Rear Strut Clunk Log - Page 31

AZSTI · 04-20-2006, 08:03 PM

Well I had tried the lithium grease for a while but the clunking just kept coming back. A week ago I took it into Camelback Subaru and had to demonstrate the clunk to the service rep by opening the rear door, stepping on the inside of the door and jumping. Once I did that he could hear it. It just so happened that the technician was watching as I was stupidly bouncing the rear end and knew exactly what the problem was. They ordered 2 new rear struts and they were installed today and everything is nice and quite... so far.... I expect it to come back unless by some act of god I got lucky with this pair.

allwheelsdriven · 05-08-2006, 03:11 PM

Well I had my first STi rear strut done at 24k, replaced under warranty with the dreaded strut clunk. Even with jdm pink springs and tops. I just passed 37k miles and the right rear starts clunking. I went in and asked if they would cover it and they did, and they are going to redo the left one as well as its a little noisy. They have been very good to me. I also have PFF7s on too.

Cpl. Hicks · 05-08-2006, 06:01 PM

I thought it was the hotchkis RSBs I installed but they are tight. Now I read this and sh*t. less then 6500 miles on the car and this happens. I was going to install the K&W varient 3 coil-overs but Vivid sent the wrong ones. I'm still fighting over that. I guess I'll have to have the dealer replace them untill Vivid comes thru for me.

SubieNewbie · 05-25-2006, 04:50 PM

Could this be my problem as well?
I just hit 6k in my 06 and i just noticed a strange, popping/clunking noise in 1st while searching for a parking. Sorta sounds like a bunch of empty bottles rolling around in my trunk.

I thought that it was just the roads, but It turned out not to be.
I only hear the noise in 1st and 2nd, and while accellerating from a slight stop.

Whats weird is that when I parked and played with the wheel, I heard the same noise from the rear left. It went away after a few turns, but I let the car roll back, pulled the ebrake once again, played with the wheel, and the noise was there again.

What the hell could it be? I have an appointment with the dealer this Saturday.

mx270a · 05-31-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubieNewbie

Could this be my problem as well?
I just hit 6k in my 06 and i just noticed a strange, popping/clunking noise in 1st while searching for a parking. Sorta sounds like a bunch of empty bottles rolling around in my trunk.

I have the same deal with my '06 at 15K miles. It seems to be the left rear. It is easy to reproduce when jumping on the door jamb of the rear drivers side door.

What did you find out at the dealer?

Since this rear strut issue has been around since the 04s came out, I find it hard to believe that we would have the same issue on the 06s.

-Lance

SubieNewbie · 05-31-2006, 09:37 PM

Sorry not to update sooner but, I figured out and fixed my problem. Whew!

So I was washing my car last weekend the day before my apt with the dealer and when it came time for me to check my tires my pressure gauge read 19PSI on the rear right!! My first thought was a nail and after filling the tire with air my assumption was correct.
I canceled the apt and got the tire fixed instead. Magically, no more noise! Thank goodness.

I had a feeling the noise was diff related. I only rolled around with the noise for a day so I hope there was no diff damage?

Maybe check your tire pressures? Iam glad I can say that it was a simple fix for me and Iam hoping it can be the same for everyone else.

Good luck! Maybe we should start an 06 noise thread.

**jsh139** · 06-01-2006, 12:10 PM

I think I may have finally gotten the infamous rear strut clunk. It hasn't happened often enough to pinpoint exactly what's happening. But, it seems that when I come to a somewhat fast stop, and the suspension settles a bit, I get a nice clunk sound. Sound about right?

It also happened the other day during some corner carving. There was an undulation in the road, and I heard a nice *bang* from the rear of the car as the suspension compressed. At first I thought it might have been my tire rubbing, but I'm all stock suspension/tire-wise.

kb2spn · 06-01-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubieNewbie

Sorry not to update sooner but, I figured out and fixed my problem. Whew!

So I was washing my car last weekend the day before my apt with the dealer and when it came time for me to check my tires my pressure gauge read 19PSI on the rear right!! My first thought was a nail and after filling the tire with air my assumption was correct.
I canceled the apt and got the tire fixed instead. Magically, no more noise! Thank goodness.

I had a feeling the noise was diff related. I only rolled around with the noise for a day so I hope there was no diff damage?

Maybe check your tire pressures? Iam glad I can say that it was a simple fix for me and Iam hoping it can be the same for everyone else.

Good luck! Maybe we should start an 06 noise thread.

The noise went away because you raise the car,if it was the struts it will return.

SubieNewbie · 06-02-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb2spn

The noise went away because you raise the car,if it was the struts it will return.

