I have finally found and stopped the rattle from the offside rear. The problem is I am not 100% sure what it was, but it must have been one of the following:
1/ Rear seat back loose. Unable to locate bolts so stuffed sponge underneath parcel shelf and behind rear seat (not loose now )
2/ Rear passenger grab handle - this creaked everytime it was pressed. I simply slid the plastic screw sleeve back a bit and cured that
3/ Rear seatbelt mount. Tricky this one: had to remove side panel (quite easy just pop the clips off). I then noticed that a metal arm that secures the belt roller was loose. Unable to reach bolts easily so I wedged a chunk of rubber between the roller housing and the bare side panel. Stopped that one

So, if you have an annoying rattle from the rear try any of the above

Yorkie

 

Yup .. I have an 03 WRX and can confirm no.2 .. Took me weeks to figure that one out ! Just give it a good yank !

Steve

 

Also a common one is, The doors are frameless and if a window is partly down, the door will move more in the door frame. knocking/rattling on the doors locating pin.

Tony

 

Oh, and dont forget a partially seized damper like mine

 

Wouldn't that cause a knocking/clunking rather than a rattle?

There is a difference to trained ears, especially when you own a Subaru

 

lol

It does sometimes sound like a rattle, honest

 

If you want to avoid rattles, creaks and knocks then sell the 99% plastic jap crap and buy something german.

Mine is seven months old now (it's my sixth Impreza), it rattles creaks and groans like a bitch but I still love her to death and she makes me smile (most of the time)

 

I have a copy of the Subaru Service Technical Bulletin which states to the dealers:

1. Ensure boot lid hinges and torsion bars are correclty fastended.

2. remove the rear seat lower and upper squabs. after removal check the four bolts situated in the vertical bars around the ski hatch to ensure they are secured correctly.

3. confirm that the torsion bar mounted under the lower seat squab is tight and not fouling the body when flexing.

4. ensure seat belt mountings are tightened correctly.


Unfortunately, none of these cured my problem, nor did the improved top mounts.

Only replacing the rear strut fixed my knocking problems.

 

rear n/s strut replaced on my 03 sti as well

 

I'm with you on that one

Another way to cure rattles, get a full decat and remap. Job done, you also won't need a stereo as the sound is better than any track I have listened to

 

My brother bought a Golf GTI new the other year and it rattles like a can of nails. Aircon just failed, German quality anyone

 

Booked it to replace o/s rear strut, but they won't replace the last remaining original strut even though its obvious their is a generalproblem.

Oh well, just have to wait for that one to fail.

 

In that case look to replace the o/s strut as well soon...mines being done next week - the n/s was done a few months ago and everything was tickity boo ......... for a while

 

Old link I know, but

My final damper has now started to seize up.

Noticed the handling going to pot again and a few days later started to feel the clunk when pulling away. Push down on the rear and it stays where it is.

Its a 53 plate STi Type Uk, after this it will have had all 4 struts replaced.

 

Had my rear struts replaced approx 10 months ago. Going back again for them to be changed again.

Will this ever stop?