Do you have ASTs?
17 March 2007, 07:51 PM
#32
You could be dead right.
Why is it always the rear NS?
The AST's I have have a 40mm piston shaft. That is much larger than the stock shaft that can flex on hard cornering.
No wear issues/leaks at all, but sometimes the odd twang over low speed high deflection speed bumps.
Why is it always the rear NS?
The AST's I have have a 40mm piston shaft. That is much larger than the stock shaft that can flex on hard cornering.
No wear issues/leaks at all, but sometimes the odd twang over low speed high deflection speed bumps.
17 March 2007, 08:49 PM
#34
I feel any mod from stock carries the 'compromise' tag, no matter what it is you change.
These occasional noises are no bother to me, or squeeky brakes that are great, or turbo lag that delivers such torque and power over 4500, or a racing seat that gets you 50mm lower in the car so the sun visors don't work, or the tweeked diffs that chatter the car across the lanes at full tilt, and the tyres that yelp and ****** as grip shunts to the front, to the rear, or diagonally across the car!
To me all so much the better. Modified is ballistic.
Stock is smooth.
Graham
Bet you agree Webmaster!?
These occasional noises are no bother to me, or squeeky brakes that are great, or turbo lag that delivers such torque and power over 4500, or a racing seat that gets you 50mm lower in the car so the sun visors don't work, or the tweeked diffs that chatter the car across the lanes at full tilt, and the tyres that yelp and ****** as grip shunts to the front, to the rear, or diagonally across the car!
To me all so much the better. Modified is ballistic.
Stock is smooth.
Graham
Bet you agree Webmaster!?
18 March 2007, 01:00 PM
#35
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Some very good advise so far, which i'll be trying out and i hope we get more feedback.
I'm enjoying every bit of the suspesion since i replaced the stock, as long as i keep avoiding the potholes. LOL
18 March 2007, 02:30 PM
#36
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I get the twang usually when the suspension is "cold". Settings @ 7 all round (still playing with the set up) but I agree any noise is a comprimise of sorts. Saying that the suspension is often more forgiving than the Prodrive springs that I had on before.
Overall very happy. Just a shame the company who put them on couldn't line the ride heights up correctly. Front nearside 5mm out and rear offside 6mm out
Overall very happy. Just a shame the company who put them on couldn't line the ride heights up correctly. Front nearside 5mm out and rear offside 6mm out
18 March 2007, 05:04 PM
#38
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TSL appear to have sorted Graham. Shame as I thought I'd gone to one of the "elite" to get them fitted in the first place but these things happen I guess. No axe to grind just a little disappointed.
In fairness good price and product.
In fairness good price and product.
18 March 2007, 06:04 PM
#39
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Interesting that these very expensive suspension components cause such a widespread - and I'd say unacceptable - problem. I accept the comments about performance components entailing compromise. I know all too well the things I've done to previous cars I've had, to make them drive better, and made all sorts of reliability/comfort compromises for it. But to my mind the compromise with AST suspension is that you are paying a bloody fortune for them instead of a measly £400 all up for a set of brand new KYB dampers and Eibach springs.
When you spend that kind of money on suspension I think you have a right to expect it to be absolutely perfect. I know I'd be gutted if mine banged, twanged or clonked. I feel upset if every now and again I get a creak from my wagon (and yes it is the nearside rear that does it occasionally).
To put it in perspective, I also think the roughly £1500 (or whatever it is) that people spend on AP brakes up front is a rip-off too, but at least I've never heard a bad word about them - in fact everyone who has them sings their praises. But these problems with AST suspension...it sounds like a load of excuses.
When you spend that kind of money on suspension I think you have a right to expect it to be absolutely perfect. I know I'd be gutted if mine banged, twanged or clonked. I feel upset if every now and again I get a creak from my wagon (and yes it is the nearside rear that does it occasionally).
To put it in perspective, I also think the roughly £1500 (or whatever it is) that people spend on AP brakes up front is a rip-off too, but at least I've never heard a bad word about them - in fact everyone who has them sings their praises. But these problems with AST suspension...it sounds like a load of excuses.
19 March 2007, 01:38 PM
#40
Graham,
In my view they are spot on.
