Since I couldn't find my 1st choice, a 1LE mount, I decided on the ES poly trans mount after reading many good posts on it...

Don't use the plate supplied by ES, toss it...

Grind down the 2 big 'humps' on the side that mounts to the trans...

Using verner calipers , I measured 1.8" on the stock mount height AND on the ES mount...
Thats why you toss the plate & smooth down the 'humps'. To make the ES mount the same height as the stocker...

I drilled 2 more holes in my crossmember so that I could use ALL three holes in the bottom of the ES mount...
Probaby 100% of you guys are just using that one center hole...
By using ALL three holes, this ES mount will be a lot stronger. I used 10mm socket head cap screws for the 2 outer holes, & a normal 10mm bolt with built in washer for the center hole...

It took an extra 30 minutes to do all 3 holes, & I really think it's the best thing to do...
The holes are close together, & you MUST measure twice, & mark & drill carefully...
You only have 1/4"-3/8" of thread holding on just one 10mm bolt, if you don't use all 3 holes... And if it fails, you gone a bust a whole lotta things up ... Take the extra 30 minutes to make a 'bullet' proof install, & a much stronger install...

This ES trans mount is super... NO vibrations at all on my A4 car...

Dave

 

Nice write up Dave. I was in Ramchargers yesterday and noticed that the Prothane mount did not come with a "preload" plate. I haven`t heared about anyone using the Prothane mount but it seems to be a better design. Like you, I installed my ES mount w/o the spacer plate and I ground down the humps. Seems to be working out pretty well. I like your idea about drilling the cross member to utilize all three holes also. I might look into it.