rear strut problem?

I suspect I've got the STi rear strut problem, but I'm not sure. I get a rattling at low speeds, and an occasional clunk (that seems to come from the rear). Is there a Service Bulletin out on this?

 

I think this was a big problem with '04 Sti's but i dont know about the '05's. I read a thread on nasioc about it.

 

I have this problem with my 05. I replaced one last summer and now my other rear one is blown. Im going coilovers sometime this summer, but warrenty should cover this for you.

 

If they replace it under warranty, I hope they're not going to replace it with the same defective part number. Any Subaru employees on this board, please add info if you have any.

 

Im not sure if they fixed the problem or not, but I know ALOT of people have this problem. This is one thing that really disapoints me about the STi.

 

Fortunately (knock on wood), this is the only real problem I've had. Those Ohlin coilovers I've been scoping out sure are looking nice about now.

 

oh oh oh link please???? I was looking at the Tein Flex myself, after riding in Jason's car there really not as stiff as I thought they would be, but there around 1600.00 bucks!

 

Flex's it is then!

 

the replacement struts are supposed to be a little less breeakable that the stock ones..
i had both of mine replaced under warranty.

get your order in, mine took about 3 weeks to be delivered.

 

I am a victim of the rear strut issue, but I have yet to get a "clunk". I first noticed the problem while running around on the backroads up at Vermillion last January. The car was so loose I could barely keep the back end behind me. I thought it maybe was just the conditions, but I have felt the feeling before....too stiff on the rear coilover valving (on the RS). After a week or two, I noticed that as I came up to a stop sign (or light) the car would stop, and then the back end would "sit" with a feeling of stiction. It got progressively worse to the point where it could be detected by a passenger so I brought it in (Bloomington).... 10min later the tech came out and said both rear struts are leaking, they will be replaced under warranty. Everything was fine until about this past Dec, it began to happen again. I brought the car in 2 wks ago and of course, they were not able to reproduce. I went out with the tech and I was not able to reproduce (since then I realized I need to be travelling >=45mph prior to stopping), but we talked about the behavior and why I felt it was real (years of running the RS competitively). In the end, he said that I knew what I was talking about and he believed the issue was real and they ordered a replacement drivers rear strut under the 12mo parts warranty. I only asked for the drivers side as it was the one that was obviously sticking and I will go back if the other side acts up. It was interesting that he noted that he replaced ~20 STi struts in 2+yrs and didn't think it was a major issue. He also questioned how the previous tech handled the issue. He didn't believe the tech saw leaking and just changed the struts because they were under warranty. I argued that there was a clear difference after the struts were replaced so whatever the tech found, it was the right decision....

Anyway, that is my story.

 

Good info, thanks!

 

Update -

I just got a call from the Whitebear dealership. I have defective rear struts, they will replace (on order) around the 24th. He claims he hasn't heard of many issues with this type of problem.

 

I'd take a look at tanabe sustec sevens (not sure if they make STi yeat) or cusco zero1's for the same price range as well to get some comparisons.

 

Yeah my 05 has the click/clunking problem...drives me nuts haven't had the time to take it to the dealer yet though to get it fixed. Last time i took it there they told me it was a loose bracket for emissions equipment...WTF? haha what bracket for emissions equipment is in my right rear wheel well? I would have argued with the guy more but i had to drive to Syracuse. Anywho just like Dream i'm gonna go with the Teins as soon as i get the money together and my bumper to bumper warranty is up :lol:

 

My passenger side rear has been rattling for a while. I have about 10 k M on my car.

 

Count me in for the sti strut "clunking" issue just had mine checked out yesterday at BP subaru and they are replacing both rear struts. Kinda odd there is not a revised part, but I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed with the replacements.Oh yeah its an 05.w/9xxx miles

 

Get this, there IS a revised part number. When I went to pick my subie up today at WB, the guy said that it was one of the newer ones (black) versus the original (red). The black ones are what they are putting in the 2006 STIs... He said there was a tech bulletin about the old ones and he didn't see any issues with the new ones until I came in. Apparently some of the 2005 STi's (the later ones) got some 2006 parts

 

Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can get the new (06) parts. I was told there was no new part#

 

When I get the invoice, I'll post the part number. The part won't be coming in until around the 24th

 

I got the same issue when I installed my P1 springs over stock struts on my rear. I thought it was just a loose bolts!!! I don't know....I could be wrong....HELP!!!!

 

I have the same problem, I just put on prodrive springs and I dont think they will cover my car under waranty any more

 

^^ 1+

 

Wow, has Subaru discovered what the actual problem is? I heard on iwsti forum that Mobile 1 synthetic grease will help a bit too

 

04, 05 both has em. 04 even had some lame arse camber issues in some models. like mine, but that was quickly fixed with some H and R triple c cam bolts

 

Mine is in the shop today getting the "clunk" fixed...rear drivers side

 

Right!....Here it is boys! The problem is not with rear strut itself...it's because of the rear strut mount rubber damper. It falls apart in the steel housing, and causes the clunk! If your struts are leaking it's probably because of the side to side movement because your top hat was muffed up. Therefore your struts may be replaced too! So don't say the struts are crap, cause they're not, it's the faulty top hats, and yes...there is a new part, so it shouldn't happen twice!

 

Cool, It's getting a bit louder these days. It's like I have both rear doors and trunk not closed all the way. I probably won't get this replaced until the first week of March

 

I just had my struts replaced today unde warranty. They were both leaking. For those interested, here's the part numbers on the new struts:

Strut CP R R (20360FE900)
Strut CP R L (20360FE910)

The drive home was nice