Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix

ZenBoy · 03-25-2008, 06:27 PM

A bit of history:

- At around 30,000 miles, I started to get the rear-end clunk that usually signals a strut problem. Sure enough, the dealer's service tech verified on a test drive that the rear struts needed to be replaced under warranty, per a Subaru Service Bulletin. I had them replaced.

- In late January of this year, I was laid off (downsized) from a rather lucrative job as an IT Manager. I'm still looking for a new job, and my severance package will end next month. In other words, I don't want to piss away money if I don't have to.

- I'm getting rear-end clunks again at 70,500 miles. According to the dealer, struts and springs ARE covered by my Subaru extended warranty. The $100 deductible applies, of course. The sway bar end-links are intact (PolTec end links on a Whiteline adjustable sway bar).

Now, the question. Do I:

a) Pay for the dealer to investigate the issue, with the possibility of having the rear struts or springs replaced under warranty. Price: $100 deductible (plus any diagnostic fees, since it may not be a warranty item).

b) Buy the coil-overs I've been planning on (RCE or Bilstein), replacing the struts & springs all the way around the car. Price: $2500+ (to be taken out of savings, which won't kill me unless I'm out of a job for the next year-plus).

What think, folks?

***jnprn2003*** · 03-25-2008, 06:31 PM

Warranty

Bishop · 03-25-2008, 06:33 PM

Warranty.... the coils will always be available.... play the safe route

***Turbineguy*** · 03-25-2008, 06:45 PM

What they said. Make sure your secure before you buy toys.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 03-25-2008, 06:58 PM

Warranty.

**RaceComp Engineering** · 03-25-2008, 08:02 PM

warranty.............and if you dont...........dont limit your purchase to the RCE's..there are TIC, Ohlins and others also..( not to confuse the matter).

but yep.....warranty.

Myles

ps: Not to mention...some day when you get married( I say that because there is NO way you are married, 'cause she would have already told you the deal)......some day you will be able to use this action as leverage for future decisions( sighting that you are NOT irresponsible with money

) and make smart decisions.

MKTURBO · 03-25-2008, 08:03 PM

Warranty, but make sure to research a dealer that is known to be helpful and flexible

ZenBoy · 03-25-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering

warranty.............and if you dont...........dont limit your purchase to the RCE's..there are TIC, Ohlins and others also..( not to confuse the matter).

but yep.....warranty.

Myles

ps: Not to mention...some day when you get married( I say that because there is NO way you are married, 'cause she would have already told you the deal)......some day you will be able to use this action as leverage for future decisions( sighting that you are NOT irresponsible with money

) and make smart decisions.

Thanks, Myles. That was hilarious!

You got me dead to rights - I'm not married. Go figure.

And thanks for the input, guys. I think I'm getting a bit of cabin fever, since winter's here for an extended stay this year. I want to go out and play.

Bishop · 03-25-2008, 09:04 PM

Trust me man, im itchin like MAD to get my Stg 2 protune out the way, but im waiting to make sure i get everything i want to add into my protune, like a walbro, maybe injectors, an intake possibly, boost control solenoid.... takes time and im impatient.... Still gotta think though, better keep your priorities in line

**Parker** · 03-25-2008, 09:40 PM

even if you were to get the coils, i'd still get the struts replaced under warranty first. that way you have a fresh new set if/when you decide to go back to stock.

Bishop · 03-25-2008, 09:48 PM

05_GD7 · 03-26-2008, 03:22 AM

Here's my thought - the last time you paid 100 bucks and warranty work, what did that get you? Another set of clunking struts?

These struts inherently clunk, no matter how many times you replace them. Instead of $100 bucks, spend $10, jack up your car, and grease them. Its a temp fix, which will last for 5-10K miles or so, then jack it up and do it again. Its a 5 min job.

Worked for me until I replaced everything with RB320.

**boondocksaint** · 03-26-2008, 04:51 AM

Warranty, if those are the two choices.

Drag-On · 03-26-2008, 07:25 AM

Warranty hands down.

