[telum01]

just to give everyone a head's-up... i've had this terrible clunking sound coming from my rear passenger-side suspension. it didn't do it all the time, but when it did do it, it was getting progressively worse. i thought it might have been a broken swaybar mount (broke 3 when i had my '02 WRX), but everything was solid. i read a thread a while back about lubing up the strut, but that just didn't seem like it would solve the problem. so, with 35,900 miles on the clock, i rolled into the local Suby dealership and had them take a look at it. turns out there was a hairline crack in the strut top mount (i'd have taken a pic, but i could *barely* see it in person). it was so tiny that i was amazed that it could be the source of the issue. so they replaced the mount and problem is solved.

on a side note, i was at the drag strip the same night i went in for the initial warranty claim, and the dude at the service counter was there. ended up giving me tips for launching haha.

cliff notes: hairline crack in strut top mount caused clunking noise. guy from service counter is cool.

[copracer288]

I'm having the same noise. Where exactly should I look for this?

[wjc04wrx]

There was a huge thread on this clunk noise on this forum but now it seems to have dissappeared or deleted. Almost everyone with STI have or had this problem. Most of the people have found that the defective part is actually the strut not the top mount. I had mine replaced in a dealership in Temecula and have never had the problem since.

Where did that thread go?

[kenjib]

Hey guys I am also suffering from the same noise...I've made my appt'ment to have it fixed this week....ty for your posts...I'll report back once I obtain a diagnosis from my local dealership.

[CGMDan]

I've had 2 bouts with clunking. The first I would have sworn was a bad wheel bearing. The dealer decided it was struts, so they were replaced. Noise went away. The second it currently happening and we've traced it down to rear end links. After I buy my house and buy the KB endlinks I'm sure the noise will go away.

[jsmsustudent]

Has this been a problem with the 06's as well. I have an 06 with just over 6000 miles and i have a squeaking sound coming from somewhere in the back glass area on the passenger side. It's def. a sqeaking noise and not a clunking though. I hope Subaru fixed the prob. with the 06's. I know broken mounts are a common prob. with the 06's but mine already had 05 mounts when i bought it brand new. It' was manufacured in Jan of 06.

[telum01]

thanks for adding to the thread, everyone. i'm not sure where that older thread is, but i do remember reading it. i mostly just wanted to add another possibility that people might not have known about.

when it comes to my issue in particular, don't bother looking for the crack in the mount itself, it might be too small. instead, look for small knicks or dings in the metal around the mount. if there really is a crack in it, the metal that should be buffered by the mount will be able to come in contact and there will be dings to show it.

Originally Posted by copracer288

I'm having the same noise. Where exactly should I look for this?

like the rest of these guys are saying, there have been numerous causes for the clunking. the only real way to do it is try to find out what it is as best you can. if you are still under warranty, have the dealer do it because they can replace any part they need to and it will only cost you down time.

if you don't still have the warranty, try to find someone local that's really good with these cars and has diagnosed suspension issues before.

[brutalsti]

very common problem.....usually dealers cover it regardless of modifications unless you have altered suspension parts

[Mystic]

mine started about 2 weeks ago from rear drivers side , i thought it was me or someting in the trunk just a small clunking sound and no one else could hear it , well over the holiday weekend it got so bad i thought something was goign to fall out of the rear end ..haha

called today and talked to my buddy at subby and its goign in for warranty work next week or so ..hopefully this solves the problem

[RAS_STI]

FYI. CLUNK = STRUT (everytime). bad design. Sube won't admit it. but it's true.

search is your friend.

Happy clunking

[MR. STi]

wow im having the same exact problem ... i thought i broke something , so wat do i do now ? ... i cant bring my car to the dealer because they will void me in a second !!

[TheLimitedProject]

^Not unless you've altered your suspension... a big ass turbo (for example) shouldn't merit voiding your suspension warranty.

[wjc04wrx]

Here u go, found the huge 7 page thread that started it all. Everyone thought they had broken something until almost everyone started saying that they had the same problem. Almost the same as everyone feeling that damm nick on third gear

http://www.wrxfanatics.com/index.php...opic=28273&hl=

For all I know, the 06 came with such problem too. Last time I was at the dealer here in SD, a guy with an 06 was telling the service manager of a clunk he was hearing, after he was done I asked a couple of questions and told him it was the damm struts. The sure signs are if you only hear it when going over small bumps and when it gets real bad, you'll hear it almost every time.

Right now, beside my third gear nick, is that I hear a squeak coming from the rear when I go over rough bumps. Sounds af it it's coming from the trunk or the wing. I took it to the dealer, guess what, they can't replicate it, the same as they can't replicate the damm third gear nick. BS.

[jsmsustudent]

Originally Posted by wjc04wrx

Right now, beside my third gear nick, is that I hear a squeak coming from the rear when I go over rough bumps. Sounds af it it's coming from the trunk or the wing. I took it to the dealer, guess what, they can't replicate it, the same as they can't replicate the damm third gear nick. BS.

I have the same squeaking. it sounds like my back glass or wing.

[IceWilly]

I know the squeak you are talking about, for a while i thought it was the glass flexing because of the cold but i'm not convinced.

In terms of the clunking... I have also read a lot about it. I hear clunks sometimes but honestly I thought alot of this could be fixed by the TiC klunk killer bushings. I am days from installing RCE springs and obviously this suspension adjust will probably void my suspension warranty (truth?) I may pop it into the shop and have them look at the struts and tops for good measure before I do so... pardon my ignorance but is there a charge for something like this assuming they find nothing but that area is still under warranty?

edit: just called sub stamford, doesn't appear i will be charged for them to look at it but you never know.