, I spoke to Apikol and they confirmed that the red mount holds up to heat and vibration much better than the blue, and they're only $36 for a replacement set of bushings so I can always go that route later on if needed. At least it'll give me some time to fix this damn oil leak, which may or may not have been the problem.

[Monty23]

Make sure when you are removing the diff seals that you use a seal puller, its very very easy to gouge the diff housing that the seal sits in if you don't use the proper tools. I made that mistake and am very irritated at myself for not spending the $30 at harbor freight for the seal puller set.

[Racin2redline]

Make sure when you are removing the diff seals that you use a seal puller, its very very easy to gouge the diff housing that the seal sits in if you don't use the proper tools. I made that mistake and am very irritated at myself for not spending the $30 at harbor freight for the seal puller set.

I used a generic puller, just put a towel on the surface your prying against. Those seals pop right out

[goalieman24]

I had a power ring that I just replaced with a ECS mount shown above. Honestly the Power ring wasnt too bad with NVH.. I am really liking the ECS mount. With that being said ill sell you my Stern power ring for like $40 shipped to your door.. PM me

How's the NVH comparison between the ring and ECS mount?

I'd like to know this answer as well.

[BITRBO]

Make sure when you are removing the diff seals that you use a seal puller, its very very easy to gouge the diff housing that the seal sits in if you don't use the proper tools. I made that mistake and am very irritated at myself for not spending the $30 at harbor freight for the seal puller set.

Thanks, but I don't think it's the diff that's leaking... In fact I'm almost positive it's coming from the back side of the engine somewhere, and I'm leaning towards:

1. spider hose connections (hoses replaced w/ RAD hose last summer, so it's not that)
2. cam plugs
3. valve cover gaskets
4. rear main seal (God I hope not)
5. all of the above

Bottom line is I've need to do this damn catch can job for a while now, and I think the last couple track days has made things a little worse. Again, the leak only shows up after a 20-25min session, which makes sense since the stock PCV system isn't designed for crankcase pressures associated with double the stock boost and/or that sort of extended abuse.

But good tip on the seal puller... I'll keep it in mind

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Our poly blend is 70A for a firm yet compliant feel.

Jason