BruceWarne

It worked for me!!!!!!

I think those bars form an integral part of the body. If they are loose (like mine were) they might allow excessive body twist...which might cause the shock to compress too much, causing the knocking sound...

The bar on the passenger's side bolts were very loose...

Thanks!

Phil Harrison

Dealer will try mine wednesday..... will post outcome.

Phil

Fitz

just to let people know that unfortunately the fix didn't work for me either.

the right hand of the 2 upright bars was marginally loose at the bottom and the top compared to the left but on tightening had exactly the same problem as before. so works for some of us, but not all.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Guys

This fix didn't work for me either. The dealer checked the bars all out, one nut was not quite tight, he also put some foam under some bar under the back seat of something, still didn't fix it, but it is not just as bad as it was.

Back to the drawing board I think


Shaun

BruceWarne

Damn. Sorry to hear. The bolts on mine were very loose...I could actually turn them with my fingers...

My problem is now 100% solved.

Hope you guys find a solution for yours soon...

Has anyone applied both solutions without curing the problem. ie fasten the bolts and replace the topmount/strut/shock ?

Phil Harrison

You anticipated the outcome of my visit to my Dealer today!!! Unusually, my seat struts were all tight, and so a spanner was applied to assure the fact, and a thorough visual inspection carried out. The rattle is still there

I've now had shock absorber, topmount and seat struts dealt with without cure, so I have written to John Evans at Subaru-UK asking politely, but in pointed terms exactly they propose to do next; and I've warned him that I shall share his reply with the other afflicted owners.

It would be helpful if those who have had all three cures attempted without success would post to that effect; and those who have been cured would also do so, saying which cure was successful

Thanks

Phil

MTR

Suspension strut changed, support struts checked/tightened at the same time, but still got intermittant knocking.

MTR

scoobyslut

It appears as though there are more than a single "knock" fault on the back of Sti's. So it may take more than just one of the forementioned "fixes/cures" to resolve all cars. I have had 2 suspension legs fitted without cure, including a suspension top mount,which cleared it temporarily,but after the seat support bolts were checked and tightened, now have the "quiet" car I would expect. So, give your dealers a break, some of them are trying their best, as they cant do much without the information/rectification backup from either IM or Japan, which seems to get even less as times goes by and the cars "improve" more rapidly

urban

iTrader: (1)

Top mount checked, suspension unchanged though. Rear bars check and some other strut like bar under back seat packed with foam as it apparantly looked like it may help the problem.

My dealer has been very good, and i'm not knocking what they have done. I am pissed off at IM & the factory in Japan for not doing more (or at least appearing to me not doing more).

Shaun

Phil Harrison

Er, hang on guys.... I'm not attacking the Dealers (mine's been as good as gold too) The guy I'm writing to is at Subaru UK!!

Phil

Phil Harrison

Aaah-ha. Polite and firm letter to Technical Director has yielded fruit in short order. Regional Technical Manager has my STi for the day on my Dealer's ramps next Friday, 13th. As always, will post outcome..... We move forward.

Phil

Chris Barn

A guy from Subaru tried my car a couple of weeks back, and told the dealer to change the strut, which they have. At the moment I would say the problem is fixed, however, I have heard the noise albeit very slightly once or twice and since the fix I have done 1300miles. I am still hanging on with my answer as to wether or not its fixed until I have done a few more miles.

Not entirely convinced..

By the way the Subaru guy told me face to face that the problem is worse with Prodrive cars and they "have different struts" or at least a different part No. I asked him what the difference was and he said "he wasn't sure, probably different damper rates".

Now, I bought my car on the understanding that it was mechanically identical to a prodrive, if it isn't I thimk this could open up a whole new can of worms...

Best of luck all,

Chris

Dark

iTrader: (1)

Had the left, rear suspension strut and top mount replaced last week. The noise has definately gone.

Next weeks blast around the IOM should show if it stays that way!

Hope those still having problems get them sorted ASAP.

Regards, Mark
WRX STI UK Prodrive

Phil Harrison

Subaru UK Regional Manager took the suspension to pieces with my Dealer today. Diagnosis: NSR Shock asorber capable of lateral movement - can be moved by hand with one end held in a vice. (This was the case in one of the early posts in one of the threads) The Shock Absorber in question was my second, so there appears to be a batch problem - explains why so many STiUKs have it, and the concentration on Feb/Mar/Apr Prodrives. Further replacement promised as soon as the part arrives at the Dealers. Watch this space.....

Phil

Jools

Phil,

Firstly, Subaru UK should thank you for doing their job for them. Good work so far.

Secondly, I just had my 10K service where I requested that the dealer look at the noise from my rear suspension. They did and reported that no fault could be found. I was given an explanation that it was something to do with the springs or supports in the rear seat and if I have rear seat passengers I would not hear the sound. Well guess what; I do, especially when my 8 & 6 yr old boys are in the back! And since when do you have to drive nearly 30K worth of motor car with rear set passengers...so you don’t hear an irritating noise; What do they think I run, a fecking taxi?

Incidentally, I picked up my Prodrive Sti on the 30th Jan and I understand it was one of, if not the very first one to be put on the road up here, so if it is a "batch issue" would this mean it is the early cars only.

Come on Subaru UK, get this crap sorted out.