Silent Running,
I would suggest you look in to suspension a bit more then...... you can't compare a pair of AP brakes with the intricacies of how suspension works and behaves. I've said it once and I will say it again..... these are coil over kits and not your standard OE suspension setup. Whilst I cant comment (nor would I as it's not my product) on certain bangs and twangs, for me my suspension is fine and dandy. Any other noise it makes is nothing I wouldnt expect from performance suspension package that actually does what it says on the tin.
Some other manufacturers that sell "so-called" performance coil overs have there spring rates so high that the strut doesnt even do anything.
In my view they are spot on.
Silent Running,
I would suggest you look in to suspension a bit more then...... you can't compare a pair of AP brakes with the intricacies of how suspension works and behaves. I've said it once and I will say it again..... these are coil over kits and not your standard OE suspension setup. Whilst I cant comment (nor would I as it's not my product) on certain bangs and twangs, for me my suspension is fine and dandy. Any other noise it makes is nothing I wouldnt expect from performance suspension package that actually does what it says on the tin.
Some other manufacturers that sell "so-called" performance coil overs have there spring rates so high that the strut doesnt even do anything.
Last edited by ex-webby; 19 March 2007 at 01:40 PM.
19 March 2007, 02:15 PM
#42
Inconsistant noise, varying from "should it really make that (medium) volume crash noise? Surely not?" to a "f*ck, what's broken" if you hit a ramp at speed is what's perplexing me.
Part of my reason for the original post was to learn more about what is and isn't reasonable to expect. As stated earlier, they result in a car which is a joy to drive, and so much better controlled that the standard STi I test drove before buying this car - and I really don't want to change away from them.
But I do want to know if mine are typical - and I am concluding "not" since many, including you Graham, talk about twangs (fine) and almighty bangs on ramps (common, if not very nice) but not the other crash/bump/thwack noises I get on more "normal" road surfaces.
I will check the spring rates next weekend and try the copper grease, and report back.
Thanks everyone for their continued interest in this thread
Cheers,
Tim.
19 March 2007, 02:23 PM
#43
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Odd twang - 100% agree: no problem with that.
Inconsistant noise, varying from "should it really make that (medium) volume crash noise? Surely not?" to a "f*ck, what's broken" if you hit a ramp at speed is what's perplexing me.
Part of my reason for the original post was to learn more about what is and isn't reasonable to expect. As stated earlier, they result in a car which is a joy to drive, and so much better controlled that the standard STi I test drove before buying this car - and I really don't want to change away from them.
But I do want to know if mine are typical - and I am concluding "not" since many, including you Graham, talk about twangs (fine) and almighty bangs on ramps (common, if not very nice) but not the other crash/bump/thwack noises I get on more "normal" road surfaces.
I will check the spring rates next weekend and try the copper grease, and report back.
Thanks everyone for their continued interest in this thread
Cheers,
Tim.
Inconsistant noise, varying from "should it really make that (medium) volume crash noise? Surely not?" to a "f*ck, what's broken" if you hit a ramp at speed is what's perplexing me.
Part of my reason for the original post was to learn more about what is and isn't reasonable to expect. As stated earlier, they result in a car which is a joy to drive, and so much better controlled that the standard STi I test drove before buying this car - and I really don't want to change away from them.
But I do want to know if mine are typical - and I am concluding "not" since many, including you Graham, talk about twangs (fine) and almighty bangs on ramps (common, if not very nice) but not the other crash/bump/thwack noises I get on more "normal" road surfaces.
I will check the spring rates next weekend and try the copper grease, and report back.
Thanks everyone for their continued interest in this thread
Cheers,
Tim.
19 March 2007, 04:03 PM
#44
I don't think it's AST specific.
Gents,
Now some of the noises described are likely to be AST related however, what about the fact that the specific thump/ bang from the rear nearside is common across STI's with standard setup also. I'm running a standard 2002 STI and the bugger thumps and bangs round every bend and often over potholes and speed ramps. (But mostly when cornering and with the weight off that corner ie turning left). I've had several people look at it including the Sub dealer who says there is nothing wrong with the suspension. BTW I'm the second owner, having owned it from 30K miles and I see the original owner had the rear NS wheel bearing replaced under warranty!
