Rear Strut Clunk Log - Page 5

Xman · 02-14-2005, 07:29 AM

Nick, I think when you are harder on the suspension it keeps the outer strut tube better lubricated since it travels through a longer stroke than struts that are used for long periods in a short travel range. More lubrication = less clunk IMO. I think that those with only an audible clunk and no performance loss just need to use their car as it was intended more often

This is the last post I will make on this "problem". The paranoia has lasted long enough.

**Digitalfiend** · 02-14-2005, 07:55 AM

I'm curious, how can a clunking strut (or two) not eventually lead to a performance loss or malfunction?

Xman · 02-14-2005, 08:35 AM

my theory (because I can't present absolute proof but i do have input from some suspension experts on teh subject) is that the outer tube of the strut which acts as a structural stabilizer in the inverted design, suffers from inadequate lubrication at times which results in some "clunking" of the outer tube against the inner tube at low speeds. this in no way effects damping.

yes, my suspension is worked quite regularly

with no clunks. I went through a period of about 6 weeks of very easy driving at which I thought I had a clunk. I tightened the endlinks, it didn't go away, so I swapped in rally car takeoff struts and no clunk. When I put the original struts back on the clunk was gone. Now the car is driven properly and no sign of a clunk.

Hopefully more data will presented one way or the other and the "my struts are clunking they are junk and Subaru sucks" conversations will subside and we can actually compare data to determine what is actually happening.

I agree with Nhluhr. I have not heard of any seized or leaking USDM STi struts. I can access a shock dyno to test a "clunker" vs a quiet strut for performance differences, but it would cost about $200. it's not worth $200 to present data proving the clunk is not a problem because the people who voice their complaints the loudest would likely not belive the data anyway.

***Datadatum*** · 02-14-2005, 04:32 PM

Service department said they would need the car longer. Evidently, they ordered another part (air-express). I didn't call back early enough to find out what they ordered. All I know is that they said to keep the rental...

Rev · 02-14-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datadatum

Dropped the STi off at the dealer this morning for the left-rear strut and mount to be replaced. They are going to warranty the work, and gave me a rental car (some coach-like Chrysler) for the day.

The strut makes all sorts of noise at low speed now.

Did you hear my clunks the other day Joe?

Does yours sound worse than mine?

***Datadatum*** · 02-14-2005, 06:00 PM

They are a little different. But mine sounds much worse. Yours doesn't rattle.

My left rear strut literally sounds like the wheel is going to fall off under the following condition:
- brake sharply from >50 to ~5 mph
- drive at ~5mph

clunk clunk clunk clunkity clunk

It makes similar sounds as yours under other conditions. A clunk here, there, wherever.

***Datadatum*** · 02-15-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datadatum

Service department said they would need the car longer. Evidently, they ordered another part (air-express). I didn't call back early enough to find out what they ordered. All I know is that they said to keep the rental...

Service said they needed another day when the part didn't come in as scheduled.

Still in the Stratus rental. What a POS.

***Datadatum*** · 02-16-2005, 04:46 PM

Service is keeping the vehicle yet another day.

Starting to hate the Stratus.

STilinMR2Sue · 02-17-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xman

Hopefully more data will presented one way or the other and the "my struts are clunking they are junk and Subaru sucks" conversations will subside and we can actually compare data to determine what is actually happening.

I agree with Nhluhr. I have not heard of any seized or leaking USDM STi struts. I can access a shock dyno to test a "clunker" vs a quiet strut for performance differences, but it would cost about $200. it's not worth $200 to present data proving the clunk is not a problem because the people who voice their complaints the loudest would likely not belive the data anyway.

Xman, I think you're being a little harsh in your judgement of people just because they are adding their experiences to this thread. My biggest complaint was the complete lack of knowledge on the dealership's part. This is obviously not an isolated case and they should have known something about it, but in no way does that mean I think "Subaru sucks". By the way, I Autocross my car regularly and I still got the clunk.

