MY04 STi - Prodrive springs knocking sound?
 

I have had the springs on since May time but have recently started to notice that there is a knocking sound coming from the rear suspension. It seems as if the car drops a few mm when i pull up to a junction or stop the car, and also when reversing onto a drive!

Does anyone know of a fix for this? Even if i take it to somewhere like TSL i dont mind as i was thinking of getting the drop links changed too!

cheers,

Andy

That old GEM!

m8 if you havn't seen the posts, then its a can off worms... basiclay THEY ALL DO IT! many have been back to the dealers 3-4-5 times and they still do it... Mines had two new struts and its started again... Fekin pi$$ed off! now... changing the full suspension new to soemthing else!

Do a search you find the thread!

hope this helps (or not as the case may be) :freak3:

Dazza

i have some of the threads, even one with Mike wood saying that prodrive werent even looking into it.

I didnt know if anyone had found a fix by someone like TSL? I am planning to get some bits like the laser alignment and the droplinks done there and wondering if it was maybe worth changing the bump stops too!

Just a thought, who fitted the springs?
If they are not lined up properly, they could do what you are saying?

Steve

they were fitted by the subaru dealer in leicester. I have thought about going back, but i wanted to see if this was a common problem and if there was a known fix!

I just dont have faith in the scooby dealer tbh, and part of me thinks that i should may be go to TSL and at least i can be content that they will find and fix the problem!

It might be an idea to keep an eye on your tyre pressures - I run with mine 1psi over the official car spec and find it makes the suspension do it's work rather than the sidewalls (F1s) but I can tell if the pressure's dropped as I get a clunking sound as though something's knocking through :(

It's almost as though the car being relatively stiff, a softer tyre allows a clearance in the relevent corner suspension and thus the clunk is it taking up the "gap" - remember the old citroens that could drive with a flat tyre because the suspension lifted the wheel? I know we've a different setup but it seems a bit like that with one wheel off the deck very slightly...

my 2p anyway... ;)

If you are getting like a "My wheels are shaped like a 20 pence piece" feeling when you are reversing or slow maneuvering (which it sounds like you are) its more than likely the actual gas strut itself.

I had this problem on my car for several months....
The top mounts were changed on my car to no effect... Also every time you jack the car up it seems to cure the problem for a few days, so when you think its fixed it just comes back!
Dealer finally changed BOTH gas struts and I havent had a problem since!

Think the problem is down to the strut sticking and then suddenly freeing up and that when you feel the car ride move suddenly.

It is our understanding that the knocking noise is caused by the premature wear of the DU bush inside the rear struts.

Subaru have now 'cured' this problem by fitting longer DU bushes in the later struts.

Thanks, Nick.

Nick,

Is this exclusive to STis or does it cover other models? (only because I've got an '02 WRX :) )

Andy

Hi Nick,

What exactly is a DU bush and can it affect a MY01 WRX with Eibachs?

Thanks,

Ian

This problem only occured on STI's.

Thanks, Nick.

is there a best way to approach the dealer without getting told i dont know what i am talking about?

If someone can PM me an example dealer that has already changed them it may force the issue futher

I have called and booked the car in for next monday (13/12/4) and have stated the problems mentioned above. I have been told by the chap at the leicester garage (who fitted the prodrive springs) that a new top mount was introduced by Subaru, but they need to have a look to check it out!

As above really just wondered if anyone could share experiences so that i can have some back up ammo if they say there is nothing wrong!

I can ansa the 1st bit for you. A DU bush is a ptfe/lead lined plain split bush, self lubricating.

Hi Simo,

You wrote:

Where exactly on the damper is this bush? I don't supose you've got a picture / drawing?

Thanks,

Ian

No, sorry, cant help with the above q. Only know the info on the bushes as my company sells them along with other things :D.

I was told by my local dealer that there was a new top mount now in use by subaru, would that do anything to the suspension with reference to the above?

cheers,

andy

The bush will be the "cushion" and guide between the damper and the top mount. Possibly the original ones have taken on a compression set over time with use and therefore have allowed a small gap to occur which creates the knocking sound as the parts move...

I have dropped the car off today and already had a positive response from subaru. I recorded all of the information stated in this post and took it with me, I informed the service people and have been informed that they are ordering some new shocks and will put it right this week.

I shall hopefully have the full diagnosis when I collect the car any time soon, will post my findings then!

i am getting 2 new rear shock absorbers i have been informed.

see how it goes as printed off the above list of problems and have been told that this was the older models of cars??!?!

will have to wait and see!

"They all do that Sir" said the Subaru dealer who initially tried to tell me it was the boot latch :)

Well shot of it now.

Never had any knocking on my 03sti, but the roads around here are real bad so the suspension gets a real good work out on the lanes.

Dipster

The boot latch can cause a knocking noise from the back, it's well known. An adjustment can eliminate it totally if that's where it's coming from.

Dipster

new ones are now fitted, the ones taken off were faulty i am informed! The car does feel better but not sure if thats just my sub concious! Got next week off so shall go for a decent drive and see!

New tyres next me thinks!!

cheers,

andy

Just had my MY03 STi back from the dealer after I complained about a similar knocking noise. They said it was a loose boot catch and they have tightened it up. It seems to have resolved the problem but haven't had a chance to test it properly yet.

Peter

My 03STi goes to the dealer on the 30th for the same rear clonking noise, ie,I stop the car,then a few seconds later theres a sudden 'doink' from the rear:(

Somehow I just know they're are going to blame it on the rear strut brace thats fitted:rolleyes:

Well,wonders never cease:)

Everybodies favourite Hampshire dealer;) has agreed to replace both rear shocks at the next service foc:D

Jon

The clunking noise is back on mine, taking it back to the dealer next week and hope to get it sorted next time!

Peter

Not been on here for a while, but the dealer ended up replacing the clunking shock and top mount. A week later it started on the other side :(

Rang them and they want me to take it back for a road test before ordering the parts etc..- even though it is exactly the same problem!

Peter