IMHO - Subaru know exactly what is going on here. I don't think it is AST specific and there are TOO many of us that have it for Sub not to know EXACTLY what the root cause is.
I for one am completely fed up with it - The car should not clunk and bump around corners. And it shouldn't cost me the guts of a grand to stop it. My 02 WRX didn't do this.
Has anybody reading this ever actually tried to take it up with Subaru UK? Not through a dealer? What about trying that, maybe as a group, any thoughts?
Now some of the noises described are likely to be AST related however, what about the fact that the specific thump/ bang from the rear nearside is common across STI's with standard setup also. I'm running a standard 2002 STI and the bugger thumps and bangs round every bend and often over potholes and speed ramps. (But mostly when cornering and with the weight off that corner ie turning left). I've had several people look at it including the Sub dealer who says there is nothing wrong with the suspension. BTW I'm the second owner, having owned it from 30K miles and I see the original owner had the rear NS wheel bearing replaced under warranty!
IMHO - Subaru know exactly what is going on here. I don't think it is AST specific and there are TOO many of us that have it for Sub not to know EXACTLY what the root cause is.
I for one am completely fed up with it - The car should not clunk and bump around corners. And it shouldn't cost me the guts of a grand to stop it. My 02 WRX didn't do this.
Has anybody reading this ever actually tried to take it up with Subaru UK? Not through a dealer? What about trying that, maybe as a group, any thoughts?
Last edited by Geds; 20 March 2007 at 09:01 AM.
19 March 2007, 04:10 PM
#45
Gents,
Now some of the noises described are likely to be AST related however, what about the fact that the specific thump/ bang from the rear nearside is common across STI's with standard setup also. I'm running a standard 2002 STI and the bugger thumps and bangs round every bend and often over potholes and speed ramps. (But mostly when cornering and with the weight off that corner ie turning left). I've had several people look at it including the Sub dealer who says there is nothing wrong with the suspension. BTW I'm the second owner, having owned it from 30K miles and I see the original owner had the rear NS wheel bearing replaced under warranty!
IMHO - Subaru know exactly what is going on here. I don't think it is AST specific and there are TOO many of us that have it for Sub not to know EXACTLY what the root cause is.
I for one am completely fed up with it - The car should not clunk and bump around corners. And it should cost me the guts of a grand to stop it. My 02 WRX didn't do this.
Has anybody reading this ever actually tried to take it up with Subaru UK? Not through a dealer? What about trying that, maybe as a group, any thoughts?
Now some of the noises described are likely to be AST related however, what about the fact that the specific thump/ bang from the rear nearside is common across STI's with standard setup also. I'm running a standard 2002 STI and the bugger thumps and bangs round every bend and often over potholes and speed ramps. (But mostly when cornering and with the weight off that corner ie turning left). I've had several people look at it including the Sub dealer who says there is nothing wrong with the suspension. BTW I'm the second owner, having owned it from 30K miles and I see the original owner had the rear NS wheel bearing replaced under warranty!
IMHO - Subaru know exactly what is going on here. I don't think it is AST specific and there are TOO many of us that have it for Sub not to know EXACTLY what the root cause is.
I for one am completely fed up with it - The car should not clunk and bump around corners. And it should cost me the guts of a grand to stop it. My 02 WRX didn't do this.
Has anybody reading this ever actually tried to take it up with Subaru UK? Not through a dealer? What about trying that, maybe as a group, any thoughts?
Obviously I'm interested in the outcome though, so might be worth someone pursuing this?
19 March 2007, 08:27 PM
#46
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I did not have the bang with the OE suspension. I have had my car from new with the OE suspension on for 2.5 yrs before AST.
That saying the AST suspension handles alot better than standard, no body-roll etc.... just the bang.
I guess human beings can never be satisfied. LOL
That saying the AST suspension handles alot better than standard, no body-roll etc.... just the bang.
I guess human beings can never be satisfied. LOL
19 March 2007, 09:39 PM
#48
My Sti v3 was stock when i bought it fresh off the boat from Japan.
