Hi all

I have a JDM hatch and I'm experiencing quite a lot of noise from the front when maneuvering at low speeds. I've had all fluids changed since purchasing (normally do) but still a clunking noise at low speeds. Yesterday it became a repetitive clunk when turning left so I'm getting the CV checked this week but wondered how noisy these cars are normally? I understand they have a helical LSD up front so will make some noises when reversing for example but is it normal to experience clunks/pops at low speeds?

Cheers

 

Should only get noises like that if the centre diff is locked in my experiance.

 

As above , sounding like centre diff , no significant noise when cold , when it warms up then clunking and binding when turning when you are going forward , and when reversing and turning , Normally no issues in a straight line , if it is the same issues , then centre diff , import car parts or amayama , and end tail of gearbox off , the repair can be done with the box in situ

 

Thanks both. Sounds worryingly like what you've described. It's in for some other work this week/early next so will get the specialist to give it a once over. Looks like RCM have a rebuild kit if it's the centre diff - bit more palatable than the £4.7k a new DCCD unit costs!

 

do you have the diff in the 'locked' position or Auto??

 

Auto normally. Fully open or a couple of clicks on the handbrake to open the diff if reversing sometimes. I know not to drive it in "LOCK" 👍

 

If it is the centre diff is around 600 £ for the part plus labour , it's not too bad a job to do

 

Cheers mate. I've seen the kit at RCM for £900 - where can you get it for £600?

 

The Forester sti has a non dccd centre diff , so I'm assuming but maybe wrong ? but a similar part ? , the last jdm one I had was from Amayama and landed it was around 500£ , do you know the part number for your centre diff ?

 

No,not got that far yet. Just pulled the info from RCM here: https://rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk/p...-kit-2006-2013
Is there a website I can search for the part number on? That said, I'll probably wait now until it's been officially diagnosed as knowing my luck, I'll spend ages looking in to this for it to end up being the CV joint after all!

 

I just looked , so a new unit is around 3k£ plus import duty .... gulp .. ouch ... amayama or partsouq and mega zip is who I use , so if it's centre diff then a re build is sounding the way forward , the non dccd centre diffs do have a life span , I have had two go recently , one on an 07 and then a 55 plate fsti , but as you questioned it's a lot cheaper than the electronic one ,

 

Bought mine from a dealer only a month or two ago so they'll be picking up the bill - don't really want to go down the route of a new one though as that's a big bill for anyone to swallow! Let's see what the specialist says. Just got to get booked in now (easier said than done &#128528

 

Centre Diff is the same part number as for a UK hatch/saloon




If you didn't catch it on RCM the Rebuild kit is 390004S020

 

Thanks Don, that's really helpful!

 

Just a wee update: I'm told the noise is from knocking shocks. I hadn't appreciated I had inverted shocks on the front - I'd thought they were an issue on the rears of the blob/hawk. The car has the suspension from an S206 on it and the fronts seem to have gone. I'm struggling to find anyone who can pull them apart and repack them and I'm toying with the idea of changing the suspension all together. Replacement shocks (S206) all round are £2.2k and the problem will just happen again at some point (albeit years down the line)

Has anyone run Bilstein B16s on their car? They look a good alternative. There are also some Ohlins Road and Track coilovers that will fit and are suspension **** but doubt I can justify the price tag.......man maths may prevail though!

 

I've got Ohlins on my hatch. They're good, but they do change the cars character. A set of sti Bilsteins or spec C shocks are a similar price to Ohlins, around 2k.

 

Do they change the character in a bad way? I'm really enjoying the car and the main characteristics I enjoy is the handling.
I've found B16s for £1.8k and the Ohlins I'm looking at are £3k. Will need to mull it over. Keen to get insight in to use of these options or similar

 

I had a set of blitz zzr ones on mine , the best handling I had , they had racked up some miles but one started knocking and sent it off for repair it actually came back worse ?☹️ , all taken off the car in the end , there were some used ones on line just jap 750 £ plus import , brand new they are quite a bit , I tend to use Tein or BC as not willing to pay big money , they work well but I know not as good others , bilstien do the gtr r35 shocks and springs which are a popular choice

 

Ohlins in a good way, but in a more European manner, as they're smoother.
Meister R gt1's are comparable with Ohlins. Their crd is a good budget alternative

 

Smooth is good as it's my daily driver. Can you post a link to the Ohlins you have please?

Meister look good. I had some YSR on my Hawkeye which from memory were pretty good.

Will have a look at Tein as aware they're a popular choice and will have a Google of the R35 Bilsteins, thanks fellas. I'm going to have to find someone to do a geo setup once it's on as well. If anyone knows of someone in Edinburgh or surrounding areas, any suggestions are welcome!

 

Now I have had the chance to drive it more , and a bit more diagnosis , it seems to be happening from reverse to first gear , not done it all for the last few days , the odd thing when I shift down 6 th 5 th etc till I get to first gear , it goes in to gear no issues no grinding , I will do a fluid change and check and change the clutch fluid , but it's looking like a bit of a quirk rather than any thing of concern , I heard the rumour I assume it's correct that these boxes 5 and 6 speed can have their strange issues sometimes ? 👍

 

Well what I thought might happen did and I ended up forking out for the Ohlins R+T and I am not disappointed - absolutely phenomenal. I don't know whether driving an EP3 for 6 months before getting the hatch has set me up well for this but the Ohlins feel civilised (aren't crashy or harsh) are smooth and my god are they good in the corners. If anyone is interested, I have a set of Bilstein Struts with pink springs being the suspension off an S206 STI for sale - fronts slightly knocking. No idea what price to ask as brand new struts without the springs are £2.2k. Or if anyone knows someone who can refurb them, I might get that done before selling.

 

What height and and stiffness settings did you use? Mine are on the middle recommended settings and i find them jittery at low speed.

 

Recommended settings - from memory its lowered by 20mm and running 9 front and 7 rear. What do you mean by jittery?