Hi - 4 weeks of RB320 ownership and going great but took car out this afternoon and there is an annoying and possibly worrying knock coming from the rear left wheel. Checked all the obvious things (jack/tools rattling about) and not them. When applying pressure to rear of car the knock is quite evident on each push. I think I know the answer but any thoughts much appreciated?

One other thing if it is suspension if I have only had it for four weeks are these sort of things covered by warranty in any way?

 

Yep, it'll be the suspension. Very common.
Dont think warranty will cover that but you can try.

 

Depends what warranty you got mate, some are not worth the paper they are written on.
They may look at it as wear and tear and not cover it but I would take it back and get the garage to have a look for you.
The garage themselves may fix the problem for you if it isn't covered under your warranty as a goodwill gesture?

 

Thought as much - thanks (I think!)

I bought from a Subaru main dealer (KT Green) who have been fabulous - the boot has a leak too so was going to go back in anyway - I'll call them tomorrow and discuss it.

As I use the car as my daily commute - I only pootle to and from work - will that do any further damage?

 

it wont do any damage, the knocking shocks are very common on imprezas, the dealer should sort it out as its a known fault anyway.

at the worst its an excuse for coilovers.

 

Thanks Tommy. I'm a major dork when it comes to mechanicals - coilovers?

 

New shocks and springs

 

Have a look on the rear strut and see if it has a sticker above the Prodrive sticker saying "3rd bearing re-work". If it hasn't then yours must be one of the few that didn't start to knock early on and get covered under warranty. The offending shocks were replaced with 3rd bearing re-worked shocks to solve the problem. I believe Chevron motorsport re-work them for little money.
Don't worry as its not dangerous, just annoying. If your car is under warranty make sure they replace them as a pair and with RB320 Blistin shocks, not normal STi shocks.

 

It has that sticker so if it has gone its the third strut in 42k miles! That Subaru design decision to use meringue cases for the struts was a bad call...

 

Subaru warranty does cover suspension
Get them swapped pal

 

If it's from a main dealer and cost you more than a grand (and I suspect it just might have...), it has six months warranty under the Sale of Goods Act, so yes, whatever it is will be covered.

If the dealer tries to wriggle, ask here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/

 

Have a word with Chevron mate. I know they have re-worked several shocks for members of RB320 owners club Don't quote me on this but i think i remember £50 per shock to sort them. A lot cheaper than a set of coil-overs. I can understand STi owners wanting rid of the horrible shocks fitted as standard but the Blisteins with ebach springs on the RB is a great set up. I think some of the problem is the grease that was used in the shocks. Talk to Chevron mate, there the experts. They also do a great Geo set up that stops our car wearing out the inside edges of the front tyres.

 

Thanks Chopperman - how do I find Chevron?

 

https://www.facebook.com/ChevronMoto...ref=ts&fref=ts