Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair?

***MikeO*** · 03-04-2008, 05:41 PM

Hey all,
So i've decided to take my car in for a full service before i leave on vacation for spring break. It is much over due as all i have changed since the cross country drive was my oil.

On top of that, i have a lot of strut knock going on from both my rear struts and i was thinking to myself yesterday "why not have subaru fix the problem for me while it's in the shop for a service."

With that thought also came questions of A. Does my warranty (that i think i still have for another 2-3 months) cover that problem. and B. If not, how much would it cost for them to fix (and would it be a long term fix)?

If anyone has a "simple" answer to my question that would be awesome.

Essentially i am just weighing if it is worth my money to have Subaru fix it versus just jacking up the car and spending a few hours cleaning and greasing them (i found a DIY thread on here by someone a bit ago).

Thanks for any and all info guys!

CGMDan · 03-04-2008, 07:16 PM

If your under the 3yr/36k mi mark then yes it is covered.

nhat · 03-04-2008, 07:19 PM

mine was covered under the extended warranty.

***MikeO*** · 03-04-2008, 07:27 PM

Yeah i only have 27k miles, but the car is going on 3 years of purchase now. I'm not sure how much time i have left... guess i need to figure that out.

Anyone know how much it might cost me to have them replaced if not through the warranty?

**Parker** · 03-04-2008, 07:46 PM

probably an arm and a leg...one rear taillight is $175 if that gives you an idea of their markup.

***MikeO*** · 03-04-2008, 10:06 PM

well that is unacceptable, guess if i'm off my warranty i'll be doing it myself.

skeeler · 03-05-2008, 12:34 AM

I have an '04. I have had all four struts replaced under warranty and just got the car back to the dealership for having the rear struts replaced again. I believe this is the sixth replacement of both rear struts and only twice for the fronts. The fronts are also shot and since the dealership is not finding a failure from having their techs look at it, I will be communicating with SOA. Bottom line, if it is failure, it is in your best interest to take it up with your local/preferred dealership. At least if it is still under warranty when you take it there and they decline the claim, you can come back a little bit later with a legitimate complaint and will likely have your replacement.

Depending on your warranty/extended warranty, you may be subject to a deductible. But having a pair of struts replaced at no cost is a savings of almost $600 or more.

***MikeO*** · 03-05-2008, 11:33 AM

Thanks Skeeler. I'll be happy if i can get the rears replaced for now. Although last night in the cold the fronts sounded like they were "creaking" which kind of scared me a bit. They might just have a lot of dirt/dust in them though... i know they creaked after a few occasions of dirt fun and went away after i sprayed the wheel wells.

Blackfang · 03-05-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeO

Yeah i only have 27k miles, but the car is going on 3 years of purchase now. I'm not sure how much time i have left... guess i need to figure that out.

Anyone know how much it might cost me to have them replaced if not through the warranty?

PM me your last 8 of your vin and I can find out for ya.

If it is within 3/36k they will fix it. If not and you do not have an SAS plan, you may be out of luck.

***MikeO*** · 03-05-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackfang

PM me your last 8 of your vin and I can find out for ya.

If it is within 3/36k they will fix it. If not and you do not have an SAS plan, you may be out of luck.

Thanks for the offer blackfang, i actually just called today to schedule the car for my 30k maintenance and they looked up my VIN and what not. My 3 years expires on May 23rd so i have some time left. They're going to have the service manager look at the struts with my advice of "a strong strut knock in the rear." Hopefully he thinks they are banged up enough to replace them.

This is probably a stupid question to ask... but what are the odds they will just replace them for me instead of go the absolute cheap route? The struts knock 100% consistently every time i drive (that's how bad it has gotten now). I'm assuming it depends on the service guy and the dealership eh....

Guess i'll be finding out in the next two weeks.

EBTurbo · 03-05-2008, 09:50 PM

I think rear struts and mounts cost over a $1000 plus labor which will probably be in the $400-500 range. your best bet for a permanent fix would be replacing the suspension with an after market coil-over. the problem lies in the strut itself. so replacing it will not fix it. and technically the dealer is not allowed to replace them. no matter what warranty you have. if they replace them once they will have to replace them for life if they make the noise again within the parts warranty. and if they replace them a third time you can have them lemon the car.

EB Turbo

Blackfang · 03-06-2008, 03:19 AM

The rear strut mount for both sides should be under 650 unless the dealer is raping you.

Blackfang · 03-06-2008, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeO

Thanks for the offer blackfang, i actually just called today to schedule the car for my 30k maintenance and they looked up my VIN and what not. My 3 years expires on May 23rd so i have some time left. They're going to have the service manager look at the struts with my advice of "a strong strut knock in the rear." Hopefully he thinks they are banged up enough to replace them.

This is probably a stupid question to ask... but what are the odds they will just replace them for me instead of go the absolute cheap route? The struts knock 100% consistently every time i drive (that's how bad it has gotten now). I'm assuming it depends on the service guy and the dealership eh....

Guess i'll be finding out in the next two weeks.

Good to hear.

What is the cheap route? We replace the strut mounts if they are bad.

garamas · 03-06-2008, 03:22 AM

hmm this is weird my 3 year 36k is over

49k orig service date= may 04

but when i took it in the guy at the desk had my car go on a lift and ordered me a new driver rear strut because it was leaking?

are they gonna get me with some hidden charge when i pick the car up he claimed that it was fully covered by my warranty and it would be no cost to me?

is there any way i can get the other shock replaced as well?

