Subaru Impreza STi - Rear Shocks Gone

[paulmoonraker]

Hi,

MY STi has developed the dreaded shock knocking problem – a known fault from what I have been reading. Anyway, it’s a 2005 with the centre diff control and as such KYB don’t appear to make any cheap OEM replacements. Anyone know of a manufacturer that does? If not, what about coilovers? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

-P

[Animal]

Is it not just the top mounts? How many miles has your car done? Is it still under warranty? It's a known issue for Subaru so if you bought from a Subaru dealer they should replace them for you FOC.

[paulmoonraker]

Its a 2005 STi. How can I check the top mounts?

-P

[allsop83]

This is a common fault- some folk have had the OE items replaced by Subaru FOC under an almost "recall" I think?? might be worth asking the question at your dealer but I can't remember the ins & outs of it.

I would recommend the BC coilovers, these have had issues on the Newage Impreza's in the past but have now a new topmount (or reuse the OE rear topmounts) that eliminates the problem they were having. Great quality and cheap (ish..) haha

[drillfield47]

I had a 55 plate STI for 3 years (10 months old when i got it) and had the rear passenger side shocks doen 3 times under warranty...........they service manager used to recognise me before i got out of the car! First set done at about 20k miles and the last set done at 45k miles.

It is a very common problem but i think scooby clinic figured out the problem so give them a call. ALl Subaru did was fit the same shocks with the same problem waiting to happen.

[scoobyPPP]

I have the same problem on my 05 sti, does it matter if you dont replace them? will it affect the handling or the car in the long term?

[Marf]

paulmoonraker said:

Its a 2005 STi. How can I check the top mounts?

-P

Jack up the corner of the car which has the topmount you want to test, just enough to get the wheel off the ground, then use something to apply leverage to the wheel and feel if there is movement in the topmount, as any play in th topmount should be taken up before the suspension starts to compress.

[paulmoonraker]

I have tried that now, and there does not seem to be any play in them. I think I might go for some coilovers. Any recommendations?

[bls1]

Are you sure its the shocks ? Could it be some other bush or anti-roll bar link that's worn ? Or even jack in the boot clonking around ? I know the rear shocks are a known problem but wouldn't jump to replacing them without proper diagnosis.

[paulmoonraker]

I will tap my neighbour up and see if he can give me a hand (his a mechanic). Your right, it could be something else. I have just assumed because of all of the previous postings. I found an article on scoobypedia on how to re-grease the shock, so I might try this before forking out on coilovers.

[paulmoonraker]

FYI - I jacked the car up and sprayed White Lithium Grease (Halfords – blue spray can, made my same company as WD40) all over the shock piston. It’s now sorted.

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/K...

[kayzee]

This was the only problem my previous owner said he had with the car, went three times iirc. In the end he replaced them with Tein coilovers, which I must say are superb.