Martin-STI

Just had front springs and rubber spring seats replaced.
Seems to be ok so far.
4wheel alignment too.

markwild

Mine does this too - OK at speed, but clonks at low speed, and 'settles' when stationary. Worse if there is someone (or someones...) in the back (or a few bags of sand in the boot, as I found out last week!)

I think I'll try the silicone grease method -

a) where do you get it (halfrauds)?>
b) about how much is it ?
c) Where does it go - assume its on the strut itself, so do you reach into the spring ?

Cheers,

Mark

Gary C

Ok

My 53 plate STi rear dampers have started binding again. You can feel the back end drop when pulling off. It also sounds like a 'rattle' when driving.

Talked to the Mech at Kendal Subaru and Subaru know the problem. The strut wears internally, and it is still happening on the new ones.

It needs a strut replacement to fix. Mine has already had 4 replaced and they have gone again.

dadoc

it doesnt need replacement just jack the car up and greese the ram (the shiney bit) i ve done this to a number of scoobs and the problem is gone.silicone grease is used a conuctive grease and costs a couple of quid for a tube.

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

Can you tell me where i can buy silcone grease? the best i can find is silicone lube from wicks which is very runny and cant see it staying on the ram for long.

Gary C

Will try this next time they wear out.

My 53 Plate STi is on its 3rd set of rear struts now.

They definately stick and that causes a knock/dull rattle sound.

bugsti

The following is copied from a post by Scooby Clinic who seem to have devised a permanent fix for the problem.


"The fault manifests at first as banging / knocking when moving slowly, turning slowly and / or reversing, it eventually gets worse knocking all the time. A temporary cure is to pack in a little more grease, but it doesn’t last long, in fact the grease causes dirt to stick to the leg, some of it getting past the scraper seal and aggravating the problem further."

So, it appears grease is not a good idea.

PaulE54

Hi, I've never posted to this before - I only found it because I've had the dreaded rattle twice now and was beginning to doubt the dealer's assurances that this problem was 'unusual'!

I've got a 54-plate UK STI and I had the rear struts replaced under warranty after 30k. Now the near-side one has apparently gone again. The dealer has offered to replace it under warranty.

The good news: They've said that there's been a design modofication and that they'll fit the new-design struts this time (and replace the right-hand one, just in case).

The bad news: They say the struts are on 'back-order' and can't give me a date at the moment when they'll be available!

The question: Has anyone else heard about this? Are they telling the truth that this will cure the rattle?

Thanks for any help. I'll post again when I find out anything.

Phil

Thats what I was told recently and both mine have been replaced

Back order was only for 2/3 days

Fingers crossed this has now solved the problem

bigknd

I own a MY06 STI and had both rear struts replaced at 15K with the modified ones, however over the last few days the rear offside one has started creaking and groaning when going at low speed. Spoke to the dealer and like you say struts are on back order and not due into this country until late November Not sure that the modified ones have actually cured the problem.

Bendalyn

I've go this too '02 STI with 44k miles...

Do i get the impression that there is a new design of strut available - no chance of an admission from SUK that there an actual problem though. 'manufacturer reserve the right to change... 'blah blah. Has anyone had any joy from SUK on an out of warranty good will replacement - parts or part of the cost etc?

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Yes the 05 onwards is same design but a different strut but as bigknd below has the same fault.

The rear inverted Struts seem to generally have a life of 15-25K miles if you check your service history I bet they've been done, if not they were greased before you bought it


PSML you've no chance after warranty and the "Grease fix" is normally just putting off the problem, till either you get used to it or run out of Warranty :; IMHO


The worry is the "Knock" problem is quite noticable or the lighter rear. Fronts OK or it it masked by the weight? I suppose the front is heavier and less movement not causing the wear as rears.

IMHO

Tony

ShyTot

If I had a pound for every time I have read that Subaru have recently redesigned the rear strut, then I would have enough money to buy a new set for my MY02STI the next time they started knocking in another 15K miles, which they surely will.

Mine were recently replaced 1 year outside warranty, and the parts were provided free as a good will gesture!!

ThrustSSC

What's the latest on this one, chaps? My MY03 has now got 104k on the clock, struts were replaced at about 30k miles, and have been banging away again since 60k. I think it's time I got them sorted as they're getting really irritating now...

But... have Subaru finally come up with a part that doesn't just die again, or am I going to be into a cycle of constant replacements or putting up with the noise?

