MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Performance Modifications => Topic started by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 06:23:32 pm

Title: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 06:23:32 pm
I fitted the THS side mounts today and thought I'd post my intial thoughts, there was no need for pics or a guide as the big fella has already done  it :happy2:

My first observation is the amount of play in the std mounts, I couldn't believe how baggy the gearbox side mount was on my car, really loose and when you waggle it there is a definate knock/clunk so I'm hoping this is the slight knock I've been looking all over the suspension and steering for the last few months. This could just be an issue with my car of course.

I've driven the car about 10 miles so far, and as like Robin has already pointed out with uprated mounts, there is a definite increase in the grrr noise in the cabin as he puts it, although I'm lead to believe this will reduce as the mounts bed in a little. But I can hear more of everything, the intake, turbo and the dump sound. The car also feels more responsive and the gearchange feels more positive.

I'm hoping the extra noise does reduce as the mounts bed in as its a bit much for me at the minute :smiley:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: robern2 on October 29, 2010, 06:31:29 pm
that was kinda my worry to.
Look forward to hearing if the noise does subside and if so by how much.
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: QD MBE on October 29, 2010, 06:33:41 pm
What subframe Mount have you got Gaz?  Standard?
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 06:40:49 pm
What subframe Mount have you got Gaz?  Standard?

The ECS insert in there at the minute, but I have the THS insert ready to fit, the gearbox will be comin out soon so I'll get this pressed in then :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 29, 2010, 07:04:03 pm
Do the THS ones still retain the bladder of viscous fluid on the underside of the right engine mount (nearest the cambelt)?
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 07:05:27 pm
Do the THS ones still retain the bladder of viscous fluid on the underside of the right engine mount (nearest the cambelt)?

eeeerm no idea :smiley:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 29, 2010, 07:07:20 pm
Do the THS ones still retain the bladder of viscous fluid on the underside of the right engine mount (nearest the cambelt)?

eeeerm no idea :smiley:
Did you fit em yourself?  Or have you still got the old ones to have a peek?
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 07:09:36 pm
yep, fitted them today, yes the old ones are on the bench in the garage

but the play in the gearbox side mount was shocking
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 29, 2010, 07:12:58 pm
yep, fitted them today, yes the old ones are on the bench in the garage

but the play in the gearbox side mount was shocking
Mine were shocking too - both the gearbox side and the cambelt side.  With the airbox top cover off, you could rock the engine on the cam cover with just a very light push - would move what felt like three inches! :stupid:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 07:17:16 pm
when I have the gearbox mount in my hand, the movement is shocking and I can deffo feel a metallic clunk/knock but I have had a few gearbox issues which may have caused this  :scared:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: john_o on October 29, 2010, 07:39:20 pm
as far as I can tell the THS mount doesnt have any fluid in it , its empty.
Gaz Im sure they will bed in , remember these arent full VWR/BSH style mounts, so should naturally age/slacken like OE mounts.

I wonder why THS dont do 'exchange' as the new units are clearly old mounts with new inserts.
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 29, 2010, 11:34:10 pm
I wonder why THS dont do 'exchange' as the new units are clearly old mounts with new inserts.
Take a close look at them - the castings are not genuine VAG - just pattern castings.
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 11:40:06 pm
I wonder why THS dont do 'exchange' as the new units are clearly old mounts with new inserts.
Take a close look at them - the castings are not genuine VAG - just pattern castings.

you could be wrong
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 29, 2010, 11:52:59 pm
I wonder why THS dont do 'exchange' as the new units are clearly old mounts with new inserts.
Take a close look at them - the castings are not genuine VAG - just pattern castings.

you could be wrong
Well the ones in their official photos deffo don't have the 'VWAG' on the outer castings.

Time to get your photos up and prove me wrong! :P :grin: :P :grin:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 29, 2010, 11:59:44 pm
all the casings and fitments had VAG numbers on, they are fitted so can't see them, maybe John could take some pictures before he fits his :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: h4rdy on October 30, 2010, 04:16:57 am
all the casings and fitments had VAG numbers on, they are fitted so can't see them, maybe John could take some pictures before he fits his :happy2:

Ill have a look at mine as not fitted yet but the boxes had VAG numbers on?

I know that means nothing but just thought I would mention it.
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: john_o on October 30, 2010, 08:49:40 pm
the drivers side mount has this on the top (engine side)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_f42ZbKWLXUk%2FTMxtMtiuvlI%2FAAAAAAAAR4c%2FoLIKCQaxMKc%2Fs800%2FIMG_20101030_200439-1.jpg&hash=b8663f8623dd5f2aa94fb6049bed5b858bb33eea)

passengers side has no markings

Id be surprised if they were THS own castings (and less happy tbh). def look like refurbed OE mounts to me
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: john_o on October 31, 2010, 06:20:47 pm
fitted mine this morning  :happy2:
took me couple of hours taking my time. biggest hassle is getting all bits out of the way to get to the bolts.
drivers side most things can be left connected (dont try and start the car with the reservoir tube disconnected  :signLOL:)
you really need 2 jacks or axle stands, as others have pointed out you will be amazed how 'loose' the engine is with a mount removed!
so you definitely need an extra jack to hold the engine while swapping mounts.
I also found it easier to bolt the body side first then the engine side of each mount, be careful not to cross thread the bolts.
I reused my bolts, kept them in order. (punch holes in the THS box to keep the orientation  :happy2:)
the defined torque specs def need a torque wrench as + 1/4 turn is a lot of force (try and do a smooth movement if you can)

