Does your Audi thunk into gear from Park, bang on the 1-2 shift, or shudder when you roll back into the throttle? Before you blame the transmission and brace for an Audi Tax invoice, check the mount holding it. An Audi transmission mount upgrade is one of the cheapest, most noticeable fixes you can make: it replaces soft, voided factory rubber with a firmer mount (or fills the void with a billet insert), so the gearbox stops rocking and your inputs go to the pavement instead of into the chassis. For B8, B8.5, B9, 4M and D5 cars, start with the TruShift transmission upgrade mount for B8/B9/4M/D5.
This guide covers how the factory mount fails, the symptoms, what to look for in an upgrade, and which Vorsprung part fits your platform. If you are already deep in the drivetrain rabbit hole, our Torsen vs Haldex explainer covers what sits behind that transmission.
Why the Factory Audi Transmission Mount Lets You Down
Audi engineers tuned the factory mounts for one customer: the person who never wants to feel the car do anything. So the rubber is soft, and on many platforms it is molded around a hollow void to soak up vibration. That works fine on day one. Add some age, heat from the exhaust and transmission, a tune, or just a heavy right foot, and the rubber takes a set, cracks, or tears. Now the transmission has room to rock fore and aft every time torque changes direction.
You feel that movement as:
- ✅ A clunk or thump when shifting from Park into Drive or Reverse
- ✅ A delayed, rubbery "wind-up" before the car actually moves on throttle tip-in
- ✅ A bang on quick upshifts or downshifts, especially on S tronic cars
- ✅ Extra vibration in the cabin at idle in gear
- ✅ Visible cracking, sagging, or separation in the mount rubber when you look from underneath
Worn engine mounts cause the same symptoms, and the two work as a team: when one side is soft, the other takes extra load. That is why many owners do the transmission mount and engine mounts together. And yes, the dealer will happily sell you another factory mount built with the exact same soft rubber, so you can do this job again in a few years. That is the Audi Tax in its natural habitat.
What to Look For in an Audi Transmission Mount Upgrade
Not every "performance" mount is a good idea on a daily driver. A fully solid mount can make the cabin buzz like a cheap massage chair. Here is the short checklist we use:
- ✅ Hardness you can live with. A firmer rubber compound (measured in durometer) cuts movement without passing every vibration through the seat. Look for a stated number, not just "sport."
- ✅ No voids to collapse. The factory weak point is the empty space in the rubber. Either the replacement mount eliminates it or an insert fills it.
- ✅ Direct fit. No drilling, cutting, or modifying the crossmember or brackets.
- ✅ Platform-specific design. B8/B9 mounts, C7 mounts and 4M mounts are not interchangeable. Buy for your chassis code, not your badge.
- ✅ A plan for the rest of the drivetrain. Engine mounts, subframe bushings and the rear differential carrier all move too. The transmission mount is the first domino, not the last.
Vorsprung vs Typical Name-Brand vs Dealer Transmission Mounts
The quick version: the dealer part restores the soft factory feel (and the factory failure mode). Typical name-brand upgrades usually come as either a billet insert or a stiffer mount, often priced like a premium suspension part. The Vorsprung TruShift line gives you a firmer, void-free rubber mount built for daily driving, starting at $19.99 for B8, B9, 4M and D5 cars and $74.99 for the C7 and 4M Q7/Q8 V2 mount, with a $39.99 billet insert option for C7 and 4M owners who want to keep the factory mount.
| Feature | Vorsprung TruShift | Typical name-brand option | Dealer/OEM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber | 65 durometer (V1) or 70A (V2), firmer than stock | Varies: insert, poly, or stiffer rubber | Soft factory rubber with voids |
| Drivetrain slop | Reduced | Reduced, NVH varies by design | Returns as rubber ages |
| Daily comfort | Tuned for daily use | Ranges from mild to harsh | Softest |
| Install | Direct bolt-on | Usually bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| Price | $19.99 (V1), $74.99 (V2), $39.99 (billet insert) | Premium-priced | Audi Tax applies |
Ready to stop the clunk? The Audi TruShift transmission mount upgrade is the easiest win on a B8, B9, 4M or D5.
✅ Firmer, void-free mount rubber ✅ Audi platform fitment help from real 3.0T/4.0T owners ✅ Fast US shipping
Shop the TruShift Transmission Mount, $19.99
The Vorsprung Mount and Insert Lineup
TruShift Transmission Upgrade Mount (B8/B8.5, B9/B9.5, 4M, D5)
The TruShift mount uses 65 durometer rubber throughout, firm enough to kill the rocking but tuned so you are not buying a new source of cabin buzz. It bolts straight in with no modifications.
TruShift Mount Upgrade V2 (C7/C7.5, 4M Q7/Q8)
The TruShift V2 for C7 and 4M Q7/Q8 steps up to 70A durometer rubber and a matte Vorsprung Blue coating. It is a direct replacement for the factory mount, $74.99.
