Alex
Nordschleife
- Joined
- 6 Mar 2014
- Messages
- 22,164
I ordered myself some of the Powerflex gearbox mounting bush inserts the other day afterfinally deciding to have a go at them once seeing infrasilver had took the plunge.
There's always felt like something is a bit slack or wear with the drivetrain on my 996. Nothing bad but I've had the impression it didn't drive as factory standard. It's as though there was some backlash in the gears noticeable when you quickly release your foot off the accelerator or dump your foot on it when coasting. I changed my engine mounts some time ago as you could rock the engine under the car when swinging on the manifolds and as far as I'm aware this is the only other fixing point for the engine and transmission so thought it would be a good idea to 'improve' the stability of it.
Knowing that it's probably not that easy to remove the original bushing and fit a new one, then the ease of removing the gearbox carriers and slipping these inserts in, well that option won.
They arrived yesterday morning and I knocked off work at 2.30. Once arriving home I had a couple of hours to spare before meeting the lads for the compulsory Friday T-time pint so thought I'd give it a go at fitting them.
Took just under 2 hrs start to finish and wasn't too tricky. Hardest part was fitting the inserts in the original apertures.
Once on ramps and axle stands and everything removed ready to fit the inserts (I used this guide here linked half way down the page: https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-se...box+Front+Mounting+Bush+Insert+Kit/12311.html) I could then inspect the original mount. You could tell it had sagged over the years as the inserts wouldn't fit in. The two lower 'ears' of the insert fell in to the lower apertures, but the top one wouldn't even look at the top aperture as the mount had sagged so much. You could easily rock the steel insert in the original mount back and forth as it was that worn. I soaped up the new inserts and then by putting a long screwdriver through the bolt holes on the steel insert I could lever the steel insert one way to enable to open the top aperture and slide the insert 70% in. Then the same trick the other way round to get the other in. Using a rubber mallet I nicely knocked them into there final seated position all the way in.
Refitting the carriers was pretty easy and they were a perfect snug fit around the outside of the inserts (I know Chris had mentioned this could be a bit tight due to the side walls being 10mm thick, but this wasn't the case).
Lining the bolts holes though the carriers and mount was a bit awkward but by placing a 6mm allen key through one of the holes then a bit of jiggery pokery with the jack supporting the gearbox, I managed to get one of the bolts in and then the other one.
All bolted back up, undertrays refitted, back on the floor, pack stuff up quick shower, it was time to head off to the boozer for a well deserved scoop in the sun.
Well, WOW! - what an instant noticeable difference. Not necessarily a good wow, but a big difference. Jury's still out yet as I'm not 100% convinced on all aspects and only covered about 8 miles in urban area (ish).
As soon as you turn the engine over you notice something's changed. I get what cobrars was saying about vibration as once the engine's running you can feel it right through the car.......but.......as yet I don't mind it. It doesn't feel over the top but does give a sharper fell of what's between you and the tarmac.
Once in motion, the car does feel more sturdy and sharper and more 'precise' on the throttle. I'll say this - it instantly felt great, to the point it was like I'd got in a different car. Everything just feels so much tighter when driving it, most noticeable when actuating the throttle just after gear changes and gear changes themselves. The correlation between what your foot it doing and what the car is doing feels so much more precise than before.
I accept my original mount was jiggered and not performing anywhere near how it should and these have taken it back to standard and a bit beyond so the difference I've experienced may be greater than others would. The 'vibration' mentioned previously, I wouldn't call vibration but more feedback through the chassis what the engine is doing. A bit like on a motorbike.
I'll update when I've done a few more miles in the car and as I said,, jury's still out, but I get the impression that there's 2 groups of members one here:
1. Those that love the interface between man and tarmac that the 996 perfectly delivers and want the most raw but precise feel between the 2 - if this is you - fit these bushes (only £30 and a couple of hours, what's not to like).
2. Those that love the comfort of the 996 but sometimes feel it's a bit harsh so let their tyres down to compensate, etc. - if this is you, don't bother wasting £30 and go to the pub for a couple of hours (on the A road as the tarmac is smoother :grin: ).
Hope this write-up helps a few undecided members.
If I do find them a bit unbearable, I'll either wait till after my 1st St Tropez jolly with the lads and see if they bed in after 3k miles or I'll start shaving some material off the side walls and shortening the lower ears. Watch this space.
