STi7/UK Suspension rattle: here we go again
29 December 2003, 02:22 AM
#151
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Hi Phil
Although I don't have an Sti 7 (or anything remotely similar
), I do have an issue with rattling rear suspension on my (North American) Impreza 2.5RS (w/Prodrive kit) and have been following this thread with interest.
This may be old news, but have you checked out Pete Croney's explanation for suspension rattle on Scoobys? Pete, obviously, is talking about coilover suspension, where the spring is usually much closer to the damper. So I don't know if this applies, but, just maybe, it's another piece in the puzzle.....
So just in case, from Scoobysport's website:
Happy Holidays, all.
John
[Edited by superstring - 12/29/2003 2:29:20 AM]
Although I don't have an Sti 7 (or anything remotely similar
), I do have an issue with rattling rear suspension on my (North American) Impreza 2.5RS (w/Prodrive kit) and have been following this thread with interest.This may be old news, but have you checked out Pete Croney's explanation for suspension rattle on Scoobys? Pete, obviously, is talking about coilover suspension, where the spring is usually much closer to the damper. So I don't know if this applies, but, just maybe, it's another piece in the puzzle.....
So just in case, from Scoobysport's website:
Coilover suspension, when fitted to an Impreza, is almost always noisy at the rear. This is due to the excentric loads transmitted by the offset mounting point on an Impreza hub.
These loads cause lateral movement in the damper this results in the damper body to hitting the spring. The noise is most pronounced at slow speed and is very annoying. Scoobysport G Trac utilizes a unique spring that has been wound specifically for this project. Using high chrome steel and a progressive rated spring, G Trac runs with noise levels of a standard road car.
These loads cause lateral movement in the damper this results in the damper body to hitting the spring. The noise is most pronounced at slow speed and is very annoying. Scoobysport G Trac utilizes a unique spring that has been wound specifically for this project. Using high chrome steel and a progressive rated spring, G Trac runs with noise levels of a standard road car.
John
[Edited by superstring - 12/29/2003 2:29:20 AM]
29 December 2003, 06:54 PM
#152
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Hi Superstring!
Thanks for a really helpful post. Pete did contribute earlier in this long running saga, giving a diagram of the shock absorber setup with the inverted struts but not going so far (IIRR) as claiming that it might be cured using a different coilover nor indicating that Scoobysport had/might have such a beast suitable for STi7 (and maybe they don't for STi7 specifically, since I imagine there's need for design/redesign for different models). Encouraged by you, I'll raise the issue with him again....
Happy New Year!
Phil
(Edit for having submitted by accident before post was complete
)
PS - Interesting BBS ID - you a theoretical physicist by any chance?
[Edited by Phil Harrison - 12/29/2003 7:01:12 PM]
Thanks for a really helpful post. Pete did contribute earlier in this long running saga, giving a diagram of the shock absorber setup with the inverted struts but not going so far (IIRR) as claiming that it might be cured using a different coilover nor indicating that Scoobysport had/might have such a beast suitable for STi7 (and maybe they don't for STi7 specifically, since I imagine there's need for design/redesign for different models). Encouraged by you, I'll raise the issue with him again....
Happy New Year!
Phil
(Edit for having submitted by accident before post was complete
)PS - Interesting BBS ID - you a theoretical physicist by any chance?
[Edited by Phil Harrison - 12/29/2003 7:01:12 PM]
30 December 2003, 11:55 AM
#154
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strings / superstrings - currently the theoretical physicists' view of the basis of all matter. Don't follow it up - it'll hurt your head!!
Happy New Year
Phil
Happy New Year
Phil
30 December 2003, 01:30 PM
#155
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My rattling is now horrendous and the way the car physically shudders when the car accelerates/brakes really puts the ***** up you.
I had an interesting reply from Mike Wood about the problem, but this wouldn't apply to you Phil as you have pretty much had the whole suspension setup replaced by now anyway.
I'll keep my fingers crossed and keep driving the thing, god help IM/Subaru if something fails whilst I'm being forced to drive this car like this though.
Edit - 58,000 miles now.
[Edited by Big Goon - 12/30/2003 1:33:33 PM]
I had an interesting reply from Mike Wood about the problem, but this wouldn't apply to you Phil as you have pretty much had the whole suspension setup replaced by now anyway.
Shane,
The knocking etc is caused by the dampers being worn and changing the top mounts (to 03MY type) won't stop the noise as the dampers need changing as well. The new topmounts and the appropriate springs are designed to stop the new dampers wearing in the same manner though.
