Engine Mountings: Background

The balancer shafts are most effective within the normal working range of the engine, from 1800 RPM and above. At slower engine speeds, from idling up to 1800 RPM, the balancer shafts are unable to counteract engine vibration. To provide effective damping of engine vibration at speeds below 1800 RPM, the rear and right-hand front engine mountings are of hydraulic type. They are designed to provide the maximum damping effect between idling speed and about 1800 RPM. Hydraulic engine mountings confer the following advantages:

• improved damping of horizontal engine movements during acceleration
• improved damping of vertical engine movements on bumpy roads
• Improved damping of engine movements when idling
• Reduction of structure-borne noise between engine and body.