Why is there a block of metal bolted to the engine subframe?

I replaced the engine subframe on my mk3 Golf yesterday.
Why does the subframe have a large block of metal bolted onto it?

 

Its just a dead weight for balancing Not sure what it balances exactly though...

Neil.

 

I've asked the same in the past, seen many on them but make no sence

why would you need to balance a 1800 single point injection 5 door GL?

good news is they make great metal working blocks

 

is it really? always thought it was to ''redirect'' drive and other bits in the even of a crash? are we talking about the block with the angled edge on it?

 

It’s a vibration damper, quite a few manufacturers use them in various positions, you need to see the lump of steel on the back corner of the TT’s

 

is handy to hold the driveshaft up too......

 

yep

adds mass to the subframe to move its resonant frequency away from the frequency of vibrations created by the engine so you dont get loads of noise in the cabin.

rolls royces etc have loads of them dotted around the whole car.

 

took mine off ...doesnt seem to make any differance

might have done on a brand new one i spose

 

so is it not advisable to take it off, my corrado as one and its heavy enough as it is

 

get rid of it.. easiest weight saving you will make.
its got to weight 2-3 kg's

 

well ill be damned!

 

Got rid of mine ages ago while doing abf swap in my rado

just couldn work out what it does so i binned it

 

it makes sense, think i need couple on the mk 4 then!

 

as stated it's a harmonic damper for balancing out vibrations etc.. they even put some in buildings, Taipei 101 par example

 

It's not a damper...it's a mass.
Anyway, I know what you mean.