If it was the sturts then it should have returned but it didnt. Ive driven to Portland and back this week which is approx 600 plus miles and no more noise. Iam pretty sure it was the Diff since I had 19PSI in one tire and 30PSI in the other.

srt2sti · 06-03-2006, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubieNewbie

If it was the sturts then it should have returned but it didnt. Ive driven to Portland and back this week which is approx 600 plus miles and no more noise. Iam pretty sure it was the Diff since I had 19PSI in one tire and 30PSI in the other.

It will return. Trust me. I am still going through bs getting mine replaced.

18k plus miles

SubieNewbie · 06-04-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srt2sti

It will return. Trust me. I am still going through bs getting mine replaced.

18k plus miles

Please read my first post. I never confirmed the noise. Ive driven the car all week and no noise. The noise was very noticable when it was present.

Good luck with your problem, thanks for the postive? feedback as well.

aznboi320 · 06-04-2006, 09:43 PM

i'm going to the dealership to check mine out tomorrow

LoveMySTI · 06-08-2006, 05:02 PM

I have spent HOURS on this thread, and I am still not sure if the struts are my problem. I bought my car used with approx. 6000 miles on it. When I first got it, I was drooling so much, I do not recall hearing "the clunk." But as time went by, I noticed on rough surfaces (here in jokelahoma we must have the WORST roads) there was a definite clunking sound. However, it does not appear to manifest itself in the same way several other people have described it. In fact, before reading this thread, I thought it had something to do with the rear spoiler rattling. First, it does not appear to happen upon rapid acceleration or deceleration. Second, it happens even at highway speeds (several people describe it as a low speed phenomenon). Also, I have tried the lubrication fix described earlier in this thread, but I have some questions about the process. The instructions say to remove the wheels and do all of the work to the lower part of the struts. Well, are the struts not inverted? The piston (silver part) is on top, correct? If I am lubricating the correct part, it would be the upper half if I am not mistaken. Additionally, if this is the correct part, I have no trouble accessing it with the wheels still on the car, as long as I have it raised. I did the "lube fix" once, but did not apply a significant amount of grease. I have not driven it very much(especially on rough roads), but I have not heard the noise. I just did "the fix" again, and slapped tons of grease on the upper, or silver part of the rear struts. I also took a socket or wrench to every nut and bolt on every rear suspension component and they were ALL tight. After posting this, I will go try to recreate "the noise." I have not brought it up to the dealer yet, but I think I may at my next service visit. Any thoughts?

LoveMySTI · 06-09-2006, 06:38 AM

UPDATE: After doing the fix and driving on some rough roads near my house, I can still hear the clunk, but it does not seem to be as loud. I may try to do "the fix" again with even more grease. Does anyone have a special technique for applying the grease? I have been just holding the plastic accordian boot up with one hand, while just slopping grease all over the silver part with the other hand. I do try to apply more right around the point the piston enters the lower part of the strut.

skeeler · 06-10-2006, 10:36 PM

I can duplicate the clunk by pushing down on the front corners and the clunk is identical to that of the rears.

I will be going to the dealer on Monday.

04-20-2006, 08:03 PM	#451
AZSTI Amateur STI Driver Car: Driving Fav Mod: System Admin Location: Mesa Posts: 18 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Got mine replaced today Well I had tried the lithium grease for a while but the clunking just kept coming back. A week ago I took it into Camelback Subaru and had to demonstrate the clunk to the service rep by opening the rear door, stepping on the inside of the door and jumping. Once I did that he could hear it. It just so happened that the technician was watching as I was stupidly bouncing the rear end and knew exactly what the problem was. They ordered 2 new rear struts and they were installed today and everything is nice and quite... so far.... I expect it to come back unless by some act of god I got lucky with this pair. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

05-08-2006, 06:01 PM	#453
Cpl. Hicks Amateur STI Driver Car: 06 WRX STi Location: College Station, TX Posts: 10 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	The clunk started I thought it was the hotchkis RSBs I installed but they are tight. Now I read this and sh*t. less then 6500 miles on the car and this happens. I was going to install the K&W varient 3 coil-overs but Vivid sent the wrong ones. I'm still fighting over that. I guess I'll have to have the dealer replace them untill Vivid comes thru for me.

06-01-2006, 12:10 PM	#457
jsh139 How YOU Doin? Car: 2006 Audi S4 Fav Mod: OMGHI2U! Location: Philly 'burbs Posts: 7,718 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	Can I join the club? I think I may have finally gotten the infamous rear strut clunk. It hasn't happened often enough to pinpoint exactly what's happening. But, it seems that when I come to a somewhat fast stop, and the suspension settles a bit, I get a nice clunk sound. Sound about right? It also happened the other day during some corner carving. There was an undulation in the road, and I heard a nice bang from the rear of the car as the suspension compressed. At first I thought it might have been my tire rubbing, but I'm all stock suspension/tire-wise.

