Rear Strut Clunk Log - Page 17

Busta · 09-30-2005, 04:26 PM

This is my take on the whole CLUNK issue. I bought the STi as an all out Rally Car with the thought that it would be unforgiving and the anti-M3 but would offer engineering designed with only performance in mind.

However over my 2.5 years with the car a number of concerns have become utterly apparent:

1. seats: made for fat americans, very not performance oriented
2. suspension set up by kindergarteners with body roll on turns that gives entry level korean cars a run for their money, not to mention the MICRO bounce
3. Numb steering with huge understeer

All of these things add up to a mixed message... Now with an intolerable CLUNK everytime I give someone a ride to show the car off, instead before I pull out of my driveway they're asking what's wrong with your car. Very embarrassing to say the least!!!

The EVO is looking more and more like the Ultimate uncompromised performance machine for the buck.

Basically is the STi intended for 100% all out performance or is it just a poorly designed maching with a great engine? What do you guys think???

Rev · 09-30-2005, 06:11 PM

I love my scooby to death. I lube my struts every month and no clunking.

Suspension woes are cured with a set of pinks and strut tops. Handles like a dream.

Well the seats piss me off a little, I might as well do Recaros ...

Numb steering is cured with the Whiteline steering rack bushings ...

There's solutions to every problem

avengermike · 10-01-2005, 06:46 AM

quick question i seem to here this noise when i take off hard, would it be the same thing?

RiX · 10-01-2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gforced

Mine turned out to be the aftermarket sways popping because they need to be relubed. I thought this was strange because I thought it would be more of a squeak than a pop. The service tech knew exactly what it was when he heard it because he said he had a few of these come in and they all had COBB sways. Just thought I would throw this out as a possibility for some of you guys. He also said the strut noise is pretty constant, not random.

Which part did you have to relube? The mount? The links?

ValvetrainEngineer · 10-01-2005, 05:37 PM

just lubed my rear struts with Mobil 1 5W-30 (all I had laying around)...clunk gone! If this (or better grease) does the trick for 4-6 months, I'm cool with that...

RiX · 10-01-2005, 07:45 PM

Valve, What did you do? Just rub on some engine oil on the valve / shaft? Using fingers through the springs??

jays05 · 10-03-2005, 07:17 AM

My "strut clunk" is fixed! Over the weekend I swapped my Blitz NUR Spec catback for a Borla Hush. We found a broken exhaust hanger on the old exhaust. From reading various threads about the strut clunk I was sure it wasn't the exhaust... but what do you know, the dealer was right. I have 20k miles on the car and my struts are fine!

ValvetrainEngineer · 10-03-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiX

Valve, What did you do? Just rub on some engine oil on the valve / shaft? Using fingers through the springs??

Basically...just lifted the rear so wheel is at full extension, lifted up the plastic sleeve covering the strut (screwdriver through the spring), applied a 'ring' of 5W-30 around the rod using an extra long q-tip (not sure where those were added to my collection, but finally useful!). I've heard that lithium grease is better but this is all I had. Now to see how long it lasts. All I know is that silence is golden

.

I too wondered if it was a sway bar, exhaust, etc. Nope, after the lube job clunk is gone, source confirmed.

RiX · 10-03-2005, 06:39 PM

Valve,

Thanks for the tip.

While waiting for your response, I lubed my swaybar links and mounts, and that stopped the clunking noise for me. (Good riddance...!) Next time I hear any more noise, I shall follow your instruction with lithium grease.

RiX

CoronaSTI · 10-07-2005, 08:56 AM

Tokk my car to the dealership last month for the noise and they replaced the pass rear strut under warranty. the noise went away for a day now the drivers rear has the noise BAD it is so bad I feel embarrased taking passengers in it. It has gotten so bad. At speed the whole drivers side vibrated bad.

Rev · 10-07-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValvetrainEngineer

just lubed my rear struts with Mobil 1 5W-30 (all I had laying around)...clunk gone! If this (or better grease) does the trick for 4-6 months, I'm cool with that...

Nice...

I myself have been using Mobil 1 synthetic grease, works like a charm.

No clunking since the last time I lubed them, like a month ago...

Let's see how the grease holds up in winter.

suresh · 10-17-2005, 12:18 PM

Just thought i'd chime in. Had my left rear replaced at 8K miles (only one side) and now the right is clunking at 22K miles. Dealer replacing the right side under warranty. No questions asked. They've already done a bunch.

2fas4u · 10-17-2005, 04:09 PM

Well I thought it was my Hotchkiss Sways but I hate to say I think it is my struts.... I have only 2K on the car and my Right rear is making tons of noise...Not sure I am going stock Suby now.. Might wait and go aftermarket shocks or coil overs...

***Datadatum*** · 10-17-2005, 04:24 PM

2fas4u - put your stock rear sway back on and get that strut replaced. Get your $ worth regarding the warranty.