Sue

Rev · 02-17-2005, 01:08 PM

Maybe, for the benefit of all of us ... we can pitch in $5 each for Xman do the the analysis or something ...

rmo55c · 02-17-2005, 01:29 PM

Data... thats a good point and thats what I wanted to do except that my retarded ass threw away the old end links. So I decided to do something else... I disconnected both of the perrin rear endlinks and drove the car "without" a swaybar. Funniest thing happened... it still clunked - for about 10 miles. On the way to the dealer to show them that it was still clunking even without the aftermarket parts installed, the clunking stopped. The clunking has not returned up to this point but I have not reinstalled the swaybar links yet.

What I'm thinking... definitely the strut because it still 'clunked' for awhile after I took off the swaybar. But is the swaybar causing some sort of pressure or something in the strut that the strut can't handle? That doesn't seem to make since but I don't know what it would be...

***Datadatum*** · 02-18-2005, 03:11 AM

Finally got the car back yesterday evening.

Service Manager: We are very sorry about the delay. The problem is believed to be a manufacturing defect in the strut. We are not sure what the root cause of the defect is, but a new strut should fix the problem. This is the first such occurrence that we have ever seen at this dealer.

Anyway, I wasn't about to point him to the NASIOC thread again...

The clunk is gone, and the car feels soooo good after driving the stratus around for 4 days. Wow, it feels great. I repeated multiple "clunk" maneuvers, and was not able to make it come back.

Bottom line: part defect, fixed by warranty replacement.

Sideoiler · 02-18-2005, 06:09 AM

Good to hear you got the problem fixed. Much quieter now isn't it. Did they replace both or just the noisy one. I'd assume you're not in the market for a Stratus. :roll:

Jeff

**Digitalfiend** · 02-18-2005, 10:57 AM

What's interesting is that when I was having my DCCD module replaced and was talking to the service manager, I asked him if he saw a lot of these things in the shop. He said, not really but we've had about three or four 04s come in to have the struts replaced. He definitely made it sound like they knew of the problem.

Bluesmaster · 02-18-2005, 01:28 PM

It wasn't the cheapest fix but it solved my klunking problem for good. Cusco coilovers. Unfortunately, I really preferred the ride from the stock struts/pinks/groupN tops. But, I didn't want to keep dealing with replacement struts and noise. It will be much better once I get them broken in and it gets warmer! The coilovers will sure help at the road course this summer.

02-14-2005, 07:29 AM	#61
Xman S204 Racer Car: 2004 STi Fav Mod: Momo fixed back seat, harness bar and Willans 6 point harness Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, C Posts: 2,827 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (3)	Nick, I think when you are harder on the suspension it keeps the outer strut tube better lubricated since it travels through a longer stroke than struts that are used for long periods in a short travel range. More lubrication = less clunk IMO. I think that those with only an audible clunk and no performance loss just need to use their car as it was intended more often This is the last post I will make on this "problem". The paranoia has lasted long enough. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-14-2005, 07:55 AM	#62
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,062 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	AP 2/93 dyno number results/questions I'm curious, how can a clunking strut (or two) not eventually lead to a performance loss or malfunction?

02-14-2005, 08:35 AM	#63
Xman S204 Racer Car: 2004 STi Fav Mod: Momo fixed back seat, harness bar and Willans 6 point harness Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, C Posts: 2,827 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: could not pull away from a g35 cpe 6mt. my theory (because I can't present absolute proof but i do have input from some suspension experts on teh subject) is that the outer tube of the strut which acts as a structural stabilizer in the inverted design, suffers from inadequate lubrication at times which results in some "clunking" of the outer tube against the inner tube at low speeds. this in no way effects damping. yes, my suspension is worked quite regularly with no clunks. I went through a period of about 6 weeks of very easy driving at which I thought I had a clunk. I tightened the endlinks, it didn't go away, so I swapped in rally car takeoff struts and no clunk. When I put the original struts back on the clunk was gone. Now the car is driven properly and no sign of a clunk. Hopefully more data will presented one way or the other and the "my struts are clunking they are junk and Subaru sucks" conversations will subside and we can actually compare data to determine what is actually happening. I agree with Nhluhr. I have not heard of any seized or leaking USDM STi struts. I can access a shock dyno to test a "clunker" vs a quiet strut for performance differences, but it would cost about $200. it's not worth $200 to present data proving the clunk is not a problem because the people who voice their complaints the loudest would likely not belive the data anyway.