View Poll Results: Replace the struts / springs under warranty for now, or with RCE coil-overs?
Pay for the dealer to investigate the issue, with the possibility of having the rear struts or springs replaced under warranty.	8	100.00%
Buy the coil-overs I've been planning on, replacing the struts & springs all the way around the car.	0	0%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

03-25-2008, 06:27 PM	#1
ZenBoy Grassroots STI Racer Car: 2004 WRB STi Fav Mod: Earplugs. Location: Minneapolis, Minnesnowta Posts: 597 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (2)	Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix A bit of history: - At around 30,000 miles, I started to get the rear-end clunk that usually signals a strut problem. Sure enough, the dealer's service tech verified on a test drive that the rear struts needed to be replaced under warranty, per a Subaru Service Bulletin. I had them replaced. - In late January of this year, I was laid off (downsized) from a rather lucrative job as an IT Manager. I'm still looking for a new job, and my severance package will end next month. In other words, I don't want to piss away money if I don't have to. - I'm getting rear-end clunks again at 70,500 miles. According to the dealer, struts and springs ARE covered by my Subaru extended warranty. The $100 deductible applies, of course. The sway bar end-links are intact (PolTec end links on a Whiteline adjustable sway bar). Now, the question. Do I: a) Pay for the dealer to investigate the issue, with the possibility of having the rear struts or springs replaced under warranty. Price: $100 deductible (plus any diagnostic fees, since it may not be a warranty item). b) Buy the coil-overs I've been planning on (RCE or Bilstein), replacing the struts & springs all the way around the car. Price: $2500+ (to be taken out of savings, which won't kill me unless I'm out of a job for the next year-plus). What think, folks? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by ZenBoy : 03-25-2008 at 08:57 PM.

03-25-2008, 06:31 PM	#2
*jnprn2003* The Stig II Car: 07 STi, 07 Speed 3.. Fav Mod: EFI Logics tune Location: The Ocean State Posts: 2,128 Join Date: Feb 2007 Trader Rating: (10)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty

03-25-2008, 06:33 PM	#3
Bishop HowTo Contributor Car: 07 OBP STi Fav Mod: Stg 2 - STRI gauges Location: Niwot, CO Posts: 2,321 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty.... the coils will always be available.... play the safe route

03-25-2008, 06:45 PM	#4
*Turbineguy* Non-Reformed Meth Addict Car: '06 WRB Fav Mod: A laptop and tuning software. Location: Swampbilly Central Posts: 2,384 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (8)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix What they said. Make sure your secure before you buy toys.

03-25-2008, 06:58 PM	#5
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,070 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty.

03-25-2008, 08:02 PM	#6
RaceComp Engineering Authorized Vendor Car: 2008 Pinarello FP5 Fav Mod: New Underwear after a 147mph slide into turn 17 at Sebring in the rain....still got 3rd.. Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 3,172 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (10)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix warranty.............and if you dont...........dont limit your purchase to the RCE's..there are TIC, Ohlins and others also..( not to confuse the matter). but yep.....warranty. Myles ps: Not to mention...some day when you get married( I say that because there is NO way you are married, 'cause she would have already told you the deal)......some day you will be able to use this action as leverage for future decisions( sighting that you are NOT irresponsible with money) and make smart decisions.

03-25-2008, 08:03 PM	#7
MKTURBO Is Scared Of Kevin... Car: 2007 WRX STI Limited Fav Mod: APS Catless R1 TurboBack Exhaust Posts: 2,977 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty, but make sure to research a dealer that is known to be helpful and flexible

03-25-2008, 09:04 PM	#9
Bishop HowTo Contributor Car: 07 OBP STi Fav Mod: Stg 2 - STRI gauges Location: Niwot, CO Posts: 2,321 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Trust me man, im itchin like MAD to get my Stg 2 protune out the way, but im waiting to make sure i get everything i want to add into my protune, like a walbro, maybe injectors, an intake possibly, boost control solenoid.... takes time and im impatient.... Still gotta think though, better keep your priorities in line

03-25-2008, 09:40 PM	#10
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 3,275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix even if you were to get the coils, i'd still get the struts replaced under warranty first. that way you have a fresh new set if/when you decide to go back to stock.

03-25-2008, 09:48 PM	#11
Bishop HowTo Contributor Car: 07 OBP STi Fav Mod: Stg 2 - STRI gauges Location: Niwot, CO Posts: 2,321 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix

03-26-2008, 03:22 AM	#12
05_GD7 Spec C Club Car: 05 STi - Black Fav Mod: No Lien Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,882 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Here's my thought - the last time you paid 100 bucks and warranty work, what did that get you? Another set of clunking struts? These struts inherently clunk, no matter how many times you replace them. Instead of $100 bucks, spend $10, jack up your car, and grease them. Its a temp fix, which will last for 5-10K miles or so, then jack it up and do it again. Its a 5 min job. Worked for me until I replaced everything with RB320.

03-26-2008, 04:51 AM	#13
boondocksaint Reasonable Car: Boony's Motown STi Fav Mod: correct grammar Location: D3TR01T Posts: 22,628 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty, if those are the two choices.

03-26-2008, 07:25 AM	#14
Drag-On Grassroots STI Racer Car: '06 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: RCE Tarmac 2 Location: So Cal Posts: 569 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Catch-22: Rear-end clunks & layoffs don't mix Warranty hands down. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.