I am also holding off on putting one on my wife's auto because of the vibration. As little as I get to drive it I would catch hell about modding it if she notices a vibration every time she comes to a stop.

 

Are you sure your vibrations were that bad? I can't believe it cause to me on my automatic, my car barely vibrates on sport mode, let alone when just driving her normal. Maybe it might be the heat but I don't get those bad vibrations as you say. Call some of the MINI experts and ask if the power flex might change the ride.

 

For me, while in motion the vibrations were negible/unnoticeable. But at a full stop (in gear), like I said, I literally felt my brain shaking in my head ... unpleasant. Bad enough to take the mounts out.

 

I can see how it could become annoying while in an auto simply because you're always hooked up directly to the engine. Us manual folks have the luxury of being in neutral at lights. I imagine its even worse for you when your coolant fan kicks in. The harshness of vibration seems to fluctuate from MINI to MINI. As we all know, no two MINI's are alike, lol.

Luckily these parts aren't so expensive that if you install them and don't like it you haven't broke the bank and I can pretty much guarantee they would resell on the NAM market, albeit for a lower price.

 

^ Is anyone looking to get rid of a set? I was thinking about going with the BSH torque arm, but I might try out these first in case I find it too harsh.

 

True ... although I would rather chance trying to modify the mount to find a happy middle ground, even if that means possibly wrecking it.

Before I had the mount installed, I wasn't aware of the amount of rock/movement of the engine when I hit the gas (had nothing to compare it to). Now, after having driven with it for so long, I can TOTALLY tell the mount has been removed when accelerating. And yes my torque steer is worse again as well. Boooooooo.

I'll probably sell the NM, get a Powerflex, and if there's still too much vibration, mod that. It's a bit cheaper anyhow.

 

I tried the Powerflex in my auto, and it was too much vibration for me. I drove about 1000 miles, thinking it may break in, but the vibe at idle was very noticeable. I got $30 with shipping when I sold them.

Mike

 

is there anything else available for us Mini's, auto or manual, that can help tone the torque steer, without having these significant vibration issues? is the torque mount the only viable option? i can't have my brain raddling everytime i'm at idle, i'll go crazy. it sounds like i'll just have to live with the torque steer. the car is fwd so it comes with the territory. not that big of a deal for me, i can get use to it.

 

I'm not sure why or how many people are having vibration issues... I've had 0 after installation of mine. Do you live where it is cold? ( my thought process is think of things that are opposite of my cars conditions ) is your torque arm bushing the triangle shape or round? Did you use the proper torque when installing? I wonder if we can figure this out.

 

As I'd said, I actually had much less of an issue with mine when I originally installed it (it did have noticeable vibration upon installation, but it was not excessive). I put it on the car about a year and a half ago, and over time it just seemed to gradually get worse. Being that I live in Arizona, it definitely isn't the cold (in my situation) - maybe the heat made it stiffen up? My hunch is that my engine just vibrates more as the mileage goes up. But, this is really all speculation...

Oh and I used a torque wrench and had tightened to spec.

 

I'm in Houston so heat is big on mine too. Ill have to check mine again when I do my hotside boost tube install this weekend but I'm thinking the heat would either make the bushing more squishy OR dry it out over time and make it more stiff. But that wouldn't be as stiff as the stock arm itself. But I have the triangular shaped bushing arm and I have no vibration or signs of the bushing kit moving or coming out. Is yours the round shape or the triangular one?

 

I have yet to install one because I keep reading over and over on here either the vibration is present or it's extremely present (to the point my brains and rear view mirror are rattling). I've not heard too many on here say they have 0 vibrations, was surprised when you said that. Are you using the triangular? Maybe installing just the torque arm bushing is less vibration than replacing it with the entire mount? (i.e. the bsh torque mount) I'm in southern california 75 degree climate. I do have the auto. Are you auto? What's your climate? My roads are smooth for the most part. I have a feeling the auto will display more vibration noises than the manual. I'd like to figure this out too.

 

There is a very slight extra vibration, but it is so little that you barely notice. After a couple days you Dont even notice anymore. I compare it to buying your first TV....at first you think it looks big but after a few days it doesn't seem big at all anymore.

 

I guess if someone is having a problem it would be good to state "Year, transmission type, climate, road conditions and the shape of the torque arm ( circle or triangle )."

Mines an 07, manual with the triangular torque arm. I'm in Houston so the weather changes literally every day. the other day it was like 46 and today its gunna be in the 80s so my torque arm bushing has seen everything from 20s-115. Houston road conditions are crap, Switches from cement to asphalt and potholes everywhere. My roads are terrible but when I get into my neighborhood its nice and smooth and I'll play a little but never had any vibrations. On top of low profile tires 18in rims and the sport suspension my ride has always been a little bumpy plus the houston roads dont help but yeah.. never any notice in ammount of vibrations, just the awesomeness of shifting.

 

One thing for sure, installing this WILL give you SOME vibration. You're essentially tying the engine into the frame and steering column of the car. There's no way around this. If you have no vibration at all its the exception not the rule. It's a trade off but more likely than not its a trade off that's worth it for what minor vibration you (should) have.

 

Well put.

 

I admit it, I did not believe . . .
I figured for $60 I'd give it a try. . .
less than 5 minutes to install -(of course it was up on a rack at the time)
Oh My . . . I am a believer. . . huge difference. . . one of the best investments

As for vibration. . . Nothing. . . No additional vibration

 

There's a slight vibration for me but I only notice it when the tools in the boot rattle. Otherwise, it's tuned out.

 

Jack you also have auto. Not sure how that will effect the car. My JCW came with sport suspension. It's funny you say yours has torque steer. I'm willing to bet better sway bars and springs would eliminate that torque steer of yours

 

I agree czech. I'm actually thinking about doing some suspension work in the near future. Still thinking about the torque mount or bushing. For now it's fine, the car is fun to drive (except for my paddle shifter situation of course). And I get to learn the JCW's behavior pattern in stock form. for now that is

 

There is a software update that helped reduce torque steer, in about 09. Earlier this year I drove a new car, and the torque steer was nearly absent. Then I drove my car home from the dealer (software updated may 2011), and noticed that my torque steer was pretty similar to the new car. Then I installed my AccessPort and it nearly ripped the wheel out of my hand coming out of a corner. At the time I had the factory sport suspension. I now have TSW springs and the non-sport shocks, and torque steer has not changed. I will soon be putting Koni Yellows on, and expect no change in torque steer.

The yellow powerflex bushing definately helped the torque steer, but I couldn't deal with the idle vibrations. Everyone has their opinion of what tradeoff they want to make. If I was tracking the car, I would keep a jack and wrenches in the car, and install the bushing inserts. Then I would remove them for the ride home. It is that simple of a change.

Mike

 

I have the BSH street arm and love it. It has very little difference in terms of vibration to the NM inserts, but a whole lot better control. There must be an variable that gives people big vibration problems that no one has picked up on. Installation differences?

 

Automatic or manual?

 

Torque specs? Some folks over tightning the product when they install it? is there a specific torque pounds per foot the unit calls for?

 

The NM instructions supplied the torque settings for both bolts. I'm not 100% but I'd like to say 80 foot pounds.