RikTee

iTrader: (12)

Just wondering what you guys think.

I have had my 53 plate STI since March this year, and have covered 10k in it since then. Total mileage on the car is 40k.

Been having problems engaging reverse so took it to my local dealer who said they think its the clutch as the biting point is high.

Now they have said that it is unlikely that this will be covered by the warranty (Subaru proven), although they will try their best.

If this isn't successful, they said there would need to be spotting on the flywheel for any chance of success, I will be left with a bill for £1k for a new clutch and flywheel.

Feeling a bit peeved as not had the car long and not been abusing it, just wondering what you guys think, do i just swallow it as one of those thing ?

CHeers
Rich

moffett

i think you should be covered, I know its a wear and tear item but you have only had it 10k. £1k for a clutch change is a joke aswell, take it to a private garage if they will not fix it for free

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

It's not the fact that you've only done 10k - it's that it's done 40k!
Depending how hard the previous owner used it, 40k is not that unusual!
If you get no joy from the warrenty, go to a Subaru specialist. You should get a 3-piece clutch kit and flywheel skim all fitted for under £600
For example - Xtreme Scoobies - Tel: 01245 363623
JohnD

onslow

not being able to select reverse isnt unusual mines been a bit of a b*stard to get into reverse ever since ive had it and that was 3yrs and 30k ago

the biting point of my clutch is very high but cant say its got any harder to get reverse tho
mind you i do the old into second then into reverse trick always seems to work

RikTee

iTrader: (12)

Thanks guys, yeah its the 40k thing that kills it for me, it's just annoying that it;s the previous owners abuse that I have to pay for

The reverse thing is strange, only happens now and again, and just declutch and try again and it goes, not a major thing just annoying.

It's £1k because Subaru insist on replacing the flywheel as well

Rich

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

i had the same prob with my 03 wrx while at tsl told them about it thought my clutch was going they said it happens a lot and told me to put some hi performance anti shock gear oil in it as it prob hadn't been changed since new and it worked great, not saying this will defo work but just thought i'd let you know

explore

minewent at 25K on a 2003 wrx, but i did tend to launch it abit, not again lol cost a clutch and fly done all in for £670 ish which i didnt think was bad but still hit the wallet hard lol

totalllama

I hear that reverse gear in the Scoobs is a straight cut gear with no syncro. My father and I both have Bugeye scoobs with 71 and 79k miles on them with original clutches. We both find reverse gear bad so simply nudge forward a little to engage it.

Does your clutch slip? How high is it before it engages fully? I personally think that it doesnt need changed.

[Davey]

Grand for a clutch... BWAHAHHAAH, what drugs are they on???? thats obscene!

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

The 6-speed box has synchro on reverse.
Mine goes into reverse pretty well every time even if I'm moving forward slightly! It's a mechanical device and there will always be slight variances.
JohnD

totalllama

I should have picked up that it was a STI so had the 6sp really - blame the beer

scotthldr

What warranty do you have, as the standard Subaru warranty is 3 years or 60000miles which ever is sooner, and your car is a 03 plate so doesn't have a warranty that would cover a clutch. Mine went earlier this year on a 05 WRX thankfully Subaru covered it.

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

a lot of gearboxes have issues getting reverse. If you cannot get reverse try the following with the engine running:

1) neutral, clutch up
2) fifth, clutch down
3) neutral, clutch up
4) reverse

If that does not work, then just nudge it forwards. I have lived with this issue on my Vauxhalls, peugeots and now my scoobie.

RikTee

iTrader: (12)

Thanks for the replys guys.

Its not slipping, and probably bites about a coupe of inches from the top. I can live with the reverse problem as it;s usually just a case of declutching and engaging again.

Interesting point about the g/box oil, as it's just had a 40k service and I thought it was changed then

It's just a bit of a gamble on whether I put it in and see if the dealer can get it through on warranty - it doesn;t really need replacing ,but if i can get a new one for nothing then it's worth doing.

I believe the dealer when he will say he will try his best to get Subaru to pay for it. When I first got the car i took into my them due to a knock from the rear - turned out to be a bearing that they slightly tightened and the knock went away, he then told subaru the bearing had shattered and got it replaced under warranty, along with a noisy idler pully that I hadn't even mentioned

May just ride it out for a bit as the warranty runs until Feb next year.

Cheers
Rich

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Transmission fluids are part of the 30k or 3yrs service. It should already be on it's second lot.
JohnD

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Don't ride the clutch, though!
JohnD

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

My one owner bugeye STi cltuch lasted 15k miles (BTW 6 speed is tottaly different to a 5 speed WRX) Newage 5 speed WRX is same as Classic STi IIRC

Dealer Clutch kit and Flywheel was £1100 + fitting + VAT so close to £1500

This part is a consumable so unless faulty not covered by Warranty

IMHO don't go to dealer if not covered on clutch go to specialist Garage

approx One garage was doing for an Idea of cost

£250 for exedy organic clutch kits
£500 uprated organic AP clutch kits
£250 for fitting and skimmed Flywheel.
£550 for fitting and lightened Flywheel.

Tony

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

I own an MY03 WRX with 25k on the clock and get the same problem when engaging reverse, sometimes goes in OK, some times you have to declutch and try again to get it in, took to dealers while still under warranty and was told it's just a characteristic of the gearbox.

If you do a search on here there are loads of people that have the same problem.