STi UK shocks - new thread
19 September 2002, 04:38 PM
#123
Ah Ha,
Received very nice & polite call from Mr Evans in Subaru. New batch of shocks in, they have sent another replacement to my dealer which will definately cure the fault, if the fault is the actual shock.
If the fault still exists after replacement, then they are going to take my car for closer investigation.
Shaun
Received very nice & polite call from Mr Evans in Subaru. New batch of shocks in, they have sent another replacement to my dealer which will definately cure the fault, if the fault is the actual shock.
If the fault still exists after replacement, then they are going to take my car for closer investigation.
Shaun
24 September 2002, 06:01 PM
#124
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(2nd) new strut fitted today. Dealer reckoned it had as much play as the one it replaced, and it took only a couple of minutes to confirm his expectation that the problem hadn't been solved 
Not a happy chappy!
I'm away for a fortnight, so I've faxed S-UK saying - "you can have my car for a fortnight's detailed investigation." Interesting to see if they take me up.
I also said... "BTW, if you've signed off PPP, you can fit that at the same time! ;>? Even more interesting to see if they take THAT up.
Keep pitching in my absence.....
Cheers
Phil
Not a happy chappy!
I'm away for a fortnight, so I've faxed S-UK saying - "you can have my car for a fortnight's detailed investigation." Interesting to see if they take me up.
I also said... "BTW, if you've signed off PPP, you can fit that at the same time! ;>? Even more interesting to see if they take THAT up.
Keep pitching in my absence.....
Cheers
Phil
25 September 2002, 10:04 PM
#129
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Off to Canada for a fortnight - 0415 hrs Friday and Shaun's away too. My car can't go in 'til 18th October, so we'd appreciate it if you'd post the outcome, Andrew, and keep the pressure on. Seems to be worth getting the Dealer to check the strut for free play BEFORE fitting it: my experience shows it's no use fitting another dodgy one!
Regards
Phil
hrs Friday and Shaun's away too. My car can't go in 'til 18th October, so we'd appreciate it if you'd post the outcome, Andrew, and keep the pressure on. Seems to be worth getting the Dealer to check the strut for free play BEFORE fitting it: my experience shows it's no use fitting another dodgy one!Regards
Phil
26 September 2002, 07:46 AM
#130
Can't wait to hear the outcome of your trip to the dealer Andrew.
Yep, i'm heading off in the early hours of Saturday for two weeks, so my car won't be going in until week commencing 14/10.
Phil - Enjoy two weeks free of Subaru UK hassle.
Good Luck
Shaun
Yep, i'm heading off in the early hours of Saturday for two weeks, so my car won't be going in until week commencing 14/10.
Phil - Enjoy two weeks free of Subaru UK hassle.
Good Luck
Shaun
26 September 2002, 04:10 PM
#131
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Just spoken to dealer, Subaru UK said it's definitely suspension strut and that they've replaced them on other cars and it's not resolved the problem and are waiting to hear something from japan. Should be something happening 'in the next couple of weeks' 
We shall see...
We shall see...
26 September 2002, 06:31 PM
#132
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It was first referred to Japan YONKS ago! Grrrrrrrr [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img][img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] What'll be different this time...??? As the time has passed since they fitted another strut with lateral play in it (see above) with predictable lack of result (it's actually much WORSE ) I've switched from Nice Guy to Mr Angry. I don't see or hear them asking the obvious questions - like a) why only Near Side? and b) why do some have the problem and some not??
That's why I offered them my car for a fortnight - they could have taken it away, fitted a strut from one of their cars which is known to be OK; seen if it was successful and compared the two struts if so, or looked more deeply into the car if not. I don't get the feeling of a)urgency and b) technical mastery.
I've now marked the Technical Director's card: I want it RIGHT on 18th October - nothing else will do!
Regards
Phil
Edited for Smilies (well, Angries, actually)
[Edited by Phil Harrison - 9/26/2002 6:32:58 PM]
) I've switched from Nice Guy to Mr Angry. I don't see or hear them asking the obvious questions - like a) why only Near Side? and b) why do some have the problem and some not??That's why I offered them my car for a fortnight - they could have taken it away, fitted a strut from one of their cars which is known to be OK; seen if it was successful and compared the two struts if so, or looked more deeply into the car if not. I don't get the feeling of a)urgency and b) technical mastery.