Blackfang · 03-06-2008, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garamas

hmm this is weird my 3 year 36k is over

49k orig service date= may 04

but when i took it in the guy at the desk had my car go on a lift and ordered me a new driver rear strut because it was leaking?

are they gonna get me with some hidden charge when i pick the car up he claimed that it was fully covered by my warranty and it would be no cost to me?

is there any way i can get the other shock replaced as well?

Do you have an SAS Gold policy? If not, then that strut is not covered. You are beyond the 3 years or 36,000 miles.

You need to clarify with them how much it is going to cost before you sign that repair order.

03-04-2008, 05:41 PM	#1
*MikeO* Young and restless Car: 2005 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Torque Location: MD/VA (Home)//OR(School) Posts: 529 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? Hey all, So i've decided to take my car in for a full service before i leave on vacation for spring break. It is much over due as all i have changed since the cross country drive was my oil. On top of that, i have a lot of strut knock going on from both my rear struts and i was thinking to myself yesterday "why not have subaru fix the problem for me while it's in the shop for a service." With that thought also came questions of A. Does my warranty (that i think i still have for another 2-3 months) cover that problem. and B. If not, how much would it cost for them to fix (and would it be a long term fix)? If anyone has a "simple" answer to my question that would be awesome. Essentially i am just weighing if it is worth my money to have Subaru fix it versus just jacking up the car and spending a few hours cleaning and greasing them (i found a DIY thread on here by someone a bit ago). Thanks for any and all info guys! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-04-2008, 07:16 PM	#2
CGMDan Spec C Club Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: What's RCE made lately? Location: Beaverton, Or Posts: 1,463 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? If your under the 3yr/36k mi mark then yes it is covered.

03-04-2008, 07:19 PM	#3
nhat Professional STI Driver Car: 04 sti Fav Mod: enginuity tuned Location: NoVA Posts: 417 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? mine was covered under the extended warranty.

03-04-2008, 07:27 PM	#4
*MikeO* Young and restless Car: 2005 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Torque Location: MD/VA (Home)//OR(School) Posts: 529 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? Yeah i only have 27k miles, but the car is going on 3 years of purchase now. I'm not sure how much time i have left... guess i need to figure that out. Anyone know how much it might cost me to have them replaced if not through the warranty? Last edited by MikeO : 03-04-2008 at 07:34 PM.

03-04-2008, 07:46 PM	#5
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 3,275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? probably an arm and a leg...one rear taillight is $175 if that gives you an idea of their markup.

03-04-2008, 10:06 PM	#6
*MikeO* Young and restless Car: 2005 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Torque Location: MD/VA (Home)//OR(School) Posts: 529 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? well that is unacceptable, guess if i'm off my warranty i'll be doing it myself.

03-05-2008, 12:34 AM	#7
skeeler Professional STI Driver Car: '04 WRC Blue Pearl S Fav Mod: Nokian WR's, then RSi's, Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R's Location: Sumas, WA Posts: 419 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? I have an '04. I have had all four struts replaced under warranty and just got the car back to the dealership for having the rear struts replaced again. I believe this is the sixth replacement of both rear struts and only twice for the fronts. The fronts are also shot and since the dealership is not finding a failure from having their techs look at it, I will be communicating with SOA. Bottom line, if it is failure, it is in your best interest to take it up with your local/preferred dealership. At least if it is still under warranty when you take it there and they decline the claim, you can come back a little bit later with a legitimate complaint and will likely have your replacement. Depending on your warranty/extended warranty, you may be subject to a deductible. But having a pair of struts replaced at no cost is a savings of almost $600 or more.

03-05-2008, 11:33 AM	#8
*MikeO* Young and restless Car: 2005 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Torque Location: MD/VA (Home)//OR(School) Posts: 529 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? Thanks Skeeler. I'll be happy if i can get the rears replaced for now. Although last night in the cold the fronts sounded like they were "creaking" which kind of scared me a bit. They might just have a lot of dirt/dust in them though... i know they creaked after a few occasions of dirt fun and went away after i sprayed the wheel wells.

03-05-2008, 09:50 PM	#11
EBTurbo Junior STI Driver Car: White 93 EG8 Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 50 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? I think rear struts and mounts cost over a $1000 plus labor which will probably be in the $400-500 range. your best bet for a permanent fix would be replacing the suspension with an after market coil-over. the problem lies in the strut itself. so replacing it will not fix it. and technically the dealer is not allowed to replace them. no matter what warranty you have. if they replace them once they will have to replace them for life if they make the noise again within the parts warranty. and if they replace them a third time you can have them lemon the car. EB Turbo

03-06-2008, 03:19 AM	#12
Blackfang Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 07 Legacy Location: Somewhere in the universe Posts: 349 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? The rear strut mount for both sides should be under 650 unless the dealer is raping you.

03-06-2008, 03:22 AM	#14
garamas Junior STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 63 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Strut Knock on the 05' -- Subaru Warranty Repair? hmm this is weird my 3 year 36k is over 49k orig service date= may 04 but when i took it in the guy at the desk had my car go on a lift and ordered me a new driver rear strut because it was leaking? are they gonna get me with some hidden charge when i pick the car up he claimed that it was fully covered by my warranty and it would be no cost to me? is there any way i can get the other shock replaced as well?