my old mounts were nothing short of chocolate fireguard material. easily moveable by hand (both of them) in all directions  :surprised:
no fluid present. At some point I will cut them open for a look they are beyond worn. (my car is at 44k miles)

new mounts fitted just fine. Like gaz mine are louder than I expected while accelerating, not unpleasant but kind of intake like (although Im OE intake) , and as Robins says lots of grrrr. they should soften
funny though, they are fine at idle, noticeable on the startup, quiet on light/no throttle. the noise on part / full throttle is hard to describe! sounds like my big/little ends have gone ! combined with some gearbox whine and intake type noise.

no engine movement and the positive drive experience is brill. the feel on clutch takeup is much better , the downside is that the horrendous clutch 'feel' on takeup of drive just sounds worse.

will see how they soften in weeks to come. so far a great mod thats not for the paranoid  :signLOL: with all these new engine sounds

(oh and how fking heavy is that battery  :signLOL: , always thought REVO went to 'stock' after battery disconnection but mine seems to still be in performance mode ???)
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: SteveP on October 31, 2010, 06:48:41 pm
They sure do make some strange but good noises  :laugh:  :laugh:

Mine have been on a week / 550 miles and have soften a bit but not much. The cabin noise and vibration has remained the same  :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: RedRobin on October 31, 2010, 07:12:38 pm
.
Feel the good vibes, man  :evilgrin:

The soundz aren't everyone's cuppa tea but I expect that the big improvement in the drivetrain is to most folks' liking  :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gillm on October 31, 2010, 07:14:00 pm
my bsh ones calmed down after a few thousand miles and a good hammering round the ring
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Cupra R on October 31, 2010, 07:40:34 pm
Still to get round to fitting mine  :ashamed:

Ordered some tool's to do them with though  :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: gazbutS3 on October 31, 2010, 07:44:51 pm
my bsh ones calmed down after a few thousand miles and a good hammering round the ring

gonna break mine in at Anglesey on the 20th Nov :happy2:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 31, 2010, 08:26:22 pm
all the casings and fitments had VAG numbers on, they are fitted so can't see them, maybe John could take some pictures before he fits his :happy2:
Wonder why they blitzed the VAG markings in their web fotos then? :sad1:
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: john_o on October 31, 2010, 08:46:06 pm
dont think they have, only the drivers side has numbers, the gearbox doesnt (dont know why not!)
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 31, 2010, 08:50:09 pm
you really need 2 jacks or axle stands, as others have pointed out you will be amazed how 'loose' the engine is with a mount removed!
so you definitely need an extra jack to hold the engine while swapping mounts.
Yup - now you know why the flexi section on the down pipe is limper that Justin and Ryans wrists! :evilgrin:


I also found it easier to bolt the body side first then the engine side of each mount, be careful not to cross thread the bolts.
I reused my bolts, kept them in order. (punch holes in the THS box to keep the orientation  :happy2:)
the defined torque specs def need a torque wrench as + 1/4 turn is a lot of force (try and do a smooth movement if you can)
It is MUCH easier if you use anti-seize on the bolt threads.  It wont affect the torque settings, because the primary torque figure is quite low - the tensile setting is from the angle turn.


my old mounts were nothing short of chocolate fireguard material. easily moveable by hand (both of them) in all directions  :surprised:
Seems common.  Mine were well sloppy after about 20k - the inside of the metal housing had been 'polished' to a shine.


no fluid present. At some point I will cut them open for a look they are beyond worn. (my car is at 44k miles)
The fluid is only on the cambelt side mount - turn it upside down, and it is under a black rubber diaphragm with a rectangular blue nylon-esque retainer.


new mounts fitted just fine. Like gaz mine are louder than I expected while accelerating, not unpleasant but kind of intake like (although Im OE intake) , and as Robins says lots of grrrr. they should soften
funny though, they are fine at idle, noticeable on the startup, quiet on light/no throttle. the noise on part / full throttle is hard to describe! sounds like my big/little ends have gone ! combined with some gearbox whine and intake type noise.

no engine movement and the positive drive experience is brill. the feel on clutch takeup is much better , the downside is that the horrendous clutch 'feel' on takeup of drive just sounds worse.

will see how they soften in weeks to come. so far a great mod thats not for the paranoid  :signLOL: with all these new engine sounds
We really need to compare these THS mounts with my silcone filled new OEMs.


(oh and how fking heavy is that battery  :signLOL: , always thought REVO went to 'stock' after battery disconnection but mine seems to still be in performance mode ???)
You wanna lift a heavy batt - look at this monster - the standard GTI is a 72Ah (278x175x190mm and 20kg), whereas the beast in the RS4 is a 110Ah (393x175x190mm and 29kg):
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FTeutonic_Tamer%2Fmy_B7_RS4_saloon%2Fea1b1937.jpg&hash=5a3e4f742686b66845874b02b46722aaa677a75e)
Title: Re: Fitted the THS side mounts
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on October 31, 2010, 08:51:14 pm
They sure do make some strange but good noises  :laugh:  :laugh:
Does your gearbox whine in 2nd?  (Oh, are you manual or DSG?)