Rear Diff mount comparison thread

[itsmatt33]

Hey guys,

I started this thread in the b6 a4 section and thought it might be helpful to have it here as well.

I noticed there was no thread comparing the various brands. I imagine they all dont differ much from each other but maybe people with the different mounts can chime in with their thoughts and experiences. Obviously the higher the durometer the harder the mount.


ECS ~$190

Features include:
Tuned polyurethane isolators (70A durometer) selected for a firm yet compliant ride
Precision machined billet 6061-T6 housing for durability and corrosion resistance.
Poly material is more resistant to water, ozone, and chemicals, maintaining its resiliency and elasticity longer than conventional rubber.
Increased drivetrain rigidity and response
Long-term testing done on multiple vehicles for real-world qualification

Spulen ~$112

Features:
75A Durometer polyurethane mount
Precision CNC'd Mount
Removes drivetrain “slop” and clunking
No added vibration inside the vehicle.
Limited Lifetime Warranty

apikol ~$240


Blue:55A durometer
Red:70A durometer
and apparently they have a green which is 95A durometer

PowerFlex bushings (bushings only to be installed in stock mount) ~$50

Powerflex Street (Yellow: 70A or Purple: 80A) - Replacement Performance Suspension Bushings
Powerflex Black Series (Race: 95A) - Ultimate Performance Bushings Offering The Most Precise And Accurate Alignment



So i guess the question is- what's too hard and what's too soft?

[sonosam]

You could also go the insert route https://store.034motorsport.com/034m...-aluminum.html

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[itsmatt33]

You could also go the insert route https://store.034motorsport.com/034m...-aluminum.html

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ECS also just released inserts but it is my understanding that you will not feel much difference without a mount to compliment the inserts

[q_dubz]

ECS also just released inserts but it is my understanding that you will not feel much difference without a mount to compliment the inserts

so you're SAYING...that if the rubber in the factory mount was completely replaced with solid...you wouldn't feel the difference!? LOL

[itsmatt33]

so you're SAYING...that if the rubber in the factory mount was completely replaced with solid...you wouldn't feel the difference!? LOL

no that is not what I am saying. It is my understanding that sonosam implied that installing the diff carrier inserts would be enough to make a difference. To some extent a difference I think will be made, but keep in mind that these inserts do not replace the factory rubber they are merely installed into them. SO it is my opinion and the opinion of multiple techs that in order to really gain something out of the carrier inserts, the rear diff mount should also be replaced so as to compliment the functions of the other. Does that make sense?

[q_dubz]

no that is not what I am saying. It is my understanding that sonosam implied that installing the diff carrier inserts would be enough to make a difference. To some extent a difference I think will be made, but keep in mind that these inserts do not replace the factory rubber they are merely installed into them. SO it is my opinion and the opinion of multiple techs that in order to really gain something out of the carrier inserts, the rear diff mount should also be replaced so as to compliment the functions of the other. Does that make sense?

ok gotcha

[slineb7]

I'm interested in the feedback you receive on all of these. sub'd. Thanks for consolidating this thread.

[d2a4]

Perfect timing, my shifting thud

[sonosam]

I wasn't implying that it would be better. I was simply listing another option. I'm interested in the feedback as well since suspension is on my to do list after timing.

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[itsmatt33]

I wasn't implying that it would be better. I was simply listing another option. I'm interested in the feedback as well since suspension is on my to do list after timing.

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sorry maybe i should have said alternative. Which i still dont think one is a substitute for the other because i believe they are intended to compliment each other and installed together for noticeable improvement

[alcatranz518]

I have the ECS mount and the 034 inserts and do notice a more "positive" feel to response on the throttle (more like a sharp snap when touching the accelerator), but I also added ECS engine mounts and the 034 race trans mounts (TIP) at the same time to be safe and lock my whole drivetrain down at once (had the urethane snub mount already). But overall its really hard to say how much improved not only because I did them all at once, but also because I had 160k on the clock when I installed them. Being this car was mistreated and an AZ car its whole life, those OEM bushings that came out were tired.

Overall though, she does feel very positive under acceleration and with hard cornering (and a little more road noise but not unbearable by any stretch). Worth the money (and install time) to me, just to be confident in everything being secure and supported for the more "spirited" drives. All were fairly easy to install, the diff mount(s) by themselves can be done in a hour or so, almost takes longer to jack up the car.

As for the diff inserts vs the mounts, they support different parts of the differential. just as 034 explains here in post #37 http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Mount-Upgrade!

The front mount secures the front of the diff and the inserts support the rear, all in torsional stress situations. So to have 1 is ok, but to have the inserts and the front is much better (and not much more $$). That was why I did all the mounts at once, since you stiffen 1 area you will increase forces/ moments at another point which will wear a separate mount faster. (Granted its understandable not everyone does them all at once, I saved over a year, bought them a set at a time, and had to be patient to install them at the same time...which seriously was the hardest part, the wait.)

[ven0m]

Powerflex are just inserts into the OEM bracket if I'm not mistaken? They are a lot cheaper to all other custom brackets.

[d2a4]

Powerflex are just inserts into the OEM bracket if I'm not mistaken? They are a lot cheaper to all other custom brackets.

But how good are they? I assume you got what you pay for?

[ven0m]

But how good are they? I assume you got what you pay for?

??

They are cheaper, because there is no bracket in the package. You already have the bracket on your car.
The insert itself (which matters the most) can be at par or even better than any of the others offered. Powerflex has a good heritage of racing bushings in the EU.

[Lucca M]

I have powerflex and its awesome!


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[itsmatt33]

??

They are cheaper, because there is no bracket in the package. You already have the bracket on your car.
The insert itself (which matters the most) can be at par or even better than any of the others offered. Powerflex has a good heritage of racing bushings in the EU.

yea i dont think quality is an issue here however, i personally would not want to push out my oem bushing and throw these on, I would much rather have a complete piece.

[034Motorsport]

ECS also just released inserts but it is my understanding that you will not feel much difference without a mount to compliment the inserts

The inserts we sell are meant for the rear diff carrier bushings, ad can be used in conjunction with any of the mounts you shared for the front mount of the rear differential.

Hope that helps!

[Hooblah]

I have a powerflex. Saved myself a shitload of money compared to the apikol and similar offerings. Why change the bracket if it isn't broken? Just get the bush and job done. I managed the job in an hour or so, the hardest part was getting the factory bush out of the bracket.

What difference did it make? I can't say since all my other bushes are shot lol. But I've slowly replaced everything and the last part is to replace the rear diff bushes which will hopefully be soon. Might even try the black powerflex bush.