rear end "clunk"-NOT STRUTS OR DIFF BSHNGS

gesundlich · 06-02-2005, 02:32 PM

54,xxx miles on my '04 STi and a new noise. It's a "clunk", or more accurately a "pop" sound (higher in pitch than the diff clunk/thump heard when shifting hard between 1st and 2nd). It's definitely coming from the rear and it's only a single clunk/pop, unlike the multiple "popcorn" noises from the struts. No adverse driving behavior that I've noticed, but it's definitely a noise that wasn't there 20,000 miles ago. Only happens (noticed) when letting off of the gas at slow speeds or accelerating from slow speeds. It's definitely coming from the rear of the car. It can be felt and heard. Essentially, it only happens when weight is transferred fore and aft, or alternatively, when torque is abruptly applied or removed. Subie dealer wasn't helpful in the least. My bet is on either some rear diff mounting point/bushing, something, somewhere in the driveshaft couplings, or perhaps something altogether different. I'd be interesetd in people's theories and, even more so, in their actual diagnosis and solutions. And it's not the rear diff carrier bushings (I have the Whitelines) or strut clunk (just replaced under extended warranty), btw (this is a completely different sound).

Bryan

**Turninconcepts.com** · 06-02-2005, 02:41 PM

Do you happen to have endlinks that use spherical bearings?

gesundlich · 06-02-2005, 04:02 PM

Yes.... Sitting on my bedroom floor (not installed, yet). I have front and rear Cobb sway bars and Perrin rear end-links that I'm probably going to install this weekend. My entire suspension (with the exception of the Whiteline rear diff carrier bushings) is completely stock and has been the whole time I've owned the car. FYI, the diff bushings have been on my car for over 50,000 miles. This seems to be happening to other STi owners, as well. Several have posted both here and on Nabisco about it as well. No answers for anyone, yet.

By the way, the noise sounds like a quick "kuh" sound, if I had to actually try and reproduce it in words (say it out loud and you'll get an idea of the sound I'm talking about). Quite dissimilar from the pronounced "thunk" from the rear diff during shifts or the "pop-pop-pop-pop" of the struts.

Bryan

jays05 · 06-02-2005, 05:59 PM

Is it like what was mentioned in this thread? http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/forums/...ad.php?t=25833

I get a similar noise since about 1000 miles ago, my 05 has 12k miles on it now. It started after a day at the dragstrip when I was getting a lot of wheelhop. I can't believe it is "normal"

WipeOutXXL · 06-02-2005, 07:08 PM

I've been getting that sound since my car had 11,000 miles on it. 2 L7's later, and 3 amps, they are shaking the tears away. Other than that no other problem other than the fact that it's annoying.

gesundlich · 06-02-2005, 07:42 PM

Yep, same as posted in the link above. Interesting. Any one have any theories or solutions? I'm not worried (yet), but the R180 diff isn't cheap to replace (if it is indeed a diff problem at all). Like to hear any others chime in.

WipeOutXXL · 06-02-2005, 08:41 PM

...factory warranty will also wash away the tears...if it is a problem. I'll hand the service guy $100 bucks before it goes out to replace anything under warranty that...."is going to go out".....

ChrisF · 06-02-2005, 09:40 PM

Tomorrow is my appt. with the dealer. Will report back. I'm going to insist on a tech ride along so they can't say "don't know what you're talking about...sounds normal to us".

ChrisF · 06-03-2005, 09:36 AM

Glazed look on the service tech's face this am was not confidence inspiring.

***Ben*** · 06-03-2005, 12:55 PM

Update to my post here: http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/forums/...620#post267620

Basically, long story short, the noise is normal.

