YorkshireSimon

Dazza mate

My MY02 has been doing it for a couple of months, only slightly. Since getting the 19" wheels on, it has become much more noticeable!

Pretty much the same, come to a slow halt, then car feels like it drops at the rear end by a CM or so.

I have also started to feel something else tho on mine, just in the past few weeks. As I start to move off again from a stand still. I can hear a cluncking noise, sounds like it is also from the rear. Not sure if I have a CV joint or rear diff issue as well.

Gonna take mine in to Goldens on Saturday and get one of the lads to come out on a road test with me. I think it is about time I exercised my warranty.

If yours has not been done before the karting night, I wouldn't mind you coming out in mine to listen, and also me have a listen to yours, if you don't mind, as I suspect we both have very similar issues in the strut area.

Cheers

Simon

DeerHunter

there is the modified topmount but after ordering it from the dealer to be fitted during the 12 month service they forgot! still havnt had it done and it still rattles! just need to be arsed to take it back and moan!

G00ner

Modded top mount won't fit the Prodrive springs tho.

It is scandalous that people are still suffering with this problem, I can tell you for certain that as the miles clock up your problems will only get worse.

My car was apparently the highest mileage STi7/MY02STi in the UK at the time, so now a few of you guys are starting to catch up you will indeed get all the problems that I had with my rattly old pile of ****.

Good luck.

StoneSTI

I had mine tops fixed 2 weeks ago. At first it was great, however its started again already.

I will take it back to the dealer again but if it happens again perhaps we should contact Top Gear or 5th Gear. Should that would make IM Subaru do something about it.

Simon

KnobbySP1

MY STi7 had the left rear rattle from new - had it replaced and it's come back in the last few weeks.

Just dropped it off at the dealers this morning and they say a bulletin has gone out and there is a replacement/re-designed part that fixes the problem.

I'll report back when mine has been "fixed"

marklemac

guys,

I had the 'fix' applied 3 times, however it was not the 'fix' that fixed my problem.

The rattle/creaking noise was caused by a badly fitted spoiler and the whole boot lid assembly wasn't fitted correctly.

The knocking noise was cured by replacing the shock absorber.

Shock was replaced about 6 weeks ago and everything is now fine and dandy.

BAH

I picked mine up on Saturday

I noticed the knock on the test drive and the dealer said its a known problem and the strut top required to be replaced. They have done that and it was ok for a day and has started again.....

Back to the dealer again....

Any further updates on this....???? Or should i take the car back and get a refund only had it 3 days....

Also, just a thought would adding a rear strut brace have any effect on this problem, does anyone have one fitted and still suffers from the problem.....?

BAH

Whent back to the dealer, they called subaru Technical and they advised replacing the spring....

Will post results but dont hold out much hope.

BAH

Anyone Else got any further updates on this.......?????

I just noticed the compent about the prodrive springs and the modified top mount...

I was planning on going for these at a later date, is this correct if i have the modified top mount i cant fit them....??????

BAH

Got the car back again today, Shocker/spring/topmont replaced, all quiet, knocking gone but for how long........

Will update if it returns.

Scoobsti

I am quite new to the trying to get the knocking problem solved on my 02STi UK and have only visited the dealer once so far (lots more to go I fear)

Lifting the car at the dealer so the wheels hung free, completely cured the knock for just over 100 miles (what a nice 100 miles that was) - but now it's back. The dealer is supposed to be ordering drag links as the shocks and mountings 'look ok'

What I have found out is the following - if I lift the car up slightly by the rear wheel arch (it will knock when I do this) the rear suspension appears to stick i.e. it dosen't settle back down again. If I then press lightly on the rear wing - it will settle a bit and knock - press again and it settles and knocks again etc. I am only talking about a very small movement needed to create the knock - but it's enough to feel it 'drop' when driving slowly.

I understand that this could be the shocker unit 'sticking' - but wondered if anyone else could recreate this.

I intend to demonstrate this to the dealer as soon as I can get back there.

For interest - mine knocks on both sides - but worse on OSR.

Scoobsti.

BAH

Scoobsti....Sounds like you need the modified topmounts and dampers both sides.....

marklemac

If you get your car up onto a compression ramp (no wheels hanging) you will then see the shock absorber(s) sticking when you apply load to them.

I saw this with my own eyes. My dealer only has normal ramps so hence everytime I went there for a fix it was ok for a few hours or so.

I insisted on a new shock and have had trouble free motoring now for over 3 months with no knocking noises

G00ner

Same as me then, it will get much worse, insist on a whole new shocker or at least dampers being changed on both sides.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

I have Prodrive Springs and had the Top mount Mod done. This needs to be done before they will change the Rear struts.