06-10-2006, 10:36 PM	#465
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)	Both Front Struts have serious clunk I can duplicate the clunk by pushing down on the front corners and the clunk is identical to that of the rears. I will be going to the dealer on Monday. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

05-08-2006, 03:11 PM	#452
allwheelsdriven Spec C Club Car: 04 WRB STi Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,156 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Well I had my first STi rear strut done at 24k, replaced under warranty with the dreaded strut clunk. Even with jdm pink springs and tops. I just passed 37k miles and the right rear starts clunking. I went in and asked if they would cover it and they did, and they are going to redo the left one as well as its a little noisy. They have been very good to me. I also have PFF7s on too.

05-25-2006, 04:50 PM	#454
SubieNewbie Grassroots STI Racer Location: Dub Posts: 497 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Could this be my problem as well? I just hit 6k in my 06 and i just noticed a strange, popping/clunking noise in 1st while searching for a parking. Sorta sounds like a bunch of empty bottles rolling around in my trunk. I thought that it was just the roads, but It turned out not to be. I only hear the noise in 1st and 2nd, and while accellerating from a slight stop. Whats weird is that when I parked and played with the wheel, I heard the same noise from the rear left. It went away after a few turns, but I let the car roll back, pulled the ebrake once again, played with the wheel, and the noise was there again. What the hell could it be? I have an appointment with the dealer this Saturday.

05-31-2006, 09:37 PM	#456
SubieNewbie Grassroots STI Racer Location: Dub Posts: 497 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Sorry not to update sooner but, I figured out and fixed my problem. Whew! So I was washing my car last weekend the day before my apt with the dealer and when it came time for me to check my tires my pressure gauge read 19PSI on the rear right!! My first thought was a nail and after filling the tire with air my assumption was correct. I canceled the apt and got the tire fixed instead. Magically, no more noise! Thank goodness. I had a feeling the noise was diff related. I only rolled around with the noise for a day so I hope there was no diff damage? Maybe check your tire pressures? Iam glad I can say that it was a simple fix for me and Iam hoping it can be the same for everyone else. Good luck! Maybe we should start an 06 noise thread.

06-04-2006, 09:43 PM	#462
aznboi320 Senior STI Driver Car: Steel Grey 06 STI Fav Mod: Stage 2 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 359 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	i'm going to the dealership to check mine out tomorrow

06-08-2006, 05:02 PM	#463
LoveMySTI Junior STI Driver Car: 05 STI Fav Mod: None YET Location: OKC (Misplaced Texan) Posts: 58 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I have spent HOURS on this thread, and I am still not sure if the struts are my problem. I bought my car used with approx. 6000 miles on it. When I first got it, I was drooling so much, I do not recall hearing "the clunk." But as time went by, I noticed on rough surfaces (here in jokelahoma we must have the WORST roads) there was a definite clunking sound. However, it does not appear to manifest itself in the same way several other people have described it. In fact, before reading this thread, I thought it had something to do with the rear spoiler rattling. First, it does not appear to happen upon rapid acceleration or deceleration. Second, it happens even at highway speeds (several people describe it as a low speed phenomenon). Also, I have tried the lubrication fix described earlier in this thread, but I have some questions about the process. The instructions say to remove the wheels and do all of the work to the lower part of the struts. Well, are the struts not inverted? The piston (silver part) is on top, correct? If I am lubricating the correct part, it would be the upper half if I am not mistaken. Additionally, if this is the correct part, I have no trouble accessing it with the wheels still on the car, as long as I have it raised. I did the "lube fix" once, but did not apply a significant amount of grease. I have not driven it very much(especially on rough roads), but I have not heard the noise. I just did "the fix" again, and slapped tons of grease on the upper, or silver part of the rear struts. I also took a socket or wrench to every nut and bolt on every rear suspension component and they were ALL tight. After posting this, I will go try to recreate "the noise." I have not brought it up to the dealer yet, but I think I may at my next service visit. Any thoughts?

06-09-2006, 06:38 AM	#464
LoveMySTI Junior STI Driver Car: 05 STI Fav Mod: None YET Location: OKC (Misplaced Texan) Posts: 58 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	UPDATE: After doing the fix and driving on some rough roads near my house, I can still hear the clunk, but it does not seem to be as loud. I may try to do "the fix" again with even more grease. Does anyone have a special technique for applying the grease? I have been just holding the plastic accordian boot up with one hand, while just slopping grease all over the silver part with the other hand. I do try to apply more right around the point the piston enters the lower part of the strut.