Billet Transmission Mount Insert (C7, 4M)
Want to keep your factory mount? The billet transmission mount insert for C7 and 4M is CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum, clear anodized, and fills the void molded into the factory rubber. It works with both S tronic and Tiptronic cars on the listed platforms, installs in roughly 20 to 30 minutes and is fully reversible. At $39.99 it is the budget route, as long as the factory rubber is not already torn.
Finish the Job: Engine Mounts, Subframe and Diff Inserts
On B8/B8.5 A4, A5, Q5, S4, S5 and SQ5 (2008-2016), pair the transmission mount with TruSport engine mounts ($299.99 a pair): void-free 65A rubber, no fluid to leak, and a built-in plug-and-play emulator for cars with active engine mounts. The TruSport DynaCore 65A engine mounts ($249.99 a pair) add a fluid isolation core for extra refinement. Behind the gearbox, billet subframe inserts for B8/B8.5 or the C7 billet subframe inserts ($79.99 each) and the billet rear differential carrier inserts ($44.99) take the slop out of the rest of the driveline. Browse the full transmission mounts collection or the wider drivetrain components range.
Audi Transmission Mount Upgrade Fitment by Platform
B8/B8.5 (2008-2017): A4, A5, S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q5 and SQ5, including the EA837 3.0T supercharged S4, S5 and SQ5. Use the TruShift mount for B8/B8.5.
B9/B9.5 (2017 on): A4, A5, S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q5 and SQ5, including the EA839 3.0T S4, S5 and SQ5. Same TruShift mount.
4M/4M.5 V8 and D5: the product page lists the SQ7, SQ8 and RSQ8 4.0T and the D5 S8 under the V1 TruShift.
C7/C7.5 (2012-2018/2019 depending on model): A6, S6, A7, S7 and RS7, including the EA837 3.0T A6 and A7. Use the TruShift V2 or the billet insert.
4M Q7 (2017-2019) and 4M.5 Q7/Q8 (2020-2024): including the 3.0T supercharged Q7. Use the TruShift V2 or the billet insert.
Not sure which chassis you have? Your VIN decode, build sheet or door jamb sticker will tell you. When in doubt, ask us before you order.
Install Notes
- ✅ Support the transmission. A full mount swap means taking load off the gearbox with a transmission jack or support bar before unbolting anything. Work on a lift or quality jack stands.
- ✅ Inspect while you are there. Look at the engine mounts, exhaust hangers and subframe bushings. If one mount is torn, the others have been working overtime.
- ✅ Torque to spec. Use your factory service information for fastener torque, and replace stretch bolts where Audi specifies them.
- ✅ Expect a short break-in. You will notice a firmer, more direct feel right away. That is the point.
Planning more power? Our Audi S4 mods roadmap shows where mounts fit in a sensible build order.
FAQ
What are the symptoms of a bad Audi transmission mount?
The usual signs are a clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse, a bang on quick shifts, a delayed or rubbery feel on throttle tip-in, extra vibration at idle in gear, and visibly cracked or sagging mount rubber.
Is an Audi transmission mount upgrade worth it on a daily driver?
Yes, if you pick a firmer rubber mount rather than a solid one. The TruShift mounts use 65 durometer (V1) or 70A (V2) rubber to cut drivetrain movement without adding excessive cabin vibration.
Should I get a full mount or a transmission mount insert?
An insert is a good budget fix when the factory rubber is still healthy, because it only fills the void. If the factory mount is cracked, sagging or torn, replace the whole mount.
Will a stiffer transmission mount make my Audi vibrate more?
Any firmer mount passes through a bit more feel than the soft factory part, but a tuned rubber mount is far milder than a solid mount. Most owners describe it as more connected, not harsh.
Which TruShift mount fits my Audi?
The TruShift V1 fits B8/B8.5 and B9/B9.5 A4, A5, S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q5 and SQ5, plus 4M SQ7/SQ8/RSQ8 and D5 S8. The TruShift V2 fits C7/C7.5 A6, S6, A7, S7, RS7 and 4M/4M.5 Q7 and Q8.
Should I replace engine mounts at the same time?
It is a smart move if they are original. Engine and transmission mounts share the load, so a worn engine mount will keep causing clunks and vibration even after a transmission mount upgrade.
How long does a transmission mount upgrade take?
The C7/4M billet insert takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A full mount swap takes longer because the transmission has to be supported while the mount is replaced; plan on an unhurried session on a lift or jack stands.
Bottom Line on the Audi Transmission Mount Upgrade
If your Audi clunks, thumps or feels vague between your foot and the tires, the factory mount is the usual suspect, and replacing it with the same soft rubber just resets the clock. An Audi transmission mount upgrade fixes the cause for less than most people spend on a tank of fuel and a car wash. Grab the TruShift transmission mount upgrade for B8, B9, 4M and D5, or the TruShift V2 for C7 and 4M Q7/Q8, and feel the difference on the first shift.
Shop the TruShift Transmission Mount, $19.99
Drive the difference. Drive Vorsprung.
Prices checked September 25, 2026 and subject to change.
