I have an 05 wrx with what seems to be the common problem of the knocking/clunking noise coming from the rear. It seems to be evident only when starting off and at low speeds , what I would like some advice on is the following :-

Is there a way to see whether its the struts or the droplinks that are the problem ?

If it is the struts is it possible to regrease them as per the sti diy fix that I have seen on here and a few other places ?

Most of the complaints I have read are on sti`s but I believe that my year of car has the same design of inverted struts - albeit of a lower spec maybe.

was going to raise the car and spray some grease on the strut after pushing up the dust boots - if the noise disappeared or seemed to get less then that would tell me where the problem lay..... does this sound like a reasonable way to go ?

thanks for any insight that anyone can provide.

 

Had a small bit of knocking from my 05 wrx rear ns shock, maybe because it had been sitting for a few months but i sprayed wd40(only thing i could find at the time) and it stopped it for a few weeks, will smear some grease on it next time see how long that lasts.
The shocks can be repacked as they can be taken appart like the sti ones.
You will know when the rear shocks are knocking,
this knock you mention though sounds like what i have, i think i have narrowed it down to the handbreak shoes, i think they maybe sticking.
when you stop and then start off there is a small clonk, as if they stick and just release, it doesnt happen every time tho.
when you stop on an incline and put the handbreak on does the car move back a touch, like there is a small bit of play in the handbreak? spoken to someone else and they say its how they are made and cant really be changed.
maybe its this bit of play is what is causing the small clonk when the car stops and then starts

 

Thanks for that nolan, when I stop and then start off again it does sound like something is sticking and then being released. Handbrake seems fine though and will hold the car on hills with no problems.

hopefully will get a chance to spray on some grease today just to try and start eliminating something as the noise is really beginning to annoy me now.

 

sprayed the struts with grease and the knocking has disappeared - guess thats another one to add to faulty struts then.

will see how long it lasts before deciding whether to strip them down or buy something different.

any cheap alternative makes anyone ?

 

Spraying anything outside the seal is a very short term paliative, stripping and regreasing has had some success for a very small outlay.

Simon

 

realise its only a short term fix but at least it proved that the noise was coming from the struts - how long would I get out of a regreasing ?

If it was really top quality grease such as the prolong stuff would that cure the problem for good if no other damage has been sustained ?

 

Some peopel have regreased the struts (takes about 45minutes a side) and only got a months benefit, others are still using them 18 months on.....it often takes 2 goes as its impossible to fully back the volume in one go, although drilling and adding a grease point is an option I guess!

I used Castrol 'red' sticky grease designed for boat trailer wheel bearings.

Simon

 

Thanks for that Simon, will plan in a grease change when I get the time. Will be quite happy if I get anywhere near 18 months out of them.