Vibratechnics group buy.

[Doggybags]

After having no chance to install the top mount for the past couple of months, I finally got to install it this weekend. First, this really is an easy DIY job. I got the car up in Rhino ramps and with a small 2-ton jack supported the engine, no complications.

For the technically illiterate such as myself, the easiest way to get the job done is to remove the complete mount assembly including the mount bracket, at least in the facelift arrangement (mine is an 05). This entails: 1)removing the four hex bolts identified as #2 in real oem which attach to the engine block 2) removing hex bolt #4 which attaches the mount to the side of the strut tower, and 3) removing the torx bolt #5 which is attaches the mount to the frame of the car and is only accessible from the bottom. You also need to remove the grounding wire from the bracket which is obvious once you see it.




The most "difficult" step for me was removing bolt #5, if only because the douchebags at the dealership failed to reinstall it the last time my mount failed. I spent a good portion of time looking for that sucker and scratching my head cause I couldn't find it. For me, the easiest way to access the area is by pulling away the wheel well cover and using an 8" extension for the ratchet. No big deal.

I had always felt my engine and gearbox were sloppy and was always looking for ways to stabilize it without sacrificing too much NVH, it is my daily driver after all and my kids ride frequently with me. I had gone through an earlier version of the TSW damper (not the solid rubber mount) and, as part of this job I was removing the later version, which by the way was destroyed (rubber inserts were toasted). I had also gone through two of their damper brackets (bent them both). Now I know why, my mount wasn't attached to the bottom frame of the car. Fucking retards.

Anyhow, I haven't driven the car too much since but my initial feedback is very positive. Excessive engine slop is gone and shifts are much, much smoother. Just a tad of additional NVH on idle but nothing noticeable when in gear. Love it so far. I will now have to assess the other mounts to see if they are also in need of replacement.

Thanks to Colin for setting this up and Kitty for letting me have her spot on the initial group buy.