I've now marked the Technical Director's card: I want it RIGHT on 18th October - nothing else will do!
Regards
Phil
Edited for Smilies (well, Angries, actually)
[Edited by Phil Harrison - 9/26/2002 6:32:58 PM]
26 September 2002, 08:01 PM
#133
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Just a thought guys, has anyone actually mentioned to IM that they should have a read of this thread? You never know, they may actually take reading the thread as the kick up the ar$e it sounds like they need....
Unlikely I know but just a thought....
Matt
(IM's life would be so easy if it wasn't for us pesky customers hey?
Unlikely I know but just a thought....
Matt
(IM's life would be so easy if it wasn't for us pesky customers hey?
26 September 2002, 10:35 PM
#134
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On balance, Matt, I suspect they do read Scoobynet: and I'm sure they know that I and others are actively posting on this topic, even if they haven't read the thread. They've been suddenly pretty assiduous on their communications with me and Shaun to mention but two. However, that's not the same as getting an answer from Japan (why do they have to go there for Chrissakes they've presumably got a facility and resources suitable to mess around with struts?) or, indeed from anywhere else. I can only speculate as to the reasons for what gives every impression of being a tardy and, above all, complacent response to a substantial number of owners of their flagship Impreza.
Signing off until 11 October.....
Regards
Phil
Signing off until 11 October.....
Regards
Phil
27 September 2002, 08:18 AM
#135
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Phil,
Apart from the dealerships themselves, I doubt it very much!!!
I think there are two reasons for this:
a) IMHO, that is what IM are like (based on many friends dealings with IM in the past)
b) The 1st year warranty is paid for by Subaru Japan so I suspect that IM don't really see it as their problem. I think that they will spend the least amount of time and money that they think they can get away with, dealing with this problem.
Have a good one
Matt
why do they have to go there for Chrissakes they've presumably got a facility and resources suitable to mess around with struts?
I can only speculate as to the reasons for what gives every impression of being a tardy and, above all, complacent response to a substantial number of owners of their flagship Impreza.
a) IMHO, that is what IM are like (based on many friends dealings with IM in the past)
b) The 1st year warranty is paid for by Subaru Japan so I suspect that IM don't really see it as their problem. I think that they will spend the least amount of time and money that they think they can get away with, dealing with this problem.
Signing off until 11 October.....
Matt
30 September 2002, 08:57 PM
#136
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had my sti in for its 1k service today, complained about rear strut, they told me its a known prob and they are waiting for a new batch, no point replacing with whats available now as they are the same or worse, they will get in touch when it comes in
mark
mark
03 October 2002, 01:23 PM
#137
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Had rear suspension strut changed for second time yesterday, but still no luck , the rattle is still there .Does anybody know for sure that there will be a new batch of struts available and if so when?According to my dealer the struts used in Ireland come through the uk.At this stage I have told the dealer that I`m going to put up with the problem for acouple of months and wait to see if there is a solution out there as i am sick of wasting my time bringing the car back to him. CAN ANYBODY HELP PLEASE?!
06 October 2002, 10:22 PM
#138
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Razor 2001,
No I haven't got a digital camera, so am unable to post any pictures.
But if you look on the underside of the parcel shelf from within the boot, you should be able to fathom out which are the 4 clips I am talking about.
They are cylindrical in shape and form into a point, like a spigot. and are about 3/8" diameter or 10mm ish.
Deep Singh,
Just to ease your mind, I removed and stripped my rear nearside strut tonight, and discovered some lateral play in the piston. When fully extended it quite clearly could be made to rock by about 0.040" (1mm) at the very top of the piston rod when fully extended, and consequently knock.
Not by any great amount, and I wouldn't wish to frighten anybody into rushing out to replace all their suspension on the strength of it.
It is very unlikely that it would ever fail, and it is obviously neccessary to have sufficient clearance between the piston rod and the internal guide bushing within the strut to allow free movement.
Too much play and they knock, but still damp the springs oscillations, too little play and they could limit movement and or seize, rendering them useless as dampers.
