ronanharper

Hi

I have a Nov 2003 STI Type UK. Recently the back to struts failed and I had to get them replaced (they failed at different times). Since the failure of the struts I have noticed that the steering and general handling of the car is all over the place.

It feels as if the front wheeks are loose or that something in the suspension on the front is fecked? I got my local mechanic to do a quick check and the front suspension seems to be tight and ok.

It happens alot on uneven roads. For example, if I am going down a hill and letting the car just cruise down it, the steering pulls me all over the road, but the actual steering wheel never moves!

Its getting on my nerves and I really need some advice. Subaru have not looked at it yet but I want ideas before I bring the car in.

Thanks
Ronan

911

IMHO:
Get the car to an independant specialist for an alignment check.
Powerstation can work magic (I have the proof!).

Graham.

S.P.Developments

As above.. If you can get there you will not be dissapionted..
http://www.powerstation.org.uk Curtis is the man to speak to.. ..

John

ronanharper

Thanks guys

Will get that done pronto. Wont get to powerstation though as I live in Ireland but I'll shop around for the best quality place.

Cheers again
Ronan

greatwhite

Did you get them replaced under warranty, if so shouldn't the geometry be done under warranty if that is the suspected cause after fitting new shocks?

mgcvk

I have exactly the same symptoms you describe Ronan. To the point I pulled over and checked the wheel nuts were tight at the front. I have a new age wrx fitted with sti suspension. The problem just seemed to appear out of the blue. There is also a slight clicking at the back, but I don't think warranty will cover it. I'm going to try to get to Powerstation or similar.

supertouring

Have you recently replaced the tyres - I find these to have a big effect on the car's desire to follow the road surface.

mgcvk

My tyres are pretty new but run in Eagle F1 GSD3's so I don't think its them.

ronanharper

My back left strut failed first and was knocking like mad. I got it replaced under warranty but all they did was fit that one strut (bit of a bugger as the Subaru garage said they usually fit 2 struts at a time, but Subaru warranty said they would only cover one). It was at this time I started to feel the cars handling be out of place.

A week later the other rear strut failed and it took me ages to get them to replace that strut - all they did was replace the strut again.

I don't think its the tyres as I put the cars second set of tyres on her 10k miles ago - I put the bridgestone re070 tyres on her (the ones with the slick edge from te new age sti's. The strut failures has been in the last 4k miles approx.

I'm looking to see who can do a quality laser alignment for 4wd cars her in Ireland and I'll post a thread to let you know the outcome. Want it done this week.

Later...
Ró

ronanharper

Right

I got my wheel alignment done on Saturday in Galway. The guy had a "new age" 3D alignment machine (better than laser). He said the back wheels were perfect (perhaps Subaru sorted them out when they replaced the struts) but the front 2 were off. Hs said the STI Subaru's are meant to have a slightly negative "toe" whilst mine had a positive "toe".

In short - the car feels way better. Really feel it being better to drive. Think there is still a little movement but nothing to worry about. Money well spent (€50).

Spot on guys - thanks
Ronan

mgcvk

Just had my geometry and alignment done today at Powerstation. A big improvement. It was my fronts that were out too. Also had adjustable rear anti roll bar which has tautened things up a bit. Apparently the "stickiness" of the sti struts is very common. They don't settle properly whilst the car is in motion. This causes that sinking feeling at the back when you come to a halt.

ronanharper

Ok its been a while but this thing is getting worse and worse for me! I'm running on Bridgestones RE070's and they are about 70% worn. In saying that, this problem has been since they were almost new.

I've had wheels rotated, rebalanced, realigned and still no good. The car is starting to feel dangerous as in having no feeling of steering sometimes. She feels like a 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.8DLX in the front sometimes - a big boaty??!! She is darting all over the road as if someone quickly jerks the steering.

She is going to Subary on Friday but I'm lookig for some advice first. They tell me that it potentially the tyres and the RE070's have been known to give the driving sensations I have - I cant understand that for a tyre that Subaru have been putting on their STI's this 2 years and continue to do so??

Basically Subaru are going to put a new set of wheels and tyres on her first to see if that solves the problem - they are confident it will.

To me, it does not feel like a tyre problem. It feels as if the steering column bushing (if there is such a thing?) is worn or is playful.

At the weekend I went to overtake a lorry on a wide road but had to brake up sharp and tuck behind again. When I braked up hard the car felt as if she was dragging me to the right hand side and it took a real delicate kind of driving to comfort her back to the left hand side of the road??

Its so bad I feel like selling her if this is not sorted

Any thoughts, experiences, solutions??? Please?

Cheers!
Ró

ninjacost

It'll be the tyres mate they are absolute sh*t for tramlining great tyre in the dry on a smooth road which is a rarity in my area suggest you change them to cure your problem

ronanharper

Hey, your right - it is the feckin tyres!

Put a set of Prodrive Pff7's on her on Friday past and took her for a decent spin on B roads - the car was fine!

Well, at least thats sorted anyway. Wont be getting them tyres again.

Cheers
Ronan