Lower torque arm - is it easy to replace?

[kmli5]

Hi,

While I was doing an oil change on my 2007 GT sport TDI, I had a look at the lower torque arm that connect the DSG to the car cross member, and the rubber inside the mount is all cracked. Now I know why my DSG is jerky when taking off, the car just bunny hop every time it takes off.

My question is, how to change the arm bush?
Is it just a matter of undoing the bolt and the bush will slide out?
Or do I need to take it to a shop to have it press out?

any advice would be appreciated.

thanks
Ken

[Tim]

are you referring to the small bush that joins the two pieces of the arm together? if this is the case then I believe that you have to replace the whole arm as the bush is not available as a spare part on its own.

[NabzGTI]

are you referring to the small bush that joins the two pieces of the arm together? if this is the case then I believe that you have to replace the whole arm as the bush is not available as a spare part on its own.

+1

You could try buying a torque arm insert, and see if this help the issue. If it doesnt, then you've only wasted $50. This will increase vibrations in the car and make the car feel a little stiffer.

[poyta]

+1

You could try buying a torque arm insert, and see if this help the issue. If it doesnt, then you've only wasted $50. This will increase vibrations in the car and make the car feel a little stiffer.

Its doesn't really add too much vibration - maybe a bit more shake on startup but generally while driving you don't feel any extra vibration. You can read my opinion of the insert here -

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f28/poytas-gt-58691-3.html

As I mention in that thread you get much better traction and no more axle tramp so I'd say go for it and give it a go- get one of these inserts and try it- worse case scenario it doesn't work and you'll need a whole new arm - then put the Insert into the new arm when you get it so you really won't waste money on it.

[bang chong]

Like said before pretty certain your going to have to change the whole arm. If so it's only 3 bolts so it's easy as pie, you may need to push the engine and box forward to screw the bolts back in.

[kmli5]

are you referring to the small bush that joins the two pieces of the arm together? if this is the case then I believe that you have to replace the whole arm as the bush is not available as a spare part on its own.

It is the biggest one on the dogbone arm. The exact one where the 'insert' goes into.

[bang chong]

It is the biggest one on the dogbone arm. The exact one where the 'insert' goes into.

Yeah if it's the bush on the arm, then you'll have to replace the whole thing. By "insert" do you mean bolt? 1 bolt goes into the subframe and the other 2 go into the gearbox. Whatever you do, if that subframe bush is faulty DO NOT replace it with a solid mount... that is unless you want your whole car to vibrate anywhere below 2000rpm

[Maverick]

Yeah if it's the bush on the arm, then you'll have to replace the whole thing. By "insert" do you mean bolt? 1 bolt goes into the subframe and the other 2 go into the gearbox. Whatever you do, if that subframe bush is faulty DO NOT replace it with a solid mount... that is unless you want your whole car to vibrate anywhere below 2000rpm

TAI - Torque Arm Insert

[bang chong]

TAI - Torque Arm Insert

I stand corrected, this actually looks like a good bit of kit as it has the inserts to allow movement. I was just going of what we replace at work, didn't realise there were aftermarket bushes for it. Well O/P if you do purchase the bush you are probably better off getting someone to press the old one out and fit the new one too.

[Maverick]

I stand corrected, this actually looks like a good bit of kit as it has the inserts to allow movement. I was just going of what we replace at work, didn't realise there were aftermarket bushes for it. Well O/P if you do purchase the bush you are probably better off getting someone to press the old one out and fit the new one too.

The TAI is an insert that fits around the installed bush, you pull the existing bolt out, put the insert in, place the large washer and smaller one on the bolt and do it up. It requires the oem bush to be good condition.

[kmli5]

I have undone the 3 bolts, and the dogbone mount just come straight out, but the actual bush doesn't come out, it feels like it is pressed into the subframe.

How can I get the bush out?

cheers

[Maverick]

I have undone the 3 bolts, and the dogbone mount just come straight out, but the actual bush doesn't come out, it feels like it is pressed into the subframe.

How can I get the bush out?

cheers

Read the thread, it doesn't come out.

[kmli5]

Read the thread, it doesn't come out.

I am confused. So how do I replace the rubber component of the bush? The rubber is all cracked.

[Maverick]

I am confused. So how do I replace the rubber component of the bush? The rubber is all cracked.

You have to replace the whole piece according to the other posts and from what I've read.

Check places like http://www.ecstuning.com as they may have a solution.

[NabzGTI]

I have undone the 3 bolts, and the dogbone mount just come straight out, but the actual bush doesn't come out, it feels like it is pressed into the subframe.

How can I get the bush out?

cheers

There are 3 components I think you are confusing yourself with. The Dogbone (which is the long thin piece), the engine mount (the round bit which is the piece the dogbone connects to) and in your case, the "cracked rubber" (which is the rubber piece inside the mount). The mount insert (TAI) fits directly around the existing rubber making it stiffer to reduce engine movement. Reducing engine movement, means extra vibrations in the cabin, although they might be very subtle.

I have never seen the rubber being removed from the mount, so you might have to replace the entire mount. If thats the path you want to go, you can buy new ones from ecstuning.com - there is also a performance mount + dogbone combination if you want to go down that path as well.

To remove the mount (with the rubber included), you will need a press. Unfortunately it cannot be removed any other way without damaging the subframe.