It would be possible to still have the new topmounts but you also need our 03MY spring kit to suit.
I had a call from Subaru today about this issue and they are going to have a discussion internally about the best way forward. Your dealer should get back to you fairly soon with a solution.
Regards,
Mike
The knocking etc is caused by the dampers being worn and changing the top mounts (to 03MY type) won't stop the noise as the dampers need changing as well. The new topmounts and the appropriate springs are designed to stop the new dampers wearing in the same manner though.
It would be possible to still have the new topmounts but you also need our 03MY spring kit to suit.
I had a call from Subaru today about this issue and they are going to have a discussion internally about the best way forward. Your dealer should get back to you fairly soon with a solution.
Regards,
Mike
Edit - 58,000 miles now.
[Edited by Big Goon - 12/30/2003 1:33:33 PM]
30 December 2003, 04:56 PM
#156
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Some interesting points, Tho' dependent on the date of Mike's comments. 1) "Wear"..... mine was from new: indeed, on day 2 of ownership I asked my dealer to tighten up the exhaust, since the rattle was that loud and typical of a loose exhaust!! 2) "Subaru are going to have discussions..." Comforting, that is, after 22 months, countless cross customers, and probably 25 pages in total on SN...!!
My thoughts are the same as yours: my rattle is now merely irritating rather than intrusive, but the fact is that two metal surfaces are striking each other which, on the face of it, should not be striking each other. And any materials scientist will tell you, that that represents an added chance - maybe small - of failure. And I share your view, that if I were to suffer such a failure - and walk away from the consequences - I would doubtless be vigorous in my pursuit of S-UK....
Meanwhile, I've been told that there is no prejudice to the car's safety, so I take that at face value and drive accordingly
Happy New Year,
Phil
My thoughts are the same as yours: my rattle is now merely irritating rather than intrusive, but the fact is that two metal surfaces are striking each other which, on the face of it, should not be striking each other. And any materials scientist will tell you, that that represents an added chance - maybe small - of failure. And I share your view, that if I were to suffer such a failure - and walk away from the consequences - I would doubtless be vigorous in my pursuit of S-UK....
Meanwhile, I've been told that there is no prejudice to the car's safety, so I take that at face value and drive accordingly
Happy New Year,
Phil
01 January 2004, 06:05 PM
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Jesus, this thread is over a year old now !
Driving about today and noticed that there is a knock coming from the front now too.
Has anybody got an STi7/8 with higher mileage than me ? 58,000
Or is everybody going to start getting the same problems as me when they catch up ??
I can tell you one thing that's for certain, if my car isn't fixed at the next dealer visit then the car is going to get dumped outside of SUK head office, I'll hire something else to use in the interim and SUK will be picking up the tab. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Driving about today and noticed that there is a knock coming from the front now too.
Has anybody got an STi7/8 with higher mileage than me ? 58,000
Or is everybody going to start getting the same problems as me when they catch up ??
I can tell you one thing that's for certain, if my car isn't fixed at the next dealer visit then the car is going to get dumped outside of SUK head office, I'll hire something else to use in the interim and SUK will be picking up the tab. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
01 January 2004, 06:24 PM
#162
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......And this isn't the longest thread we've had on the topic either! The original was a ten pager, and there have been at least a dozen other short threads!!!!
You've really got to me here - spooky!!!!! Over the past week, I've been saying to myself ' Hmm the rattle seems to come right across the back, now' and 'Front didn't used to be that noisy' - but I've been in a 'is this real or am I imagining it?' mode; and certainly not to the extent of asking the question on SN. So your post has really struck home. My '7 is 22 months 20K miles.
tho'.
It seem that the rattle doesn't prevent you from corneriing accurately tho, BG
Phil
PS, Don't suppose you get a sort of creak from the front as you scrub away the last 10 MPH or so on braking gently to a halt, do you??
You've really got to me here - spooky!!!!! Over the past week, I've been saying to myself ' Hmm the rattle seems to come right across the back, now' and 'Front didn't used to be that noisy' - but I've been in a 'is this real or am I imagining it?' mode; and certainly not to the extent of asking the question on SN. So your post has really struck home. My '7 is 22 months 20K miles.
tho'.
It seem that the rattle doesn't prevent you from corneriing accurately tho, BG
Phil
PS, Don't suppose you get a sort of creak from the front as you scrub away the last 10 MPH or so on braking gently to a halt, do you??