The suspension was silent, as in silent. Slow/fast up/down whatever, no probs.
Went racing on them and great but soft.
Went to AVO coil-overs which were the pits. Enough said on that.
Went to AST with Noltec top mounts and lots of other tweeks from Whiteline and the system was as silent as stock. No lies, silent. Even the NSR!
Went to AST 3 way adjustables and AST top mounts solid ball tops and no rubbber ANYWHERE in the suspension, and all i get is a rare twang, no bangs, no heart wrenching crashes and this is 2 years racing and 6000 road miles in the Midlands....
That's it.
I think stock suspension should be trouble free, and that inc noises.
Aftermarket systems can be more troublesome (AVO) but the AST's in my experience are solid.
Graham.
The suspension was silent, as in silent. Slow/fast up/down whatever, no probs.
Went racing on them and great but soft.
Went to AVO coil-overs which were the pits. Enough said on that.
Went to AST with Noltec top mounts and lots of other tweeks from Whiteline and the system was as silent as stock. No lies, silent. Even the NSR!
Went to AST 3 way adjustables and AST top mounts solid ball tops and no rubbber ANYWHERE in the suspension, and all i get is a rare twang, no bangs, no heart wrenching crashes and this is 2 years racing and 6000 road miles in the Midlands....
That's it.
I think stock suspension should be trouble free, and that inc noises.
Aftermarket systems can be more troublesome (AVO) but the AST's in my experience are solid.
Graham.
20 March 2007, 12:50 AM
#49
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Just been to PowerStation and had AST fitted what can I say? They transformed my sti ra, I can’t believe how fast it will go round corners now and they are quite, the only problem I have with them if im being picky is being 12 way adjustable im confused at the ultimate setting lol.
20 March 2007, 01:31 PM
#52
20 March 2007, 02:04 PM
#54
Webmaster: Cheat!
I do my fine and coarse tuning on a very bumpy road, a very flat road and try to find a compromise (that word again).
Once my Chassis thread has die-down, will be focusing on chassis rather than hillclimb stories.
Graham.
I do my fine and coarse tuning on a very bumpy road, a very flat road and try to find a compromise (that word again).
Once my Chassis thread has die-down, will be focusing on chassis rather than hillclimb stories.
Graham.
20 March 2007, 05:35 PM
#56
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Last edited by ex-webby; 21 March 2007 at 10:00 PM.
20 March 2007, 07:24 PM
#57
Thankyou for the offer, and I do accept that AVO must have advanced over the last 4 years.
I will not rubbish the AVO company on here, but i did not appreciate the service I had way back then.
I am very much involved in the AST system now, and I've had 100% service from them in more than the suspension, but also the set-up and tech advice from Power Station, and will continue with them until they tell me to go away!
Further, the AST systems are very widely used in hillclimbs now and I learn a lot from fellow competitors.
I'm loyal!
But again, thankyou for that offer, and under other circumstances, i would be very happy to try them.
I am a professional mechanical engineer and have worked in new products/R&D for 25 years (I am 54 years old) so I'm used to the 'adventure' so to speak.
Graham
I will not rubbish the AVO company on here, but i did not appreciate the service I had way back then.
I am very much involved in the AST system now, and I've had 100% service from them in more than the suspension, but also the set-up and tech advice from Power Station, and will continue with them until they tell me to go away!
Further, the AST systems are very widely used in hillclimbs now and I learn a lot from fellow competitors.
I'm loyal!
But again, thankyou for that offer, and under other circumstances, i would be very happy to try them.
I am a professional mechanical engineer and have worked in new products/R&D for 25 years (I am 54 years old) so I'm used to the 'adventure' so to speak.
Graham
20 March 2007, 09:08 PM
#58
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Tim, I'm near Winchester, so I could meet up if you want to compare. Only thing is that mine is a Forester STi, so the actual units are slightly different.
PM me, I can get over to Salisbury/Andover easily.
PM me, I can get over to Salisbury/Andover easily.
24 March 2007, 08:07 PM
#59
I'll see how the rear ARB greasing goes tomorrow, and if I still have unacceptable noises, I may well take you up on your kind offer. Many thanks!