06-02-2005, 02:32 PM	#1
gesundlich Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: driving lessons :) Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 422 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	rear end "clunk"-NOT STRUTS OR DIFF BSHNGS 54,xxx miles on my '04 STi and a new noise. It's a "clunk", or more accurately a "pop" sound (higher in pitch than the diff clunk/thump heard when shifting hard between 1st and 2nd). It's definitely coming from the rear and it's only a single clunk/pop, unlike the multiple "popcorn" noises from the struts. No adverse driving behavior that I've noticed, but it's definitely a noise that wasn't there 20,000 miles ago. Only happens (noticed) when letting off of the gas at slow speeds or accelerating from slow speeds. It's definitely coming from the rear of the car. It can be felt and heard. Essentially, it only happens when weight is transferred fore and aft, or alternatively, when torque is abruptly applied or removed. Subie dealer wasn't helpful in the least. My bet is on either some rear diff mounting point/bushing, something, somewhere in the driveshaft couplings, or perhaps something altogether different. I'd be interesetd in people's theories and, even more so, in their actual diagnosis and solutions. And it's not the rear diff carrier bushings (I have the Whitelines) or strut clunk (just replaced under extended warranty), btw (this is a completely different sound). Bryan This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-02-2005, 04:02 PM	#3
gesundlich Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: driving lessons :) Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 422 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	Yes.... Sitting on my bedroom floor (not installed, yet). I have front and rear Cobb sway bars and Perrin rear end-links that I'm probably going to install this weekend. My entire suspension (with the exception of the Whiteline rear diff carrier bushings) is completely stock and has been the whole time I've owned the car. FYI, the diff bushings have been on my car for over 50,000 miles. This seems to be happening to other STi owners, as well. Several have posted both here and on Nabisco about it as well. No answers for anyone, yet. By the way, the noise sounds like a quick "kuh" sound, if I had to actually try and reproduce it in words (say it out loud and you'll get an idea of the sound I'm talking about). Quite dissimilar from the pronounced "thunk" from the rear diff during shifts or the "pop-pop-pop-pop" of the struts. Bryan Last edited by gesundlich; 06-02-2005 at 04:05 PM.

06-03-2005, 12:55 PM	#10
*Ben* Retired Admin Car: 2008 LR STI Fav Mod: Weight Loss Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 3,153 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 1969 Trader Rating: (11)	Update to my post here: http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/forums/...620#post267620 Basically, long story short, the noise is normal. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

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06-02-2005, 02:41 PM	#2
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,505 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (54)	Do you happen to have endlinks that use spherical bearings?

06-02-2005, 05:59 PM	#4
jays05 Spec C Club Car: Blue 05 STI Fav Mod: 4th gear wheelspin Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,098 IWSTI Addict since: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Is it like what was mentioned in this thread? http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/forums/...ad.php?t=25833 I get a similar noise since about 1000 miles ago, my 05 has 12k miles on it now. It started after a day at the dragstrip when I was getting a lot of wheelhop. I can't believe it is "normal"

06-02-2005, 07:08 PM	#5
WipeOutXXL Professional STI Driver Car: 2006 STI Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 471 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I've been getting that sound since my car had 11,000 miles on it. 2 L7's later, and 3 amps, they are shaking the tears away. Other than that no other problem other than the fact that it's annoying.

06-02-2005, 07:42 PM	#6
gesundlich Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: driving lessons :) Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 422 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	Yep, same as posted in the link above. Interesting. Any one have any theories or solutions? I'm not worried (yet), but the R180 diff isn't cheap to replace (if it is indeed a diff problem at all). Like to hear any others chime in.

06-02-2005, 08:41 PM	#7
WipeOutXXL Professional STI Driver Car: 2006 STI Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 471 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	...factory warranty will also wash away the tears...if it is a problem. I'll hand the service guy $100 bucks before it goes out to replace anything under warranty that...."is going to go out".....

06-02-2005, 09:40 PM	#8
ChrisF STI Driver Car: 03' EVO VIII Fav Mod: Moton Clubsports Location: Granada Hills, CA Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Tomorrow is my appt. with the dealer. Will report back. I'm going to insist on a tech ride along so they can't say "don't know what you're talking about...sounds normal to us".

06-03-2005, 09:36 AM	#9
ChrisF STI Driver Car: 03' EVO VIII Fav Mod: Moton Clubsports Location: Granada Hills, CA Posts: 292 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Glazed look on the service tech's face this am was not confidence inspiring.