:thumbs:
The image below shows the original gearbox bush but shown on it's side. The top aperture that had closed in due to sagging is the one on the left:
There's always felt like something is a bit slack or wear with the drivetrain on my 996. Nothing bad but I've had the impression it didn't drive as factory standard. It's as though there was some backlash in the gears noticeable when you quickly release your foot off the accelerator or dump your foot on it when coasting. I changed my engine mounts some time ago as you could rock the engine under the car when swinging on the manifolds and as far as I'm aware this is the only other fixing point for the engine and transmission so thought it would be a good idea to 'improve' the stability of it.
Knowing that it's probably not that easy to remove the original bushing and fit a new one, then the ease of removing the gearbox carriers and slipping these inserts in, well that option won.
They arrived yesterday morning and I knocked off work at 2.30. Once arriving home I had a couple of hours to spare before meeting the lads for the compulsory Friday T-time pint so thought I'd give it a go at fitting them.
Took just under 2 hrs start to finish and wasn't too tricky. Hardest part was fitting the inserts in the original apertures.
Once on ramps and axle stands and everything removed ready to fit the inserts (I used this guide here linked half way down the page: https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-se...box+Front+Mounting+Bush+Insert+Kit/12311.html) I could then inspect the original mount. You could tell it had sagged over the years as the inserts wouldn't fit in. The two lower 'ears' of the insert fell in to the lower apertures, but the top one wouldn't even look at the top aperture as the mount had sagged so much. You could easily rock the steel insert in the original mount back and forth as it was that worn. I soaped up the new inserts and then by putting a long screwdriver through the bolt holes on the steel insert I could lever the steel insert one way to enable to open the top aperture and slide the insert 70% in. Then the same trick the other way round to get the other in. Using a rubber mallet I nicely knocked them into there final seated position all the way in.
Refitting the carriers was pretty easy and they were a perfect snug fit around the outside of the inserts (I know Chris had mentioned this could be a bit tight due to the side walls being 10mm thick, but this wasn't the case).
Lining the bolts holes though the carriers and mount was a bit awkward but by placing a 6mm allen key through one of the holes then a bit of jiggery pokery with the jack supporting the gearbox, I managed to get one of the bolts in and then the other one.
All bolted back up, undertrays refitted, back on the floor, pack stuff up quick shower, it was time to head off to the boozer for a well deserved scoop in the sun.
Well, WOW! - what an instant noticeable difference. Not necessarily a good wow, but a big difference. Jury's still out yet as I'm not 100% convinced on all aspects and only covered about 8 miles in urban area (ish).
As soon as you turn the engine over you notice something's changed. I get what cobrars was saying about vibration as once the engine's running you can feel it right through the car.......but.......as yet I don't mind it. It doesn't feel over the top but does give a sharper fell of what's between you and the tarmac.
Once in motion, the car does feel more sturdy and sharper and more 'precise' on the throttle. I'll say this - it instantly felt great, to the point it was like I'd got in a different car. Everything just feels so much tighter when driving it, most noticeable when actuating the throttle just after gear changes and gear changes themselves. The correlation between what your foot it doing and what the car is doing feels so much more precise than before.
I accept my original mount was jiggered and not performing anywhere near how it should and these have taken it back to standard and a bit beyond so the difference I've experienced may be greater than others would. The 'vibration' mentioned previously, I wouldn't call vibration but more feedback through the chassis what the engine is doing. A bit like on a motorbike.
I'll update when I've done a few more miles in the car and as I said,, jury's still out, but I get the impression that there's 2 groups of members one here:
1. Those that love the interface between man and tarmac that the 996 perfectly delivers and want the most raw but precise feel between the 2 - if this is you - fit these bushes (only £30 and a couple of hours, what's not to like).
2. Those that love the comfort of the 996 but sometimes feel it's a bit harsh so let their tyres down to compensate, etc. - if this is you, don't bother wasting £30 and go to the pub for a couple of hours (on the A road as the tarmac is smoother :grin: ).
Hope this write-up helps a few undecided members.
If I do find them a bit unbearable, I'll either wait till after my 1st St Tropez jolly with the lads and see if they bed in after 3k miles or I'll start shaving some material off the side walls and shortening the lower ears. Watch this space.
:thumbs:
The image below shows the original gearbox bush but shown on it's side. The top aperture that had closed in due to sagging is the one on the left: