034 Motorsport Billet Aluminum MQB Dogbone Mount Insert, MkVII
Initially, I ordered the Spulen Insert but I’ve heard that the aluminum insert is going to last longer and be a bit more stiffer while the polyurethane will simply break down over time. I returned the Spulen insert and installed this one instead. (linked above).
The price (as of 10-9) is $42 and I paid an extra $15 for 2-day shipping from California since the car was on a lift when I ordered the part. Here’s what 034 Motorsports promises:
This precision-machined billet aluminum insert is designed to fill the large voids in the factory dogbone mount, and limit transmission and engine movement without sacrificing ride quality or introducing any perceivable additional noise, vibration, or harshness into the cabin. By filling the void in the factory mount, this insert eliminates the associated slop and ensures that you’re experiencing crisper shifts and a more direct, connected driving experience.
Install:
This was incredibly easy but I highly recommend you have a torque wrench. They’re expensive but you’re going to need it at some point so instead of paying a shop to do this install, spend that hourly labor’s worth of money and buy a torque wrench along with a 21mm Socket. Removing the current bolt from the dog bone was very difficult. It took a lot of elbow grease. After removal, inserting the Dog Bone insert was very easy but I couldn’t get the bolt to thread. The reason is when you take the bolt out, the engine may shift forward slightly. I was alone on this install so I had to use one arm under the front of the engine block and pull it back toward the rear and visually line up the hole and screw back in the bolt. Luckily, the insert (once in place) stays there without falling on the ground.
Once I had the bolt slightly threaded, I set the torque wrench to 100NM and tightened. The 034 Insert did bend slightly while torquing. I hope that doesn’t cause issues later down the road.
Initial Impressions (after 60 minutes of driving and a single day):
The vibration in the cabin and even audibly from cold start @ idle is a bit jarring. If you didn’t know the insert was installed, you’d think something was horribly wrong. I’m sure if I ever sell my car and forget to remove the dog bone, the next owner is going to take the car in for a repair thinking something is very wrong. After 2 minutes, the idling subsides to a light rumble that just feels like any other tuned vehicle with a lot of aftermarket equipment. The engine vibration is basically being transferred right to the car without any sway that the stock dog bone mount allows.
At stop lights, you don’t notice the vibration unless you’re expecting it.
As for feeling the engine, I’d probably find this mod completely amazing with a manual transmission on a track. But, since I’m just driving around town in traffic, it feels stronger, it feels solid, I have this improved connection to the wheels that wasn’t there before BUT it’s not as drastic as I was expecting which actually isn’t a bad thing.
Despite all of my mods, I still want my grandmother (should she ever visit me up here in New Hampshire) to get behind the wheel and drive to the store. I don’t want her freaked out with vibration, noise and aggressive handling. Unless she floors it, she will barely know this is a sports car. The dog bone stiffens things up…for sure! But it doesn’t take this car to any sort of crazy soaring levels.
Overall, good balance, instant gratification and very easily installed at a pretty darn good price as far as performance modifications go.
$42 seems like a no brainer and hey, if you’re getting a shop to do another repair / upgrade and your VW is on a lift, grab this and have them put it on. they won’t mind.
Here are a few photos:
Packaging:
Before:
After:
If you want to order, makes sure you have the mount that’s pictured in my ‘before’ shot. If not, an insert that fits the alternate Golf R MK7 Dog Bone mount is coming soon.