W R X

Hi all -I have noticed a faint knocking noise coming from the rear of my 2005 WRX. I can replicate it by applying firm pressure on the rear quarter however have only ever notice whilst driving when reversing from my steepish drive onto the main road. I cant hear it over speed humps or pot holes. Its not a big clunk, rather a fairly quiet "knock". Hard to explain really

To be honest it wasnt bothering me until I read that the shocks on the blobeye are a well known problem and that the problem will no doubt get worse unless sorted.

Anyway, I was having a mooch about under the wheel arch and noticed the springs are blue so guessing these arent standard (?). I havent got a clue about suspension so could this noise be something to do with the aftermarket springs rather than the "usual Blobeye shock issue"?

Is there anything else I can check myself before booking her into the garage?

The car is a 2005 WRX PPP on 35k miles.

Thanks in advance!

Abx

iTrader: (15)

Check the top shock nuts that are visable from the boot, I've had these work loose before and gave a similar noise.

Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

I reckon it is the common problem with the shocks. I have decided to have mine stripped down, cleaned out & fitted with a grease nipple & keep them greased regularly as this is the lest expensive route at the moment for me.

Gigsy

Presuming yours are the inverted style dampers, then it's sticking rear struts almost without question.

They can be re-greased which will cure this until the grease dries out again (Google is your friend).

For a more permanent but a bit more expensive fix, get some KYB Excel-Gs for a 2003 on WRX (yes, they will fit - top hats are the same, it's just that 2005 on struts were inverted and KYB don't yet sell them). If yours is a wagon though, make sure you get the wagon specific ones.

Blue springs = Prodrive. Nothing wrong with those! ;o)

Gigsy

I presume you've been told that only the Subaru inverted ones will fit as KYB don't list any for the 2005on Impreza?

In which case, not true... as above, both the earlier non-inverted and later inverted struts have the same profile for fitting in the top hat (pre-2003 struts had a slightly different profile on this part) so no need to keep re-greasing or to pay £300+ per strut from Subaru, just get a pair of 2003-2005 KYBs for £160 a pair

W R X

Cheers for the advice.

I'll go down the greasing route to start with. If it's a ***** ache and/or doesnt last that long ill pick up some KYB Excel-Gs.

Top work Scoobynet

Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

There is an excellent thread on SNet with pics that shows you exactly how to strip them down & where to drill & tap for the grease nipple

W R X

Cheers Tony. The more I am searching the more money I feel compelled to spend . I've gone from whacking on a bit of grease to solve a minor irk to now wanting a full set of KYB Ultra SRs

I have a few more noob shock/suspension questions if your or Gigsy would be so kind...

- Does the fact I have the prodrive springs matter when choosing the replacement shocks and do you know if the Ultra SRs will affect ride height? It's running slightly lower than standard already and I dont really want it any lower. Feels about right...

- Do you know if these are the correct shocks for a WRX 2005 saloon? (still "umming and ahhing" re the Excel-G vs Ultra SRs)

- How much roughly would I be looking to pay a specialist to swap out the OEM shocks with the KYBs? (assuming I will need to swap the fronts out too rather than just the rears)?

If the problem is going to gradually get worse and no doubt eventually affect the front I may as well just get it done properly.

Cheers!

abc

I'm going to have to replace my struts pretty soon on a similar car, so I've read this thread with interest.

One question: I thought that KYB manufactured the OEMs and that they were therefore to be avoided. Is that correct, or do the replacements Gigsy has suggested not suffer the same problem? Thanks.

Gigsy

Re springs affecting damper choice, no - the Prodrive springs are designed to work with stock dampers so ordinary Excel-Gs will be fine but if you want a bit more damping stiffness then get the Ultra SRs.

Swapping the struts over takes about 2 hours - no need for a specialist to do it, they're just struts. Factor in ~£70 for a geometry setup afterwards though.




KYB do manufacture the OEM ones but the after-market KYBs don't suffer with the same issues as the originals since they are not inverted.

abc

Thanks very much, Gigsy.

Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

I have sent you a PM with some excellent info from Dave Hedgehog on the matter in question. Should be really helpful

W R X

Great - thanks Tony. Got the PM, just reading now.