WRX - strange suspension sounds!

[Animal]

Hi All,

My 2005 WRX (2.0) has recently started making some odd noises...

I had the rear top mounts replaced under warranty in the spring, but I swear that I can hear that familiar clonking sound coming from the rear occasionally!

What's concerning me more is the occasional squeak that I also get from the rear (I think) when going over a pothole or bump in the road. I can't replicate this and it is only occasional but it is quite loud - bushes?

I also noticed just this morning when parking that I've got a knocking sound coming from the front driver's side when turning right, which is quite worrying.

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a moment when the car went very light at something over a lepton so I know something's not right, but it is confusing, I had the car serviced a few weeks ago and had tracking/alignment adjusted and it's def not the tyres which are at the correct pressure and evenly worn.

I have been thinking about having a few things done to improve handling (ARBs, better top mounts, strut brace, etc, etc), but it looks like there's something more pressing to take care of!

Apologies for the long post, but what does the PH massive prescribe?

[ScoobieWRX]

Front driver's side knock when turning right is probably a CV joint needs replacement, warranty should cover that. Rear knocking noise sounds like maybe your suspension again. Just make sure the topmount nuts have been done up properly as they may be loose.

As for the squeak, just make sure all the bushes are lubed properly as a dry bush will squeak it's head off!! Also it could be your exhaust mounts or heat shields having a good squeek when sufficiently provoked

It's not unheard of for dealers to not tighten things up as well as they should only for you to have to go back to them to sort it out...so then the dealer puts another warranty claim in for no good reason other than it's a good earner. They do like to play those games from time to time!!

Go back to the dealer

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Thursday 19th November 11:38

[Animal]

Thanks for the reply.

Car is out of warranty now, but if rear top mounts have worn again I'd rather just get some decent alloy top mounts and replace. Given that car is now 5 yrs old (56k miles) should the bushes need replacing?

Might have to make a trip to Zen or Powerstation and have them cast an expert eye...

[ScoobieWRX]

My car is 8yrs old and all my topmounts front and back are in perfect working order so after such a short time yours should be fine. Like i said, check them out first and give them a good manual shake about. Jack the back end up and let the wheels hang down freely at their max travel and then give them a good shake. That will reveal any knocking bushes, mountings etc... It may well be just loose nuts/bolts that need tightening up to get rid of the prob.

If it's more than that then you either treat your car very badly and rally it on the roughest ground possible every day, they weren't fitted properly when they were done, they had a manufacturing fault or were manufactured from sub-standard materials.

Take your pick

[RASTIVL]

hi there i agree compleatly ,dont trust main dealers , try find a good specialist even if you need to travel ,but go back to them first to get it saughted . cheers

[Syndrome]

The only warranty issue I've had with My 05 model STI has been the rear struts and topmounts. both have failed once, so far the replacements have been fine.

[P-1]

I bought my WRX in April and had to have the rear struts replaced almost immediately under warranty (paid for by the supplying dealer I suspect). However, after a trip to Le Mans, the LH started knocking again and I was told there had been a bad batch of replacement struts in the rework kits, so don't rule out a fairly quick failure.

[Animal]

Well, pretty much all the noises bar the occasional rear top mount clonk have disappeared! I dropped the car off at Slip End Subaru and after having had the car for the day they couldn't find the problem, nor could I replicate it when I got there. Still, they didn't charge me anything for looking at it.

I think the plan for 2010 is going to be: change the bushes, install new front/rear ARBs and top mounts and possibly new springs plus geo.If I have any change from a grand I might even try to find a Prodrive downpipe!