02-16-2005, 04:46 PM	#68
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,347 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Perrin Pulley...is it worth it? Service is keeping the vehicle yet another day. Starting to hate the Stratus.

02-17-2005, 01:29 PM	#71
rmo55c Professional STI Racer Car: 05 WRB STi Fav Mod: I Heart Boobs Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 831 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	XX Tuning - The DealMaster is back! Data... thats a good point and thats what I wanted to do except that my retarded ass threw away the old end links. So I decided to do something else... I disconnected both of the perrin rear endlinks and drove the car "without" a swaybar. Funniest thing happened... it still clunked - for about 10 miles. On the way to the dealer to show them that it was still clunking even without the aftermarket parts installed, the clunking stopped. The clunking has not returned up to this point but I have not reinstalled the swaybar links yet. What I'm thinking... definitely the strut because it still 'clunked' for awhile after I took off the swaybar. But is the swaybar causing some sort of pressure or something in the strut that the strut can't handle? That doesn't seem to make since but I don't know what it would be...

02-14-2005, 04:32 PM	#64
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,347 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Service department said they would need the car longer. Evidently, they ordered another part (air-express). I didn't call back early enough to find out what they ordered. All I know is that they said to keep the rental...

02-14-2005, 06:00 PM	#66
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,347 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	They are a little different. But mine sounds much worse. Yours doesn't rattle. My left rear strut literally sounds like the wheel is going to fall off under the following condition: - brake sharply from >50 to ~5 mph - drive at ~5mph clunk clunk clunk clunkity clunk It makes similar sounds as yours under other conditions. A clunk here, there, wherever.

02-17-2005, 01:08 PM	#70
Rev STI Guru Car: 06 V70R Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 5,544 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Maybe, for the benefit of all of us ... we can pitch in $5 each for Xman do the the analysis or something ...

02-18-2005, 03:11 AM	#72
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,347 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	RE: Re: RE: Weigh In! Finally got the car back yesterday evening. Service Manager: We are very sorry about the delay. The problem is believed to be a manufacturing defect in the strut. We are not sure what the root cause of the defect is, but a new strut should fix the problem. This is the first such occurrence that we have ever seen at this dealer. Anyway, I wasn't about to point him to the NASIOC thread again... The clunk is gone, and the car feels soooo good after driving the stratus around for 4 days. Wow, it feels great. I repeated multiple "clunk" maneuvers, and was not able to make it come back. Bottom line: part defect, fixed by warranty replacement.

02-18-2005, 06:09 AM	#73
Sideoiler Spec C Club Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 1,463 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	RE: not driving for a year Good to hear you got the problem fixed. Much quieter now isn't it. Did they replace both or just the noisy one. I'd assume you're not in the market for a Stratus. :roll: Jeff

02-18-2005, 10:57 AM	#74
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,062 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	GT SPEC New Release Rear T-Brace For GC8 / GDA / GDBC What's interesting is that when I was having my DCCD module replaced and was talking to the service manager, I asked him if he saw a lot of these things in the shop. He said, not really but we've had about three or four 04s come in to have the struts replaced. He definitely made it sound like they knew of the problem.

02-18-2005, 01:28 PM	#75
Bluesmaster Junior STI Driver Car: 06 Porsche Cayman S Location: Central Ohio Posts: 194 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	RE: Check out the new APS FMIC! It wasn't the cheapest fix but it solved my klunking problem for good. Cusco coilovers. Unfortunately, I really preferred the ride from the stock struts/pinks/groupN tops. But, I didn't want to keep dealing with replacement struts and noise. It will be much better once I get them broken in and it gets warmer! The coilovers will sure help at the road course this summer. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.