01 January 2004, 06:39 PM
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After my 8 had a new clutch fitted afte 8,000 miles, often when I braked or accelerated, particularly if it was over a grid etc. I would get a definate clunk from the front. If I got a clunk when accelerating, I wouldn't get another noise until I had had a reciprocal clunk whilst braking. It went into the 'dealers' twice and they couldn't sort it. No surprise there then.
Just gimme one of those JD Power survey forms....
Just gimme one of those JD Power survey forms....
02 January 2004, 02:28 PM
#165
Oh Hello Phil!
Well I'm a day 1 man, in fact I took my STI7 back to the dealers withing 2 hours of initial pickup and told him that I thought the exhaust or boot spoiler was loose!
That was also 22 months ago, and i've had numerous replacement struts/other bits.
But some of it has quite funny memories though, like me driving the car with a mechanic locked in the boot, another chap in the front and another in the rear listening for noises etc.
With the occaisional muffled "**** ya" from the boot when I accidently went over a bump/hold in the ground!
Anyway, much like Phil's and others my knocking noise is just a bit annoying every now and then(it has to be said)....which I'll live with until such times as it becomes back to the original noise on day 1(which hopefully it won't).
Shaun
Well I'm a day 1 man, in fact I took my STI7 back to the dealers withing 2 hours of initial pickup and told him that I thought the exhaust or boot spoiler was loose!
That was also 22 months ago, and i've had numerous replacement struts/other bits.
But some of it has quite funny memories though, like me driving the car with a mechanic locked in the boot, another chap in the front and another in the rear listening for noises etc.
With the occaisional muffled "**** ya" from the boot when I accidently went over a bump/hold in the ground!
Anyway, much like Phil's and others my knocking noise is just a bit annoying every now and then(it has to be said)....which I'll live with until such times as it becomes back to the original noise on day 1(which hopefully it won't).
Shaun
02 January 2004, 10:31 PM
#167
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My STi 7 has started to creak and knock from the rear left hand side again.
Has been fixed once, but over the last few weeks it has come back again.
Current mileage 30k.
In for a service in 2 weeks time so this will be added to the list.
Has been fixed once, but over the last few weeks it has come back again.
Current mileage 30k.
In for a service in 2 weeks time so this will be added to the list.
03 January 2004, 08:48 PM
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Not many people over here would have any experience of an STi7 wagon, but the suspension is exactly the same so it's highly likely I would think.
Get some pics up in the members gallery.
My rattly piece of crap is really getting on my **** today, I have knocks, rattles and judders coming from all over the place.
I can honestly say that my old GSi Vectra estate had better build quality.
Get some pics up in the members gallery.
My rattly piece of crap is really getting on my **** today, I have knocks, rattles and judders coming from all over the place.
I can honestly say that my old GSi Vectra estate had better build quality.
08 January 2004, 06:54 PM
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just picked mine up after having its 2nd fix, only driven it down the m4 from cardiff so cant tell if its fixed yet, if it is the next battle is getting im to pay for whatever i need to fit the prodrive springs on it
mark
mark
09 January 2004, 03:51 PM
#171
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Hmm, Subaru Customer services have no record of Sparshatts ever contacting them regarding my rattles, so fukc it I chopped the bag of **** in for a Legacy Tourer.
I really wanted to move away from Scoobs, but only Scoob dealers were offering reasonable money for my old car and I fancied something a bit bigger/comfier so the Legacy fits the bill.
If I hear a single rattle coming from the back of my new car I'll shove it up the salesman **** sideways.
£500 less to insure as a bonus too.
I really wanted to move away from Scoobs, but only Scoob dealers were offering reasonable money for my old car and I fancied something a bit bigger/comfier so the Legacy fits the bill.
If I hear a single rattle coming from the back of my new car I'll shove it up the salesman **** sideways.
£500 less to insure as a bonus too.
31 March 2004, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by msp1
Had my second fix on New Years Eve. New top mount, spring and bushes. Also greased drive shafts.
Time will tell.
Mike
Time will tell.
Mike
3 months down the road and the knocking is back with a vengeance.
Sorry to bring this thread back to life but I know lots of you will sympathise. Has anyone had a newer fix than the one I've had, is there a Prodrive fix............?
PLEASE PLEASE HELP
Mike
01 April 2004, 06:29 AM
#173
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msp1,
My MY02 STi has been in for knocking 3 times and had a fix.
