This video has been shared previously and illustrates why you want to connect the upper and lower mounts. I've seen the APR dogbone bend at the lower mounting attaching point when only lower inserts are used. The following link has a lot of good information regarding the inserts and why you want something that fills the voids in the upper and lower mounts. https://store.034motorsport.com/034...n-mk75-golf-golf-r-gti-jetta-7-speed-dsg.html.
Based on the recommendation of one of my friends I went ahead and modified my powerflex hybrid mount to accept the 034 upper insert. And I should also note that the ECS dogbone is not a direct fit for the powerflex hybrid puck (had to machine down the aluminum cup thing that comes with the insert so it would fit in the dogbone).
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Never seen the option you linked; I'll probably go that route next time I have to drop the subframe.That video is irrelevant, the sole purpose of it is to explain why upper reinforcement is needed (when all the voids from the OEM rubber bushings are still present) because of how much movement is still allowed.
The APR dogbone insert and pendulum mount bent/twisted (hi, that was me) because all the voids remained in both the upper and lower OEM subframe bushings with this setup. With the Powerflex lower replacement puck, you are replacing the entire lower section for a solid poly bushing and reinforcing the upper section (with poly) which is effectively eliminating almost all of the void space. The 034 insert is completely unnecessary in this scenario - you are adding more NVH (metal on metal) for absolutely no reason and jamming a piece of (trash) metal where it doesn't belong.
If you want a better solution than the Powerflex lower bushing, this is what you should be using.
Never seen the option you linked; I'll probably go that route next time I have to drop the subframe.
And the video was more for people who don't know why the upper reinforcement is needed. I'd like to point out that you're wrong about the 034 insert--there is no metal on metal. It's filling the larger void in the rubber upper mount. The powerflex hybrid only fills 2 small voids.
ECS has another option out now as well. It fills the larger void in the upper mount like the 034 upper, except it's urethane. It looks like a decent solution for those who don't want to remove the OEM lower mount.
this happened to my 034 mounts also. Replaced them under warranty, same thing happened. They said it's normal??? Doesn't affect performance so I'm leaving them for now.
I'm still going to put it in. A guy in my local group is using the 034 upper with the powerflex hybrid and has had zero complaints. Worst case scenario is I don't like it, take it out, and sell it.Your pendulum mount is going to contact that metal piece all the time... it will chatter and cause additional NVH, 100%
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The Powerflex replacement lower fills the entire back (bottom portion in the photo) void and it's two posts fill the front (top, left and right portion) leaving only a small gap between them. There is no need for the addition of a metal piece.
The ECE option I linked does not fit perfectly in the MK7 (made for the Audi aluminum subframe) so unless you upgrade your steel subframe, I wouldn't advise installing it. It does fit, but it will add additional NVH beyond what it should.