It may however require replacement, and I will discuss with my dealer tomorrow.
There must be a design tolerance for the amount of free play deemed permissable, although I suspect it is probably very tight,
and the cars exhibiting the slight knocking may well have struts that fall outside the expected range.
According to the senior mechanic the P1's are also prone to the same strut to piston play as discovered on the STi 7's, and they also use the'red' STi type struts obviously as they used STi 5 struts with fresh springs on them.
I feel quite happy now I believe I have sussed out what is causing MY rattle/knock. It is irksome but by no means end of the world mustn't drive my car, is it going to fall to pieces type of problem.
In my case the amount of play is FAR LESS than the movement allowed by the rubber suspension bushing, and as such wwill not create a massive variation in suspension geometry.
When you carry out a 4 wheel alignment with laser tracking equipment, and set to decimals of degrees, you can temporarily alter the settings by simple hand pressure on the wheels after everything is tightened up, I know because I have done it.
These are road cars not steel rose jointed F1 cars where 0.5mm or 0.020" difference in ride height wrecks the cars handling.
I am confident it IS DEFINATELY NOT THE TOP MOUNT. The dealers that are saying that are best guessing.
The rear top mount is so basic (steel and rubber, with no bearings or moving parts, as I guessed it might be) it is pretty unlikely one would fail on a road car.
Cheers MTR
[Edited by MTR - 6/27/2002 12:43:29 PM]
No I haven't got a digital camera, so am unable to post any pictures.
But if you look on the underside of the parcel shelf from within the boot, you should be able to fathom out which are the 4 clips I am talking about.
They are cylindrical in shape and form into a point, like a spigot. and are about 3/8" diameter or 10mm ish.
Deep Singh,
Just to ease your mind, I removed and stripped my rear nearside strut tonight, and discovered some lateral play in the piston. When fully extended it quite clearly could be made to rock by about 0.040" (1mm) at the very top of the piston rod when fully extended, and consequently knock.
Not by any great amount, and I wouldn't wish to frighten anybody into rushing out to replace all their suspension on the strength of it.
It is very unlikely that it would ever fail, and it is obviously neccessary to have sufficient clearance between the piston rod and the internal guide bushing within the strut to allow free movement.
Too much play and they knock, but still damp the springs oscillations, too little play and they could limit movement and or seize, rendering them useless as dampers.
It may however require replacement, and I will discuss with my dealer tomorrow.
There must be a design tolerance for the amount of free play deemed permissable, although I suspect it is probably very tight,
and the cars exhibiting the slight knocking may well have struts that fall outside the expected range.
According to the senior mechanic the P1's are also prone to the same strut to piston play as discovered on the STi 7's, and they also use the'red' STi type struts obviously as they used STi 5 struts with fresh springs on them.
I feel quite happy now I believe I have sussed out what is causing MY rattle/knock. It is irksome but by no means end of the world mustn't drive my car, is it going to fall to pieces type of problem.
In my case the amount of play is FAR LESS than the movement allowed by the rubber suspension bushing, and as such wwill not create a massive variation in suspension geometry.
When you carry out a 4 wheel alignment with laser tracking equipment, and set to decimals of degrees, you can temporarily alter the settings by simple hand pressure on the wheels after everything is tightened up, I know because I have done it.
These are road cars not steel rose jointed F1 cars where 0.5mm or 0.020" difference in ride height wrecks the cars handling.
I am confident it IS DEFINATELY NOT THE TOP MOUNT. The dealers that are saying that are best guessing.
The rear top mount is so basic (steel and rubber, with no bearings or moving parts, as I guessed it might be) it is pretty unlikely one would fail on a road car.
Cheers MTR
[Edited by MTR - 6/27/2002 12:43:29 PM]
09 October 2002, 11:53 AM
#139
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can i join the sti suspension club with my 11month old wrx?...i too have the same problem,clunk rns whenever i go over sunken manhole/drain covers etc.Tileys now confirmed rns blown after 6,5000 miles.From reading other messages it would appear there is a design fault,as dampers are produced individually,fitted in pairs but the common fault always appears to be rns,so there must be a problem causing the dampers etc to fail at an alarmingly high rate............