Perhaps I ask IM what length guarantee they put on the replacement parts? If I'm paying for them, I want them to be worth it!

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

yours have lasted well most only last 15-25k miles

I wouldn't bother if it was my money better off getting AST's cheaper and better IMHO

Tony

ThrustSSC

I finally got around to changing mine 10k miles ago - and I paid the full whack and got Subaru parts fitted by a dealer. A few observations:

1) They are doing a lot of these and the dealer I took mine to tried to drag out the job so they could charge more - when they realised it wasn't a warranty job, they behaved again. Obviously they are using these as a cash cow. The job need take no more than an hour max - not the three or so quoted. I do not like paying for extensive 'safety checks' on my car when it had an MoT 2 weeks previously.
2) I had them fitted by a main dealer (although I could have done it myself) as that ups the warranty from 1 year/12k to 3 years/60k. If they need changing again in the time I'll own the car, it'll be free
3) They reckon the latest design cures the problem - let's see...

linky

Just afew things i have noticed heres my 10pence worth !

1)In my case the knocking noise is from the internal wear in the shock and not the top mount. This causes transverse movement of the shock and the internals hit the outer casing, in my case anyway.
2) Grease does nothing except maybe mask it for a short period. I tired this and it seem to work for about 2 days then started knocking again
3)in my humble opinion , NSR fails mostly as this is the shock that gets most of the greif during normal running (in the UK anyway) its always in the gutter where there are more holes, covers, grates etc

SUK would not replace my shocks even though the car has done only 23000 miles as it is a 04' sti type uk and i was told it was out of warrenty.

I took a grinder to my old rear strut and cut it open and found that the top bush in the shock was ovaled allowing the transverse movement discussed above.

davedipster

That oval wear is due to the side loadings put on the shock by the rear suspension design.
I can't see how this can be stopped without changing the way the rear suspension moves. Even changing the rear shocks to coilovers does not cure this, after time these new coilovers will wear out.
The front suspension does not have these excessive side loadings and hence does not wear out the front struts.

Just what I have read on NASIOC.

Dipster

JORD W

Add me to the ongoing list! 36,000 miles and the NSR has been knocking away for the last 2 months! going to carstins on Friday to see what can be done! car is outside of warranty but i am the only owner from new, with full subaru service history and hoping for a good will gesture! We shall see.....

ThrustSSC

Well, you can sleep easy once it's done. I had the new ones fitted 40-50k miles ago now, and they're still quiet as a baby. Looks like the latest redesign of these components works.

2 months to go until it's 6 years old, 151k on the clock, going like a dream... And it's now getting 25mpg at 90+ mph on the motorway cruise - much better than the 21mpg when it was new

rickya

iTrader: (18)

And me OSR rattling like marble in a tin can, after only 10,000 miles with a few track days thrown in Gona have to get some £££ together over the next few months for some BC coilovers.

superstu55

Well my 05 sti with 31.000 has just joined the rear strut knocking club, but strangely mine is worse on the drivers side, i suppose getting to 31.000 miles on the original struts i have done well? what are the chances of getting any good will from subaru with a car 18 monts out of warranty, with a problem they are well aware of??
If not does anybody know the cost of new rear struts and what subaru would charge to fit them?? or would i be better off getting them fitted elsewhere?? Any advice would be much appreciated thanks...

urban

iTrader: (1)

Goodwill - not a chance.

MY05's don't have the same fault by the way (At least thats what I was told by Subaru)
I'm one of the original posters on this thread my last 02 STI has struts changed god knows how many times.
Had a similar fault with my new MY05 - but it turned out it was really faulty and was leaking.
Touch wood - never had any other suspension problems with it and its now got 57,000 miles on it.

superstu55

Thanks for the reply, a friend of mine had the problem on a 06 hawkeye but luckily for him they were replaced by subaru while under warranty. Any idea of the cost of rear struts? Cheers..

grahamc

iTrader: (10)

So this sounds pretty much like the issue I have with my 2002 UK STi.... Clunking at low speeds from the left rear and even louder with passengers in the rear and the front drivers when reverse up my driveway, which has quite a sharpish incline.

So is the best fix to go for up-rated coilovers? I plan to go for coilovers in about 3-4 months time. Will the current struts work correctly (except the clunking noise) for the next few months? I dont do many miles, (10 per day) but its used for commuting so is needed. Whats the worst that can happen? Complete strut failure? Compramised handling?