Jools.
Aberdeenshire.

Phil Harrison

Happy for you to show them this thread, Jools. Theres plenty for dealers to look at, including the rear seat strut fix

Phil

MTR

Phil,
I was in my dealers today, and the technical bulletin they have recently recieved advises the dealership to tighten the 2 vertical strut supports behind the rear seat back, tighten the seat belt strengthening subframe? (its a transvers running frame bolted to the floor under the rear seat)under the rear seat cushion, and check the seat belt inertia reel block for tightness before swapping the strut.

I personally have done all these things to my own car, as well as strip my own strut and discover lateral play in the piston rod.
The strut was swapped for one with 'less' play (but still some play) and the noise has lessened.
The seat supports etc made no difference.

I must admit to feeling it must still be the strut, but currently am putting up with it. But am disappointed ewith the situation.

Cheers MTR

[Edited by MTR - 9/13/2002 9:17:52 PM]

Phil Harrison

Seat Struts have worked for some people but - like you - not for me!! The nuisance is, that replacing the Shock Absorber - though it may be right in theory - won't work if the replacement itself is defective!! Apparently, my Shock Absorber will be shipped to Japan for analysis. Pity is, they (reportedly) were provided with the last one also, now many weeks ago...

Let's see what happens next week when they replace mine again.....

The main thing is, that they were able to reproduce the rattle, and so cannot now tell us that we're all imagining it...

Phil

Chris Barn

A few more miles on the clock and mine does indeed seem to be fixed. Although there is occassionally still a 'bump' which is similar to the old noise. But I cannot reproduce it at will by hiitng pot holes etc.

Good luck guys.

Chris

MARK MORRIS

i picked my sti prodrive up a week ago , noticed the clonk from the rear left corner since having it, tightend the jack and checked every thing i could see in the area, will complain on its 1k service
mark

Phil Harrison

Welcome to the Club, Mark!

phil

urban

iTrader: (1)

Guys

I got a call from my dealer very shortly after my letter to Mr Phil Evans of Subaru UK. They asked me to bring in my car to have the shock replaced.

Well you guessed it - no difference, but at least no worse. THey are contacting Subaru UK again for me today. Guess I will have to make a few little calls myself.


Shaun

Phil Harrison

Thanks Shaun,

I think it's John Evans !! (?)

Keep us posted!!

Phil

jgd

phil, i`ve been following this thread with great interest. I`ve also had the passenger side rear strut replaced on my may 02 STI in an effort to solve the annoying rattle , but as in your case to no avail. Also I`ve checked that all the bolts on the uprights behind the rear seats are tight.I noticed that there was some play in the torsion bar under the rear seat and tried wedging this in place - the dealer who had replaced the strut had also tried to address this by shoving bits of cardboard under it!

None of the above has worked in my case. The dealer appears to be interested in solving the problem but SUBARU IRELAND ARE ADAMANT that the problem does not lie with the strut.BOTH I and the dealer think it does but it appears to be hit and miss whether or not you get a good or defective one!Have subaru uk admitted in your case that the strut is defective?

urban

iTrader: (1)

Hi jdg

Welcome to the club, failry exclusive membership according to Subaru UK!

Phil, from what i'm told there is Mr John Baker who is the Technical Manager and Phil Evans who is the Technical Director. I've just rang and they have told me that will not be back in the office until tomorrow (18th Sep).

Guess i'll just call him again tomorrow then.


Shaun

Phil Harrison

Hi JGD...welcome to the club!!
Your post is a little bit ambiguous, as you talk about both the Seat/parcel shelf strut and "the strut" (i.e the shock absorber - which is why I use that designation). Seat Strut fix has worked in a very small number of cases: Shock absorber fix likewise.... but if there's a design/manufacturing flaw in the Shock Absorber, then replacing it may or may not work as the case may be. Like MTR, my first replacement reduced the noise somewhat, but didn't cure it.

AIUI, Subaru UK have explicitly agreed with my Dealer, that there is lateral 'play' in the shock absorber: and they have agreed to a second replacement, thus implying that that's where they think the fault lies. I think you're on strong grounds to get Subaru Ireland to speak to Subaru UK.

Shaun....You are, of course, right...Technical Manager/Technical Director is where I've got muddled!!

STI MAN

Mark,

Did you get the STi from CVC? They've had mine in for a weekend and they're waiting for a definate fix before they swap struts.

johnfelstead

Guys, why dont one of you speak nicely to Leda or a similar manufacturer and ask to evaluate their struts on your STi7 on the basis that Subaru cant fix a problem with the car.

Surely that would be a good marketing oportunity for the suplier and will show for certain whether Subaru have a problem with their design on that strut.

Just a thought........

Phil Harrison

Hee Hee!! Good Idea.

Tho' there are two counter-issues

1. Subaru had my money, so they should put it right.....
2. I, for one, am not into the whole process of Mods etc. (I appreciate this isn't quite what you're advocating).

Where do these Specialists hang out?? We might have an afflicted owner who is both near them and willing....?

Cheers,

Phil

urban

iTrader: (1)

Yeah

Good idea, pity there are none in Northern Ireland (At least not that I know of), or I myself would go.

I'm going to call my dealer today, and ask them to put my strut in the vice and see if there is any movement of the piston.

Shaun