Topic

What is it anyway?

This torque tamer is there to limit the engine's rotation when power is applied. Most will have noticed that the 'k' series will rock forward and back as it revs. There is a beautiful poly bush solution that Clive has already fitted The polybushes are much stiffer than the original rubber. Clive mentioned a very slight increase in vibration at tickover.
This is an idea to replace the bush with a substance that is equally as durable as the poly bushes but not as stiff. It is probably allowing 50% less movement than the original. Plus hopefully not transfer any vibration from the engine to the body of the car.

Darren supplied me with one of his torque tamer shackles. Basically Darren has replaced the standard rubber bush with a special poly mix as above. Darren can supply more technical details.

This is what you get.



Here is the original in place attaching the engine sump to the subframe.

The two bolts are both 15mm hex head, the shorter one at the sump end is easier to take out.




The larger bolt holding the subframe end is more problematic. Well it was for me. Lots of release fluid and a solid 'L' bar attachment on a good socket got it moving. The exhaust is a pain when you are trying to fully withdraw the bolt, but it can be manoeuvred out.

A comparison of old and new.



The original is very soft, and allows much more movement than Darren's.

In replacing you can feel the difference as it is difficult to line up the holes to insert the bolts.



I found that I had to lift the engine slightly on my jack to get both bolts in, and again the bigger bolt had to be 'encouraged' past the exhaust.

A quick test drive suggests it is doing its job.
There did seem to be a smoother take up of power, but it will take a little while to be sure of the benefits.There was no increase in vibration, rather the reverse if anything.

Obviously energy expended in rotating the entire engine is better used in rotating the crank.
The advantage of the material over the original should be its longevity and being a lot less prone to losing stiffness.

http://www.the-t-bar.com/en/forum/22-cjjs-guides/15329-torque-tamer-bushes-how-to-fit

Welcome to the club.

I actually like the extra vibes from the engine too, as it makes you feel more in touch with the engine.

cheers, I noticed that your exhaust is routed differently to standard. That'll be the 421 i take it?

It still takes the same route, more or less, but there is more of it until it becomes the one pipe.

David,

Did you have "symptoms" that original one was worn out? Lately I have been getting an exhaust "clonk" from time to time and I am wondering if the clonk is due to the bottom engine mount being worn out?

I went the same route as Clive... But Darrens solutaon is a neat idea..

Im going to fit the Vibration Solutions engine mounts too....

I wasn't getting any clonking from this area, but I have recently had to replace the middle pipe with flexi and the offside engine mount(which was the source of clonking.) The mount had pulled out of the top of the rubber cone.



By relacing this shackle, I'm working on the theory that prevention is better than the cure!

I'm thinking prevention too in terms of saving the exhaust's flex connection. I think I'll add this project to the list.

Just a quick update.
After a few hundred miles, I can confirm that this modification does seem to give a smoother takeup from low speed gearchanges. So i can reinforce my intial impression. Thumbs Up!