13 October 2002, 11:19 AM
#140
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I have the same problem as you guys. Took the car in to be tested yesturday, they tightened some bolts but it still makes the same noise. Just have to wait 2-3 weeks for the parts to come in.
13 October 2002, 03:41 PM
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6 Months and counting, here.......[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img][img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img][img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
!
Due in for 4th new strut Friday, will report back!
Phil
!
Due in for 4th new strut Friday, will report back!
Phil
17 October 2002, 01:47 PM
#143
Guys,
I'm going in on Friday morning to have the new shock replaced - yes the one which will cure the knocking noise if the knocking noise is shock related!
Subaru UK's words not mine.
All being well I shall report back on here by lunchtime,l but have to say i'm not getting my hopes built up this time!
Shaun
I'm going in on Friday morning to have the new shock replaced - yes the one which will cure the knocking noise if the knocking noise is shock related!
Subaru UK's words not mine.
All being well I shall report back on here by lunchtime,l but have to say i'm not getting my hopes built up this time!
Shaun
19 October 2002, 11:17 PM
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Not aware of one. I write to Phil Evans, Technical Director at the West Bromwich Address: and the Customer Liaison Chap is John Sherwood.021-557-2112 is the Subaru-UK switchboard, and 021-522-6099 the FAX.
The more the merrier
Phil
The more the merrier
Phil
21 October 2002, 04:56 PM
#146
Guys
As you may have read above, I had the all singing all dancing new shock fitted on Friday the 18th.
And yes, it does appear to cure the knocking noise, downside is that I have now two new noises to content with. First is a whining type noise which sound like its from the left rear, and a very violent rattling noise from under the back seat.
They have the car at the moment trying to see what the whining noise is, and I guess I will be picking the car up tonight with the old shock fitted.
On friday, I was driving with the car without rear seats and two mechanics in the back trying to find the noise.
They can tell where its coming from, but cannot see the problem, because under the area where the noise is coming from is the fuel tank!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargggggggggggggg gggggggggggg!
As you may have read above, I had the all singing all dancing new shock fitted on Friday the 18th.
And yes, it does appear to cure the knocking noise, downside is that I have now two new noises to content with. First is a whining type noise which sound like its from the left rear, and a very violent rattling noise from under the back seat.
They have the car at the moment trying to see what the whining noise is, and I guess I will be picking the car up tonight with the old shock fitted.
On friday, I was driving with the car without rear seats and two mechanics in the back trying to find the noise.
They can tell where its coming from, but cannot see the problem, because under the area where the noise is coming from is the fuel tank!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargggggggggggggg gggggggggggg!
21 October 2002, 05:59 PM
#147
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Ouch!!! Worried!! Dealer had an engine on the floor last friday and asked if I'd delay a couple of days, which - being a friendly fellow - I did
So, it goes in tomorrow - complete with a copy of your Post!
Phil
22 October 2002, 02:44 AM
#148
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For the ratlling sound - take a look at the plates holding the front of the rear crosmember mounting busings - if they get bent they can make a nasty rattle as you go over bumps and they contact the outer part of the bushing - - this can happen when the car is lifted on those plates
22 October 2002, 04:48 PM
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Dealer fitted a replacement shock absorber and coil spring assembly today, with (provisionally) 99% success!! (Thought I heard a couple of light clonks while driving -slowly- along the Farm drive..... but could be my paranoia
) Bottom Line, however, is, that no way could I remotely take the car back with negative report.No sure if the assembly was "as per OEM, but with selected pretested components", or whether there had been some more tecnical intervention altering the spec. If it's the latter, S-UK should now know what to do, as I've fed back my favourable report.
Over to the still-afflicted.... suggest you give S-UK a couple of days to digest the outcome, tho'
Cheers
(Much relieved) Phil
22 October 2002, 05:20 PM
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Bleargh, just spoke to my dealer who spoke to Paul Todd who said there's no fix for my car and they're waiting for something from japan, they have mine and another with the problem, so I guess mines not exactly the same suspension problem.
ARGH! Time to see a lawyer towards rejecting the car.
ARGH! Time to see a lawyer towards rejecting the car.