Hi folks,
Just bought a 2005 2.0WRX estate on Friday 40,000 miles on clock. I was that taken with the handling and performance that i forgot to listen out for any noises and bought the car on the spot. (Well the Mrs said my next family car should be an estate or a 4x4 so this car ticked both boxes and allowed me to own a scooby, look on face when i drove home...priceless)
Now that the weekend and honeymoon period is over i am now hearing creaks and moans coming from all corners of the car, it sounds like a knocking noise.
I have a 3 month warranty with the car and i'm looking for advice, judging by the forum it's a common problem... what should i ask the garage to fix??? is re greasing things a good soloution...
I always enjoyed the dating period during a relationship the best but im hoping for a long time relationship with my WRX

 

This is a common fault mate its the shocker shaft knocking inside the bore of the shock housing so get it back and get it sorted mate or you will find yourself with a hefty bill

 

So what should I ask him to sort? and do you think it will be covered by warranty
Thanksfor response

 

We've got this on our 05 Sti, Subaru have said its the nearside front suspension strut and the top mount that is causing the knocking noise.

Is it best to just change these parts or is it better to be looking at an aftermarket kit as the subaru parts seem so unreliable.
We're due to drive 2000 in the next week on holidays so comments are appreciated

 

You need to get the garage to change the shock absorbers mate as that is the usual cause of such knocks on that age scoob but also check top mounts as well incase there gone also.

If yours are not covered by warrenty then id get some after market suspension as it has been known on some to go through 2/3 standard shocks in not very much mileage but obviously the better you can afford the better off you will be.

 

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If yours are not covered by warrenty then id get some after market suspension as it has been known on some to go through 2/3 standard shocks in not very much mileage but obviously the better you can afford the better off you will be.[/quote]

Yeah we're not covered by warranty , we've only had the car since May time - they say its wear and tear parts, which is fair, but as we've not had it long and not covered horrendous mileage we are asking for some contribution towards the repairs.

Questions tho - if its only knocking at the moment would it last 2000miles?
What aftermarket suspension parts would you recommend?

 

It will do that mileage mate but the knock will get worse and the handling will get sloppyier but not the end of the world if you know about it and drive accordingly,in my oppiniun coil overs are not what id go for id be going for the bilstien prodrive shocks with the 40mm inserts as they give fantastic handling and comfort with some eibach springs but if you do want coilovers then you wont go wrong with tein,ive heard a few bad reports of the bc ones knocking but each to there own really and of course whats your budget?

 

The knocking can also be caused by the top mounts had this on my 05 WRX. Also had both rear struts changed under warranty which both started knocking 15k miles later. The OEM suspension is shocking .
I bought a used set of KYB ULtra SR struts and prodrive springs and they are very good but the rears started knocking so I have replaced them with like for like but when I was changing them there was significant play in both rear top mouns so I am not convinced the KYB Ultras were at fault. That said KYB make the OEM struts as well.

I personally dont like Teins many people have had issues with them. If budget is important go for BC's if you can afford it then KW Var 3's are the way forward these can be set up for a soft ish comfortable ride while still imroving the handling dramatically and if they develop an issue they can be cheaply refurbished as can the BC's.

 

Apex are doing some very good prices on BC's at the moment mate.
I honestly wouldn't bother with OEM shocks as this is a commonly known issue.
Regreasing will only stop the problem for a few months from what I hear.

 

Thanks for all the advice going to go back to garage on Monday

 

@ BexWRX, the struts can be removed and regreased, mine lasted 2 years and I've just done them again, easy done and fixes it nicely. Full instructions are on http://www.nasioc.com but it's dead easy. The peope whos' 'reagreasing' only lasts days are those who don't do it properly, like wiping some grease/oil/sparying WD40 on the exposed damper body hoping it will go in past the seal and magically grease the bearing, they have to come off and be stripped, it's about an hours work a side if you are casual, 45mins if your not (or it starts raining hard mid job!).

Tha handling doesn't get sloppier due to the knock, it gets harsher due to the struts sticking, the damping part is unaffected, prodriverules clearly has no idea what's happening.

Simon