terzo204

During the warrantly period my 2003 STI had both the rear shocks replaced.

BOTH have developed the same old knocking sound and when Subaru had a look at it BOTH were condemned, AGAIN.

Anyone else had there STI do the same?

Stupidly I assumed that when the replacement shocks were fitted that would be the end of it.

The car is now out of warranty and my only hope is that the claim being made to IM by the local dealer (on my behalf) will be successful. Otherwise I am going to be £750 poorer.

Any advice welcome.

Mike

WRX Blues

This happened to my 53 JDM STi. When I googled the problem last year it appeared that this was common and even replacing didn't solve the problem. In the end I just learnt to live with the noise at least knowing there was nothing 'mechanically' wrong.
This noise and the fact that I commute 120 miles a day eventually saw me part company with the STi for A WRX PPP (05) which I am glad to report Dosen't make the noise. I am sure other owners on here will post there experiences and remedies!

Tidgy

its a known fault with them so they should do it out of warenty if you push hard enough, especialy since you've already had a replacement set.

terzo204

Have you done this Tidgy?

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

What is the sound like? Deffo STI only?

5t.

sKunk

Both rear shocks on my 03 STI went bad. Water got into the units stiffening them which eventually knackered the top mounts. I replaced them with a full set of Tein coilovers which worked out cheaper than rear subaru parts.

My knackered top mounts made a small popping noise when driving at slow and medium speeds.

mgcvk

Yeah its a kind of popping crunching sound. I quite like it now!

rav123

iTrader: (1)

have had the same nasty knocking on my 05 sti as well, getting it sorted soon under warranty

warrtster

iTrader: (5)

Same problem here, mine have already been replaced twice under warranty but Subaru refused to replace them again as the car is too old apparently
(MY03 70k miles)

AER-SCOOBY

I also had the same problem on my 05 WRX. Dealer told me the upgraded them to the same as the STI shocks from 2005.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Hmmmm there is a rattle at the back, just sounds like something loose though. Still have a few months of the proven warrenty left so look like trying it on with local dealer!

5t.

pippyrips

i changed to ASTs to cure the problem, had a useful bi-product of awesome handling afterwards

sKunk

When\if Subaru change your shocks get them to check the top mounts at the same time.

lestippp

My 05 STi PPP is going in on Monday to have all the shockers replaced as rubbing at the front and rear (has only covered 15k in over two years - so how bad are these parts!). Covered under warranty but I have to say that Subaru should be embarrassed to refuse to change these faulty parts regardless of the cars age, it's their design flaw that is causing it

I will be selling my car at the turn of the year because of this known, recurring fault and that's a shame because I love the car.

Have we ever petitioned subaru on this issue or would this be pointless?

Then again having just designed the new Impreza to look like the illegitimate child of every cheap hatchback currently on the road.... what do they care

Tidgy

not personally but i have heard a couple of people have done it.

Tidgy

you can get modified shocks now that solve this.

Scooby Clinic | The UK's Largest Independent Subaru Specialists | 01246 590 807 - Chesterfield S42 6QX

terzo204

There's a glimmer of hope then.

I will get the top mounts checked too

Tidgy

yup,

Varboy

I've had the same problem on an 03 WRX, parts were replaced but it's back again!

It's out of warranty now, so I'm not holding out for much cooperation from Subaru.

That aside, I haven't seen any detrimental effects to the handling so is it worth getting that upset over if the would have to be replaced at your cost??

DCI Gene Hunt

Any details Tidgy, cost, description etc...?

jd5217

phone Powerstation

mgcvk

Bit extreme to sell the car due to the shocks. Subaru replacements don't seem to solve the problem but fitting AST's or similar aftermarket options would cure the problem and be cheaper, if you think what you will lose in depreciation on the Sti.

bugsti

Just had my second set of struts fitted. The first were done under warranty but I had to stump up for this set - the car being well out of warranty and I hadn't extended the warranty (which would have cost a lot more than the new struts!).

I heard about the scooby clinic fix but don't actually know if it actually exists.

Varboy

Back to my question...

Does the fault effect the handling of the car or it is just an annoying fault.

In my experience, the fault has not affected handling but this may just be my experience, what have others found?

davedipster

Days of Chelmsford fixed mine over 2 years ago(They fitted re-designed top mounts and shocks), and it's been fine since. Maybe Days have a fix that others don't do? a phone call to the days techs could help?

davedipster

Even afternarket shocks can still knock.
It's been covered before, but it's all about the design of the rear suspension travel that causes a side loading on the rear shocks, in turn wearing out the top mount bush and the shock top bush allowing play in the shock piston. So without altering the travel of the rear suspension and in turn removing the over large side loading, all shocks will wear out.
That's what I've read on nasioc anyway.

dipster

Tidgy

should be an imcoming post with details from clinic

terzo204

Please let us know the outcome

urban

iTrader: (1)

It would be pointless i'm afraid.

I was one of the original users who suffered this on my MY02 Prodrive STI.
I had 5 or 6 sets of rear shocks that I can remember, possibly even another 1 on top of that thinking about it.

It got so bad that I ended up dealing with the MD of international motors, and they even sent technical staff over to Northern Ireland to look at my car.

Anyway this lasted for almost 3 years albeit with minimal knocking for the last 8 or 9 months.
This was my doing on the understan ding that if it got worse they'd do something again.
That cars was replaced with an MY05 STI!

Anyway, the point is that the number of people with faults isn't really large enough to get anywhere with a petition.

Shaun

Red Rocket 11166

Shaun,

Anyway, the point is that the number of people with faults isn't really large enough to get anywhere with a petition.

I think you will find it is. Three people i know with STI's have had a couple of sets. My car is on it's third set - 03 STI.

Rgds Red.