charlieogden

After a morning cleaning, polishing and fettling my car myself and my dad when out on a bit of a chase about on some nice open country roads. Not having had the car that long it was a nice chance to get a idea of what it can do, a lot as the case maybe! we had to stop at the pub for a low fat coke and we where both shaking with adrenalin when we got out!!(Thank you TSL333!)
So after this little shake down everything was running smoothly until.....

We picked up two more passengers mum and g/f not (big ppl!). Went over a speed bump (at 20mph not a big bump either)and it made like a popping clunking noise and has done (clunking) ever since its a drivers side rear that is doing it. I have checked all bushings around that area and all are ok. Next i took the seats out and looked and the top of the shock so exposing the nut.

Now...when my dad jumped on the sill and i was holding the bolt you could feel the clonk through the bolt and hear the noise to. The shock still seems stiff, all nuts tight and the car is not bouncing any more than it did its just making a clocking noise so what could it be and how hard is it to get the suspension off the car to have a look at it and will it be an obvious broken/loose bit
Its a version 9 STI UK Model.

I have done some searches on here but they seem slightly different to my circumstances.
So any help/information would be superb

Charlie

matt6666

Is it still under warranty? Sounds like the infamous rear shock problem, I've had both mine replaced under warranty

charlieogden

No no warranty.

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

yeah,sounds like the top mount has worn,not the strut itself just the top mount,you can buy them seperate but not sure if u are on standard shocks but would guess you are so look out for a top mount on the bay etc

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked the engine bay?


You might have one of these hiding there, hence the cluking noise.

charlieogden

humm.........yeah its standard suspension what sort of job is it to get to the top mount?

charlieogden

Nope only pony's in there?!?

charlieogden

Any pics of what a top mount looks like is it just that round disk with a bit of rubber on it?

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

This is a strut top mount,not saying this particular one is the one you want,just for picture reference

Subaru Impreza Rear Fixed Alloy Top Mounts Pair on eBay, also, Subaru, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 08-May-09 16:52:23 BST)

basically its the part that has the 3 bolts in a triangle formation and the centre nut through the middle.

the 3 triangle formation bolts hold the top mount to the car, the big centre nut holds it to the strut itself,you undo the centre nut,grip the shiny metal part under the gaitor and pull the top mount off

charlieogden

Is this whats broken?
SUBARU # 20370FE110 Mount Strut R 4WD on eBay, also, Subaru, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-May-09 14:02:28 BST)

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

Thats the top mount yes,dont know if thats correct for your yr etc tho,its the cheap part to try 1st and more than likely the culprit,2 of them say £50 delivered.

new shockers, triple that

charlieogden

So its not too difficult then as i said i have already taken the seat out and got to the 3 bolts and then the single bolt it had a allen key in the threaded bit would you just use a ring spanner and a Allen key and undo like that, ive got a sprung compressor to would i need it?

Thankyou for all your replies as it is bugging the hell out of me!

Charlie

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

you can use an allen key and ring spanner,i had no joy this way hence i put a cloth around the actual strut under the gaitor,gripped it and just used a socket on the nut.

If you have a spring compressor you can use it,but you prob wont need it,the springs arent compressed that much once off the car and when i did mine, as soon as i loosened the top mount from the strut the spring just went loose and was safe to handle.

no probs.

charlieogden

Hum...sounds like the ticket, il get a mount ordered and give it go at the weekend see what the out come is. will the strut mount look broken when i get it off the car?

Thankyou again i will let you know how it goes.

Charlie

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

Good luck bud.

it wont look broken,theres a bearing in there,i think its this that causes the problem.

slipstream_uk

iTrader: (1)

OK dumb question here,

What actually goes in the top mounts, is it the bearings inside them ?
Cant they just be pressed out and replaced.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

why would there be a bearing in the rear???

the fronts have a bearing to allow the shocker to swivel while turning left/right

the rears only move up and down ,this is definitely rear shocker itself jack the car up and try spraying the shaft with wd40 see if this cures it for a day or two,

only real cure is new shocker which within 10k you will more than likely be asking the same question as there piece of c**p or go the coilover route

charlieogden

ok next problem the allen key ontop of the shock is now rounded off (Thank you snap on tools) what can i do now is it safe to put grips round the shock piston or will marking it damage and rubber dust things?

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

Thats the problem i had,hence i put a cloth around the inner tube under the gaitor to grip what is in affect what holding it with the allen key does then use a socket set to undo the nut

charlieogden

ok nut all off used some moul grips and some rag only a very small mark on the ram....but still cant get at the top mount it moves but no where near enough to get it out what next?

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

you`ll have to tap it off.
probably why you have noise,its seized on there

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

If you are feeling really adventurous you could repack the shocker as well with some grease,but this involves removing the Ram,not hard,nut underneath the shock itself,and repack the grease reservoir but you need to use the correct grease. (i did say if you were feeling adventurous tho)

cheers

charlieogden

so just put the nuts back on and tap it out will the shock just gently fall. Tap all nuts? without the shock in will the whole wheel drop alot lower than it is at the mo( with the shock stuck) if that makes sense!

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

wo wo wo bud.

you need to remove the shock from the car to remove the top mount,you cant just undo the 3 triangle positioned bolts and the centre bolt and just pull the top mount off !!!

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

like this



then






This is if you were repacking it with grease

charlieogden

ah See see, great two more ceased bolts to contend with then! well i sprayed all that with WD this afternoon any who. So ill give it another go tomorrow thank you for you help again

Charlie

charlieogden

Right i have taken the shock off (note to self buy a air gun) thinking the top mount must be broke but i wasn't it was as good as new. the struts are KYB struts and they are perfect good fast return but........


see squiggle

So when i put the top mount over the non threaded part(squiggle), then when you put the bolt on to secure the top mount it runs out of thread before it tightens to the top mount even with a washer because they only go over the threaded bit not the wider non threaded bit. So at the mo i got some washers made and there in there to pack it out a bit. But what is missing/fallen out any one else using the same struts? Help and info needed

Charlie

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

Maybe they are the wrong top mounts for the KYB struts ??

Sure someone on here has those shocks who can enlighten you

charlieogden

its just wired that i got over a speed bump and suddenly its starts to knock.....but yeah fingers crossed some will enlighten me...............

charlieogden

Would any one be kind enough to measure the little washer that goes ontop of the top mount under the nut (surprisingly)i need inner and outer measurements dont think i will matter if its off an older car i have lost one and cant order one from Subaru so will have to go DIY..........some one must have one lying around............

Charlie