My 2005 WRX needs the rear shock absorbers replacing again. This will make it the fourth time in 60,000 miles. It had the original ones from new, then replaced twice under warranty and now need doing again. It's only used as a road car, and never carries any weight.

Has anyone else experienced this? I know it's a common fault and most people get them replaced once, but 4 times in 60K.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Subaru garage which replaced them under warranty did replace them, or whether they just gave them a wipe with a damp rag to make them look new.

 

tbh ditch the standards they all suffer from this, get some good coilovers ( more expense i know ) then problem is gone for good

 

Just had my third set fitted on Friday. 54k on the clock.

 

I've just replaced the rear shocks with replacement Subaru ones and if I had the dollar, I would just fit aftermarket coilovers as mentioned above

 

Same here, my 03sti got thought 2 sets in just 30k miles.
Ditch and get BC coilovers I did and 2 years later they are still fine!

Also cheaper than std subaru/KYB rubbish!

dipster

 

Then sell your almost new rear struts on here ....

 

I also have a 2005 wrx. Mine went in the first week of ownership (from new), then again 12 months later !! Both these were under warranty so no biggy really. I thought for £750 a pair they'd be a lot better than they were. Luckily the last set have been good for the last 5 years.

 

Similar experience here. First ones lasted to 11k, replaced under warranty at a year old. Replacements still working away without knocking at 39k.

 

On my 2007 Hawkeye they lasted about 22k miles.
Just over £900 inc VAT & fitting now at the dealers

 

Mine have just started going again think it's ohlins time

 

Ouch £900. That's decent coilovers territory.

 

mine are still on the originals at 58k!

 

What do you guys do with these "knackered" shocks?

Feel free to donate them to me

 

I'm sorry but what is the problem with them ?

 

Technically nothing wrong with the shock absorber itself but it's inverted inside a strut, from the factory they have a small amount of grease inside the strut.. This hardens and is pushed flat to the inside of the strut and dispersed from areas it's needed. When this happens you get a knocking noise from the movement now allowed.

It's simply a case of cleaning the old grease out and renewing the grease.

I've done mine. Last one I did I added a grease nipple for the future.

 

Is this a design fault or a fault of the grease? My 53 Sti was knocking when I bought it and I stripped them, cleaned them out and replaced the grease. A few hours work and no knocking anymore. It passed its MOT anyway with them knocking. But sounds great now. I am guessing with you installing a grease nipple I am likely to be doing this again at some point!! Should be easier next time as those bolts holding it below were fecking tight, talking 3/4 inch drive and scaffolding!

Although passing its MOT and rebuilding the rear shocks my car feels bouncy when moving at slow speeds. This a car trait or something else? Feels a bit kangaroo like when coming to a stop!?

 

Ah yes, i've heard of that one, just never heard of someone having to get new shocks to solve that problem

 

O.K. it's not a WRX or a high powered variant, but my 03 GX Sport has 72k on the clock and on original shocks. If I knew where to get coilovers for a non Turbo car I would give it a go. I had a disc removed in my back 21 years ago and the state of the roads in rural Scotland it getting close to the Romanian standard nowadays! Poland seems to have improved after the bad press, they are even building a proper highway there now!!!

 

I don't like to temp fate but my jdm sti is on it's 2nd set at 54k but the replacements are gold in colour probably kyb but were fitted about 4 years ago before I had the car and still seem ok, only knocking I get is from the front brakepads which I need to investigate at next service

 

mine are about ready for a third set

 

I've been told on hawkeyes they average about 9000 miles a pair - although this was quoted in relation to mine with tein springs and others with prodrive springs.
I was quoted £300 per oem shocker, but got 4 coilovers for less than £600.
Subaru will only replace them under warranty- even if they go 1 day after they don't want to know. Save yourself the grief and get coilovers fitted.

 

The £700 BC coilovers FTW!

Just do it.

You'll love the way the car rides/feels, trust me.

 

Do you reckon you could get away with fitting the grease nipple without taking them off the car?