Mysterious "Clunk"

Misanthrope789 · 03-18-2008, 05:26 AM

I have an 05' STi w/40000 miles and I noticed today when I was coasting in neutral under 5mph in my driveway the driverside rear wheel has a pronounced clunk. The suspension is stock I'm running stock tire & wheels as well...

Any ideas?

fourseasonsandles · 03-18-2008, 05:31 AM

Sounds like strut clunk. It is your strut sticking and then finally letting go that makes the sound. Mine does it more as the weather gets warmer.

Put a jack under your car, raise up the rear end and either spray or rub down the struts with some kind of lub. It will kill the sound for about a month.

Your only other options are to take the struts off and repack the grease, and even that will only last for a few months. Or you can replace your struts with new ones. The clunk will still eventually come back. Last option is to replace your struts with an aftermarket brand such as Prodrive or Ohlins or go for a coilover.

It is a super common issue
Rear Strut Clunk Log

jakillz · 03-18-2008, 05:33 AM

It's especially pronounced when going slow over bumpy terrain correct? I have that same sound. Nothing to neccessarilly(sp) worry about is it?

Urban07STI · 03-18-2008, 05:41 AM

Join the famous rear strut clunk club.....I joined at 11K miles in my 07.

STiProsDoc · 03-18-2008, 07:26 AM

I seem to have it too in my 07. The clunk is definitely coming from the front though as I exit the garage and pass over a small dip from garage to driveway.

***MacSTi*** · 03-18-2008, 07:47 AM

I am getting it too, but it is not my strut....why...because I have coilovers...It is my rear sway bar moving...

Misanthrope789 · 03-18-2008, 07:58 AM

Oh man, thats good to hear... I did jack the car up and it is indeed the clunk. I have 40k on the car, do you think Subaru will replace them... Free?

If not what am I looking at for the best solution..? I really like the handling of the stock setup, as I am not auto crossing it so I don't need to dump a crap load of $$$ on aftermarket..

fourseasonsandles · 03-18-2008, 10:15 AM

Easiest/Cheapest is to use some sort of lube on the struts once per month. Subaru may or may not replace them. Depends on the dealer. I would guess not with you as you are above the bumper to bumper warranty. You are still under your drive train warranty though.

New struts like the Prodrives or Ohlins will cost about $2k. Coilovers can be slightly cheaper or much more expensive depending on what you buy.

FlyinbySTi · 03-18-2008, 01:19 PM

mine gave up at 70K and I drove on them another 10K and ordered up BC racing coilovers. They are a nice ride without being real harsh. You can find mine a twisties comments on the bc coilovers if you just search.

03-18-2008, 05:26 AM	#1
Misanthrope789 Amateur STI Driver Car: Silver 05 STi Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Kent,Wa Posts: 34 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Mysterious "Clunk" I have an 05' STi w/40000 miles and I noticed today when I was coasting in neutral under 5mph in my driveway the driverside rear wheel has a pronounced clunk. The suspension is stock I'm running stock tire & wheels as well... Any ideas? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-18-2008, 05:31 AM	#2
fourseasonsandles Silver Member Car: 06 CGM Wingless Fav Mod: The Newest One! Location: Ra cha cha NY Posts: 3,115 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" Sounds like strut clunk. It is your strut sticking and then finally letting go that makes the sound. Mine does it more as the weather gets warmer. Put a jack under your car, raise up the rear end and either spray or rub down the struts with some kind of lub. It will kill the sound for about a month. Your only other options are to take the struts off and repack the grease, and even that will only last for a few months. Or you can replace your struts with new ones. The clunk will still eventually come back. Last option is to replace your struts with an aftermarket brand such as Prodrive or Ohlins or go for a coilover. It is a super common issue Rear Strut Clunk Log

03-18-2008, 05:33 AM	#3
jakillz Junior STI Driver Car: OBP 05 STI Fav Mod: jazzy eng. ipod adapter :) Location: Northern MA Posts: 79 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" It's especially pronounced when going slow over bumpy terrain correct? I have that same sound. Nothing to neccessarilly(sp) worry about is it?

03-18-2008, 05:41 AM	#4
Urban07STI Professional STI Racer Car: UGM 07 STI Fav Mod: Learning to drive better Location: Eastern Massachusetts Posts: 807 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" Join the famous rear strut clunk club.....I joined at 11K miles in my 07.

03-18-2008, 07:26 AM	#5
STiProsDoc Junior STI Driver Car: 07 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Stage 1 (for now) Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 151 Join Date: Sep 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" I seem to have it too in my 07. The clunk is definitely coming from the front though as I exit the garage and pass over a small dip from garage to driveway.

03-18-2008, 07:47 AM	#6
*MacSTi* I has BOOST! Car: 2005 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: LightWerkz Projector Retrofit Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 1,850 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (12)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" I am getting it too, but it is not my strut....why...because I have coilovers...It is my rear sway bar moving...

03-18-2008, 07:58 AM	#7
Misanthrope789 Amateur STI Driver Car: Silver 05 STi Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Kent,Wa Posts: 34 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" Oh man, thats good to hear... I did jack the car up and it is indeed the clunk. I have 40k on the car, do you think Subaru will replace them... Free? If not what am I looking at for the best solution..? I really like the handling of the stock setup, as I am not auto crossing it so I don't need to dump a crap load of $$$ on aftermarket..

03-18-2008, 10:15 AM	#8
fourseasonsandles Silver Member Car: 06 CGM Wingless Fav Mod: The Newest One! Location: Ra cha cha NY Posts: 3,115 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" Easiest/Cheapest is to use some sort of lube on the struts once per month. Subaru may or may not replace them. Depends on the dealer. I would guess not with you as you are above the bumper to bumper warranty. You are still under your drive train warranty though. New struts like the Prodrives or Ohlins will cost about $2k. Coilovers can be slightly cheaper or much more expensive depending on what you buy.

03-18-2008, 01:19 PM	#9
FlyinbySTi Silver Member Car: 05' STi Fav Mod: JDM Fogs Posts: 2,355 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Mysterious "Clunk" mine gave up at 70K and I drove on them another 10K and ordered up BC racing coilovers. They are a nice ride without being real harsh. You can find mine a twisties comments on the bc coilovers if you just search. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.