***VSGTS14*** · 10-17-2005, 04:58 PM

i believe i have joined the club..sounds like my left one *was* doing it, but recently stopped
i couldn't figure out what was broken, i thought it was my sways also, but everything was as tight as can be and perfect...and i had nothing else to make such a noise...

09-30-2005, 04:26 PM	#241
Busta Junior STI Driver Car: STi 04' black Posts: 92 Join Date: Nov 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	This is my take on the whole CLUNK issue. I bought the STi as an all out Rally Car with the thought that it would be unforgiving and the anti-M3 but would offer engineering designed with only performance in mind. However over my 2.5 years with the car a number of concerns have become utterly apparent: 1. seats: made for fat americans, very not performance oriented 2. suspension set up by kindergarteners with body roll on turns that gives entry level korean cars a run for their money, not to mention the MICRO bounce 3. Numb steering with huge understeer All of these things add up to a mixed message... Now with an intolerable CLUNK everytime I give someone a ride to show the car off, instead before I pull out of my driveway they're asking what's wrong with your car. Very embarrassing to say the least!!! The EVO is looking more and more like the Ultimate uncompromised performance machine for the buck. Basically is the STi intended for 100% all out performance or is it just a poorly designed maching with a great engine? What do you guys think??? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

10-17-2005, 04:58 PM	#255
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,984 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	i believe i have joined the club..sounds like my left one was doing it, but recently stopped i couldn't figure out what was broken, i thought it was my sways also, but everything was as tight as can be and perfect...and i had nothing else to make such a noise... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

09-30-2005, 06:11 PM	#242
Rev STI Guru Car: 06 V70R Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 5,544 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I love my scooby to death. I lube my struts every month and no clunking. Suspension woes are cured with a set of pinks and strut tops. Handles like a dream. Well the seats piss me off a little, I might as well do Recaros ... Numb steering is cured with the Whiteline steering rack bushings ... There's solutions to every problem

10-01-2005, 06:46 AM	#243
avengermike Lurker Car: 01 Subaru WRX STi Spec C Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 7 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	quick question i seem to here this noise when i take off hard, would it be the same thing?

10-01-2005, 05:37 PM	#245
ValvetrainEngineer Spec C Club Car: '04 WRB Fav Mod: A working ECU... Location: CT Posts: 1,486 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (7)	just lubed my rear struts with Mobil 1 5W-30 (all I had laying around)...clunk gone! If this (or better grease) does the trick for 4-6 months, I'm cool with that...

10-01-2005, 07:45 PM	#246
RiX Professional STI Driver Car: Driving Fav Mod: Driving school... GT35R :) Location: In my STi Posts: 455 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Valve, What did you do? Just rub on some engine oil on the valve / shaft? Using fingers through the springs??

10-03-2005, 07:17 AM	#247
jays05 Spec C Club Car: Blue 05 STI Fav Mod: Synapse FMIC Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,711 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	My "strut clunk" is fixed! Over the weekend I swapped my Blitz NUR Spec catback for a Borla Hush. We found a broken exhaust hanger on the old exhaust. From reading various threads about the strut clunk I was sure it wasn't the exhaust... but what do you know, the dealer was right. I have 20k miles on the car and my struts are fine!

10-03-2005, 06:39 PM	#249
RiX Professional STI Driver Car: Driving Fav Mod: Driving school... GT35R :) Location: In my STi Posts: 455 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Valve, Thanks for the tip. While waiting for your response, I lubed my swaybar links and mounts, and that stopped the clunking noise for me. (Good riddance...!) Next time I hear any more noise, I shall follow your instruction with lithium grease. RiX

10-07-2005, 08:56 AM	#250
CoronaSTI Junior STI Driver Car: 2005 WRX STI PLATINUM SILVER Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: Corona, CA Posts: 53 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Tokk my car to the dealership last month for the noise and they replaced the pass rear strut under warranty. the noise went away for a day now the drivers rear has the noise BAD it is so bad I feel embarrased taking passengers in it. It has gotten so bad. At speed the whole drivers side vibrated bad.

10-17-2005, 12:18 PM	#252
suresh Lurker Posts: 6 Join Date: Nov 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Just thought i'd chime in. Had my left rear replaced at 8K miles (only one side) and now the right is clunking at 22K miles. Dealer replacing the right side under warranty. No questions asked. They've already done a bunch.

10-17-2005, 04:09 PM	#253
2fas4u Silver Member Car: 05 STI Location: Manchester, Maryland Posts: 1,871 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (3)	Well I thought it was my Hotchkiss Sways but I hate to say I think it is my struts.... I have only 2K on the car and my Right rear is making tons of noise...Not sure I am going stock Suby now.. Might wait and go aftermarket shocks or coil overs...

10-17-2005, 04:24 PM	#254
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,705 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	2fas4u - put your stock rear sway back on and get that strut replaced. Get your $ worth regarding the warranty.