I have an MY01 WRX on Eibachs.

Yesterdy I noticed that a slight knocking noise from the O/S/R was getting worse. On fast roads I couldn't hear it but going slowly down rough roads really made it knock and creak. If you are driving slowly over say a speed bump when the car goes over and drops down the other side it creaks and knocks like mad.

I stopped the car and bounced the back up and down but could not simulate the noise. The car only bounced once and returned to the correct position.

Does this sound like a knackered shock absorber or something else?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Nathan..

 

If you lower the car with springs only, shocks often blow. That's due to the lesser damper travel and the fact that they go all the way through to the bottom, hitting it repeatedly.

If your shock has really blown, it could be that there is oil all over the rim. That's probably the easiest thing to check: look at the wheel in question and the one on the opposite side and see if the have the same amount of dirt on them or if one is black and the other only has brake pad deposit on it.

If there are no obvious signs of failure (other than what you experience behind the wheel), you can get the damper checked on a machine that tests its compression. But you'll need a suspension specialist shop for that type of equipment, I believe...

 

I would also look at the rear anti-roll bar linkages and their bushes. Also look at any other bushes in that area for wear/failure.

Cheers

Ian

 

Thanks for the replies.

Just been outside.

I can't find any oil on the wheel or around the area of the shock. The Eibachs have only been on the car for about 1500 miles.

The only play in a bush that I can find is a very slight one on the O/S drop link.

Damn my technical incompetence.

Cheers

Nathan..

 

Nathan,

have EXACTLY the same thing on my car too !
it's not lowered & standard all round.
but over pot holes & some bumps it knocks from the rear (think O/S/R)
My 1st thought was shocks ! & they do creak and grown over speed bumps (really horrible plasticy sqeek!). but droplinks did also spring to mind!
havent had a chance to get back under to check mine, but I'd get yours looked at (specially if it's the same side you brushed the kerb with.

if you can move the droplink byhand - then I rekon it's that!
gona try mine (or just buy some aftermarket ones with proper bushes !!)

cheers
Steve

 

Steve its the opposite side of the car this time.

The noise is really starting to wind me up, its very creaky but there is definitely a knock there too.

I can harly move the droplink but I have bought some forged Powerflex Drop Links to replace the standard items with anyway, I shall whack them on tomorrow and see what happens.

If that doesn't cure it I'll prolly just change the shock as I can't think of anything else which would make that noise from that area.

Cheers

Nathan..

 

my kind of thinking too..
gona do shocks at the same time as springs.
let us all know!

Steve