Torque Arm: Alternatives or Best Choice?

Torque strut or something else?

Hi,

On my Seat Ibiza 6L, manufactured in October 2007, with engine code BNV (1.4 TDI, no DPF) and 115,000 km on the odometer, the following issue has occurred:

*) Strong vibrations occur when starting the engine at approximately 1100 rpm, both in forward and reverse directions. The vibrations are particularly noticeable through the steering wheel. At an engine speed of 1100 rpm, a resonance-like oscillation occurs.

*) When accelerating hard, you can also feel vibrations in the steering wheel at engine speeds below 2000 rpm, although they are significantly less pronounced than when starting from a standstill.

Besides the usual suspect, which is the ZMS (presumably referring to a component), I also suspect the engine mounts. When applying torque in first gear or reverse while stationary with the handbrake engaged, the engine tilts about 5 cm. That seems like a lot to me, but I can't really judge it properly because I don't have another vehicle for comparison.

After this introduction, I disassembled the torque rod today. It feels soft, but it's not torn. As a test, I reinforced the thick part of it with rubber shims and reinstalled it. The result: noticeably less rocking during acceleration, almost no vibrations at full throttle with the clutch engaged. The resonant frequency where the rocking occurs has shifted slightly to higher RPMs, around 1300 rpm, which can be explained by a stiffer system. There are no more vibrations when accelerating above 1500 rpm.

My questions are now:

1) Is this really the torque strut? Can it look intact, meaning not torn, and still be too soft (broken)?

2) Where can I get the stiffest possible support rod? Does anyone know a part number for a suitable, stiffer support rod from the VAG program?


Best regards, Georg.

I had a similar problem with my 1998 Volkswagen Golf IV with a 1.9 SDI engine (AGP).
The torque arm looked visually fine; there were no visible cracks. However, it also felt quite soft.

By gently rocking the top of the engine back and forth, it was possible to elicit a noticeable movement in the torque strut.

I noticed the defect because several connectors were damaged and hanging off the top of the spray shroud.

The symptoms manifested as strong vibrations at approximately 1500 RPM. Additionally, there was a noticeable jerk when starting. The vehicle's mileage was around 130,000 km.

After replacing the support, everything was working perfectly again. And the part didn't cost much at all (well below 150 Deutsche Mark).

Hi voodoo,

That indeed sounds quite similar.

I've now ordered an OEM strut, but the one for the 4-cylinder engine. Hopefully it will fit and should be a bit stiffer.

Part numbers:
6Q0 199 851 AP (1.9 TDI)
6Q0 199 851 AQ (1.4 TDI)

Have you ever experienced something like this? A friend's three-cylinder car collided with his garage wall using the tow hitch. Afterward, the engine ran with severe vibrations. What happened? The balance shaft, which includes a weight and is connected to the crankshaft (KW) and the oil pump gear via a chain, must be in a specific position relative to the crankshaft. This was no longer the case; the chain had jumped off. Although the chain tensioner appeared to be okay, it was still replaced. After all the belts were reinstalled, the engine ran smoothly like on the first day.

RedR32 wrote:

The balancer shaft with the weight, which is connected to the crankshaft (KW) and the oil pump gear via a chain, must be in a specific position relative to the crankshaft.

No accident: The vibrations have been gradually increasing since I bought the car in May 2011.

With the fault you described, the vibrations should increase with increasing engine speed, regardless of the load, because the centrifugal forces caused by the imbalance become progressively stronger.
For me, it's clearly load-dependent and only noticeable at low RPMs.

Well, all theory is gray; tomorrow I'm putting in the new pendulum support, and then I'll know if that was the problem.

Best regards,
Georg

A new torque arm has been installed.

The vibrations are almost completely gone, or at least significantly reduced. What remains, I attribute to a generally flimsy suspension of the front axle/transmission/engine. I will stiffen or replace the transmission mount during the timing belt change this summer.


So, in conclusion: A rubber-to-metal bushing can be defective even without any visible external damage, such as cracks.

Best regards,
Georg

Damn.

With the G5, the fun costs three times as much.
Support 30.
Storage Upper Part 25.
Storage compartment bottom 25.

Because your success and my feeling that our Golf 5 with the BLS engine and 137,000 km might also need new suspension components, led me to the idea of tinkering with it.

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.