I started to get the Rattle!! well felt like the rear axle was loose. wheels were thrupenny bits

The Top mount Mod actually fixed for for a few miles, must be as you suggest jacking up body, some how recharge the Struts but then got worse.

The Rear struts were replaced and what a difference to the handling and no knocking

Tony

Scoobsti

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question/suggestion - but - why does lifting the body up, and letting the suspension drop fully, give a temporary cure ? Is it something inside the strut that gets reset somehow or is it that the damper rod gets lubricated so it doesn't stick as it comes through the main body of the damper/seal (for a while). Or is it the actual damper piston within the unit that sticks ?

If it's the second one, could the damper strut be lubricated (silicone, graphite ?) to provide some sort of temporary cure.

I know this is treating the sympton not the cause - but if it works, it provides more proof of the problem. Is this even possible and has anyone ever tried it ?

Scoobsti

marklemac

we are in the hands of Subaru. Considering that this only seems to be effecting UK owners it would appear that perhaps Subaru have a massive batch of duff shocks or ones that are just plain useless.

I've never heard a JDM owner complain ?

G00ner

Hi Tony

Two different sets of top mount mods are availabe iirc, one for Prodrive springs and one for standard springs.

However you look at it this whole episode is a shocking advert for Subaru/IM customer service and technical abillities.

This thread must be almost 18 months old now ?

Sell those crappy mass produced tin boxes and buy a new Legacy, proper mans car and well built too.

ScoobyTal

mt myo3stigl JDM does it too

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

I can only say they Fixed mine on the second attempt the first (Top mount) they did say had to be done first and 90% wouldn't cure it

I've found my Dealer (Listers) as good as gold Professional and pro-active unfortunately they aren't any longer Main agents for Subaru sales but still able to do Warranty work.

I do 'feel' for you the amount of time of suffering I must have been lucky, 2 months and 2 visits cured

If the rears only have a short life span make me wonder about the Fronts.

Tony

Scoobsti

I rang my dealer at the end lf last week to enquire about the drag links and to explain about the sticking suspension. He want me to bring it in so this can be looked at - but also said that my chassis number had the latest shocks on it so it shouldn't be those ??

Any idea what he meant by that - the car was reigistered April '02

Scoobsti

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

I think you meant Rear Anti-roll bar "Drop links"

What he meant was, don't unduelly worry

If on slow take off particulary when manouvering a) Clunks b) feels like the propshafts/diffs are loose C) or feels like the rear wheels are oval youve got it if not you haven't YET

Tony

Scoobsti

Well in that case - I've definitely got it ! I just think my dealer is avoiding the issue or giving me the runaround as he must know about the problem.

I'll see what the drop links do and if there is no improvement I'll press for the shocks and mounts.

Scoobsti

BAH

Dont let them fob you off, definatly sounds like you have the same problem as everyone else...

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Scoobsti,
They do have to do the "Top mount Mod" before strut replacement. Also jacking the body up tends to alleviate the problem for a short while so be wary of comitting yourself to saying it's "Fixed."

When you next see the Dealer, ask him for a list of "Other" Subaru Dealers in the Area maybe worth hinting that a new dealer may be keener for your buisness

Tony

BAH

They replaced my top mount first and it was ok for about half a day, then once its setled back in the noise started again....

In most cases the cause of the noise is the shocker.....

My dealer decided to try the top mount first then the spring and finally the shocker which solved it...

Noise free for a week now.....

CustomScoobyIOM

Good to hear that Bryan.

Still pleased with it?

BAH

Yes mate, all is good, time for a few minor mods i think.....

Just put some Prodrive flaps on, next is the splitter and the wheels i think.

Maybe a decat, depends on if it will cause any trouble with CEL.

Have to do a meet so i can see what u have been up to... My mate spotted you in Halfords the other day.. the IOM plates area bit of a giveaway.

Scoobsti

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll let the dealer do the drop links when they get them and see what happens. If (when) the knocking comes back (my wife described it as a creaking noise tonight) I will ask them to do the mounts and struts or refer the matter to Subaru UK. If all else fails - I have no problem with going to another dealer.

Anyone know any 'good' dealers around South Yorkshire / North Derbyshire ?

Cheers,
Scoobsti

RoninSTi

This is happening to American v8 STi's as well, please refer to this thread on NASIOC...

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=520870

I am installing the STi pink sport springs and hardened strut tops tomorrow, and I am goin to try the lubing solution mentioned in both threads. I will post results.

cheers