Before I ask any stupid questions, I know that a torque arm insert WILL cause more engine vibrations to be felt. Got that. But....my new Powerflex "black" insert seems to be rattling my car apart! Only in for a few days, and the NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) almost seems unacceptable! I love the instant torque transfer, the positive shift feel, etc., but am I setting myself up for rattling my solid Mini into becoming a rattle-trap? Have you guys tried any inserts that are possibly less damaging to the overall "feel" of the car? Or maybe I did something wrong? Is there a way to "pre-load" the new insert/mount to allieviate some of the harshness I am now feeling? I really don't want to make my Mini a rattle-trap....

 

Try NM engineering torque arm insert.

 

I just went through this with my 13 JCW coupe the black is to much . I just installed power flex yellow insert . Very happy .

 

Hmmmm..Thanks, guys! I was trying to save a few bucks, but it appears that the "tried-and-true" stuff works better, even if it costs a few bucks more. So...what is the general "feeling"? NM versus Powerflex Yellow? I love the shifting feel of the Black Powerflex, so what would be a mid-road choice? Anyone have a 2011 R56 S with any experience on both? I really LOVE spending money (NOT), but looking for the best bang-for-the-buck here. Color is no concern, just "feel" without being subjected to tooth-rattling vibrations. The little metal bit with the NM piece...does it really do anything? I would assume so. But what, exactly?

 

Another thing to consider is that there is a "break-in" period for almost anything bushing related, even polyurethane. The advantage to the poly bushing is it doesn't wear down near as fast as rubber, but after a few hundred miles, there should be a "calming" of the NVH you feel with the new insert.

 

As much as I like NM Engineering products and Jerry has great support, I installed the PowerFlex yellow "street" bushings on both ends of my lower mount. They made a big difference in the feel and took out the slop that was there from stock bushings. The small end oem bushing had to be pressed out.

 

After reading reviews for a couple of years, one thing that is for sure is that some cars are more sensitive to the vibration than others.

My car is an 08 auto. The yellow powerflex vibrated at idle for me. I ran it for almost 1200 miles, waiting for the break in period to end. I pulled it out, then ran an NM insert (older one before they had the metal pieces that go with it). For my car, it works.

Last month I took my tune off to have the car inspected. The idle dropped to about 700/750 (normally 800 with the tune), and the idle vibration was back. After reinstalling the tune, the vibration was gone.

I've also read about guys filling the stock mount with various types of mastic. In the last year, several options have come out that makes the choice more difficult.

The nice thing is that these are fairly inexpensive, and you can resell them on the marketplace to recover some of your expense (or buy used).

For my 2 cents, NM was one of the first, and there is a reason that they still make them. I would start there and see what you think.

Mike

 

I installed the NM Engineering insert. It dramatically improved the feel of shifting and getting on / off the power. There is a marked increase in vibration though. I think the improvements outweigh the vibrations by a small margin.

 

I just installed my new NM Engineering Torque Arm Insert in my 2012 MINI Cooper S. I don't feel an increase in vibration at all and I was expecting it some. What I do feel is a huge increase in shift response and overall road feel. Funny to that I am now experiencing a great deal less front end squirm under acceleration and braking.

I love it.

 

I installed my yellow powerflex insert on Friday. Love the way the car feels when shifting now. I do feel a pronounced vibration off idle but then it goes away. Still breaking the bushing in though, so we'll see how it is after 100 miles or so.

 

Im about to buy the NM Bushings and I am planning on installing it on a 4 post lift. It might sound dumb, but do I need to have the tires off the ground? Or can I just lift it and go under? Where is the part located exactly too?

 

Not needed. All you need is a 16mm? socket and ratchet.

It goes under the passenger side, a floor jack gets the job done fine (with a safety stand of course)..

Nothing critical gets out of alignment, nor is there great stress on the mount. Its a 2 min job.

Worth every penny,

 

??????????????