Anyhow, rather than retype the whole lot again, here is my current update if you want to read.
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=313908
My MY02 STi has been in for knocking 3 times and had a fix.
Anyhow, rather than retype the whole lot again, here is my current update if you want to read.
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=313908
01 April 2004, 05:40 PM
#174
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Hi Mark, saw the thread about shock absorber.
Booked mine in again for next Friday, I had the shock replaced on the first fix so don't hold out much hope. Of 2 other Welsh scoobynetters I know with STi7's who've also had the 2nd fix, both have the knocking again.
I'll keep you posted
Mike
Booked mine in again for next Friday, I had the shock replaced on the first fix so don't hold out much hope. Of 2 other Welsh scoobynetters I know with STi7's who've also had the 2nd fix, both have the knocking again.
I'll keep you posted
Mike
01 April 2004, 06:39 PM
#175
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Hi Mike,
Mines going in on Monday for the shock replacement. If like the last 3 times, the problem should re-occur very soon after if it doesn't actually fix it.
Fingers crossed then
Mines going in on Monday for the shock replacement. If like the last 3 times, the problem should re-occur very soon after if it doesn't actually fix it.
Fingers crossed then
02 April 2004, 10:59 AM
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havnt bothered winging about mine again, yet, getting a bit narked with the 120 mile round trip, the need to take a nite off as i work nites only, the whole day spent at the dealer as i cant get there till 10 am as i have to take the kids to school, might wait till its due a service in september
mark
mark
19 April 2004, 01:22 PM
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Ohh ****
Looks like a can of worms...
not seen this thead b4 just and oh dear... mines been knocking like mad NSR I'm sure i can actualy feel it move when i set off or stop... knocks like mad over slow bumpy surface i.e. walking speed... Just been in for a first fix... ok for about 4 hours driving then it was back sounds even worse now... took it back on Friday and thier ordering a new strut... great i siad not having read this... now i'm propper pi$$ed off!
Can't someone at SUK get a grip on this....
Will post the outcome... Going to get my buddy who's good spanner head to have a look now too.
not seen this thead b4 just and oh dear... mines been knocking like mad NSR I'm sure i can actualy feel it move when i set off or stop... knocks like mad over slow bumpy surface i.e. walking speed... Just been in for a first fix... ok for about 4 hours driving then it was back sounds even worse now... took it back on Friday and thier ordering a new strut... great i siad not having read this... now i'm propper pi$$ed off!
Can't someone at SUK get a grip on this....
Will post the outcome... Going to get my buddy who's good spanner head to have a look now too.
19 April 2004, 01:58 PM
#178
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Had my shock replaced 3-4 weeks ago and is now perfect. NO MORE KNOCKING
Dazza - Yes I could feel the car jolting especially from when coming to a halt. Like the car was slumping on one side.
Anyhow, no problems getting the shock replaced under warranty (shame they would only replace one though and not both)...
Dazza - Yes I could feel the car jolting especially from when coming to a halt. Like the car was slumping on one side.
Anyhow, no problems getting the shock replaced under warranty (shame they would only replace one though and not both)...
19 April 2004, 03:26 PM
#179
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Originally Posted by marklemac
Had my shock replaced 3-4 weeks ago and is now perfect. NO MORE KNOCKING
Dazza - Yes I could feel the car jolting especially from when coming to a halt. Like the car was slumping on one side.
Anyhow, no problems getting the shock replaced under warranty (shame they would only replace one though and not both)...
Dazza - Yes I could feel the car jolting especially from when coming to a halt. Like the car was slumping on one side.
Anyhow, no problems getting the shock replaced under warranty (shame they would only replace one though and not both)...
i can't quite see how they can not fix it... its a physical thing and it moves and you can feel it move and hear it... why the hell can't they seem to get a grip on it...! Time a letter to autocar... MMmmmm
19 April 2004, 06:57 PM
#180
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Well mine went in last week. They took the car for a test drive and agreed that there was a knocking noise, glad I booked half day off work to be told something I already knew Anyway, despite what I was led to believe from the previous 2 fixes they have never changed the shock. They are on back order, I've been told they will contact me in 3 weeks. Lets wait and see
Mike
Anyway, despite what I was led to believe from the previous 2 fixes they have never changed the shock. They are on back order, I've been told they will contact me in 3 weeks. Lets wait and see Mike