Which mm bushing? I assume torque arm
What's a 4 post lift got to do with it ? It can be done on the ground with a floor jack and a jack stand 2 wrenches and 10 minutes of time
If it's the torque are insert is what we are talking about wheels on or off the ground don't matter really as long as you can get to it
If you don't know where it's located why are you replacing it ? What lead you too installing it ?

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

I knew the general area just wasn't precisely sure. And Im installing it for the "feel" And by a "4 post lift" Im asking if i could drive up ramp and lift it. Because my pinch bolt on my shocks are not on so I am sketchy when taking the tires off the ground...

 

No need to jack up the entire car. Heck when I do it I only jack up the rt front corner.
We sell the NM bushings
http://www.waymotorworks.com/nm-engi...nt-insert.html

But we also offer the powerflex which is more affordable
http://www.waymotorworks.com/powerfl...unt-large.html

 

Following up to see if there are any updates or different POVs on installing Torque Arm Inserts to reduce torque steer. I just bought the NM Torque Arm Insert - it is for a 2009 Mini S conv with auto, but has an unusual build: Built engine ( pistons, rods, blue print etc ), upgraded turbo, stage 2ish tune. But I also lifted the car 2 inchs and have Bilstein B4 shocks with JCW springs. The car drives great so far ! However, I am still breaking in the engine and have only done a few spirited runs and can feel a some torque steer under load. I am sure I will feel it more later. I would have installed a Quaife - but given it is an auto ...... FWD cars are new to me.

Questions

1) I see people use grease on the Powerflex Torque Arm Insert ( supplied by Powerflex ). NM does not provide nor have I seen any mention of it. In my old days of leaf springs in mustangs - I greased the bushings when using Polyurethane. What's the feeling here - is a lube needed ? More for preventing squeaks, but might help in seating some ...
2) I see Powerflex does sell a bushing for the other side of the Control Arm ( needs to be pressed in - the old one pressed out ). But have not seen one from NM. Any idea if has any incremental value to the original Torque Arm Insert, or just hype. I am not a fan of vibration.

If the above is not enough - I'll explore more evasive options ( ie expensive LOL ... like tunable coilovers etc. Has anyone done the software upgrade - not sure if I an do it with an aftermarket tune or how much it kills performance. The car only has DTC ).

 

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Happy Original Memorial Day All !

A quick update on the Torque Arm Inserts. My car in NC, but I am Florida - so I had the company who built the car insert the Torque Arm Insert ( he has access to the car - plus I am still breaking in the engine - so trust him to drive it ). I ordered both the NM and Powerflex. As mentioned in an earlier post ( by Way IIRC ) - the Powerflex are much more substantial. Not sure if that is needed - but the he felt better about them vs the NM. His feedback was there was definitely a reduction in torque steer ( not all removed though ) ,,, but at some cost of a little vibration at idle ( this is an automatic car ). As stated, this could subside after the insert seats a bit in the rubber.

My suspension consists of JWC springs and B4 Bilsteins. It is a great ride - so not sure if I will mess that up or not. Once I drive the car for a bit - I'll have a better feel if anything more is needed.

 

Has anyone tried the Torque Solutions Mount yet? Ive been eyeing that and their short throw shifter for a bit but I didnt know if anyone else has tried it in comparison to the other options above.

 

Here is a link:

https://www.importimageracing.com/pr...xoCTWcQAvD_BwE

They give the durameter as 75A. I believe the Powerflex yellow is 70A ( softer ) and black is 80A ( harder ). However, the Powerflex torque arm insert is a PU/rubber sandwich - which might give more play. Ignoring geometry - I'd say the engine mount would be stiffer then the yellow as it is harder, solid PU and the other end is even a harder PU. So more crisp/minimizing of torque steer but at cost of more ( and perhaps unacceptable ) vibration.

Also note - Powerflex has the same:

https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr..._BwE#attr=2541