johnmacdonald Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I have a horrible feeling that driving slowly over rough surfaces, knocking noise may be due to strut failure. Will be going to Subaru Cambridge for investigation and if it is what I fear, I know that OEM replacements will be at totally inflated price. I have looked online for KYB gas, but can't find any sellers. Any ideas please or am I facing the old KYB/Subaru agreement not to supply to the public for current models? Link to comment
The Don Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Where's the knock coming from ?, as the rear suspension is totally different to the newage. Looking at the 2018 KYB catalogues their supply for Subaru vehicles is very limited now. Could it be a consequence of the spring change? Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 (edited) Hi Don, As usual, it's difficult to decide where the knocking is coming from, particularly with the H&S desilienced centre section! However, the noise is reminiscent of the failed struts on previous 2005 WRX STi and Hawk WRX PPP, both with Prodrive spring kits. Following fitting of Eibach springs to the current STi, I had 4 wheel alignment carried out by Cambridge Performance Tyres to Eibach's settings. Will see what transpires at Subaru Cambridge... Edited December 13, 2018 by johnmacdonald Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 And it's only done 21,000 miles and agree that rear suspension is different to newage. 1 Link to comment
t5nyw Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 my 2011 oly done 21,000 and are suspect. looks like 17 to 25k on A road or 30 or 35k motorway miles Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 Ours has done its miles on mainly disintegrating Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire B roads. Doesn't sound promising then... Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 STi to be looked at Subaru Cambridge on Thursday. They have suggested that if not struts or shocks, could be a droplink issue. Does that make sense? Link to comment
ScoobieFloz Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 I seem to go through droplinks quite quickly ? Easy and relatively cheap to fix Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 Cambridge Subaru have today diagnosed a worn steering rack, which I find a little difficult to comprehend. And as previously stated, the STi has only done 21,000. The knocking occurs noticeably at slow speed, forward and reverse and with no steering input. I had always thought that signs of a rack problem were evident on significant steering input?? Am awaiting an estimate with some trepidation... Link to comment
ccrien Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) Strange for the rack to go before the much more likely droplinks, track rod ends or even rack bushes? Think I read somewhere that the early electric driven racks on some models ( recentish legacy or forester??) suffered from a water leak that led to deterioration but I have no idea if that's the type of rack in your STi or whether that would cause the knocking ( sure Don would know). But if the knocking is sourced from the steering rack, I would describe the cause as a faulty rack rather than a worn rack, after so few miles and its age, and if I were in your shoes I would be looking for a second opinion. As well as assurances that the droplinks and all steering ancillary parts, bushes etc are fine, before considering replacing the rack. Edited December 14, 2018 by ccrien 1 Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Thanks ccrien, I am fairly certain that the current STi quick rack is hydraulic, rather than electric. Oddly enough, before you posted, I had decided to seek a second opinion and the car will go to ex. Subaru dealership, Quenbys of Baldock. They still have two of their original Subaru technicians, who have been with the firm for many years and they still service and repair loyal Subaru owners' cars. 1 Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 (edited) At last visited Quenbys this morning and they are convinced that the knocking is as a result of incorrect fitting of a (or both) front spring top mounts. Eibachs fitted last year by a Subaru dealer, who subsequently advised the the knock was coming from a faulty steering rack. Quenbys fear the the struts have possibly been damaged and my dilemma is do I simply have the springs refitted - at least 3 hours labour - or also buy new struts at a cost of some £600 and thus avoid more extra labour if the refitting alone doesn't work? If Quenbys are right, I will be looking for a refund from Subaru dealer of £403 charged for fitting plus £96 for carrying out 4 wheel alignment again. Should be interesting... Edited February 15, 2019 by johnmacdonald Extra content Link to comment
ScoobieFloz Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 12 hours ago, t5nyw said: "But did find a non OEM battery clamp which had shifted weight balance of the car." I hope this is a true story ? Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted February 17, 2019 Author Share Posted February 17, 2019 Hey friends, I would really welcome any serious thoughts or comments to my post on Friday!!! Thanks. Are you there Don? 1 Link to comment
t5nyw Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 3 hours ago, johnmacdonald said: Hey friends, I would really welcome any serious thoughts or comments to my post on Friday!!! Thanks. Are you there Don? After my experience they dont understand or deal with suspension or performance issues. I will NEVER use a Desler again I will always use a specialist I not surprised dealer incorrectly fitted suspension or guessed the wrong fault. I doubt they will redress all your losses. Regards tony Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 So, STi went into Quenbys (ex Subaru main dealers) on Thursday, struts removed, top mount bearings replaced (failed at only 22,500 miles and possibly caused by incorrect fitting of new Eibachs?), springs refitted properly and knocking gone. Fortunately, it appears that the struts are undamaged. Quenbys have kindly provided photographic evidence, including shots of damage and subsequent rust caused by the struts/springs fouling the inner wings. They even treated the damage with underseal. If any members are within a reasonable distance from Baldock, Herts and out of warranty, I cannot recommend highly enough. The battle now commences to get my money back from Cambridge Subaru. If they are unwilling to agree, my motor legal protection insurer will be involved... 1 Link to comment
ccrien Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Almost a happy ending then John,. Keep us posted how it goes. Will be interesting if you need to use the legal services, To see if it's worth continuing to pay for that extra that nobody ever seems to use?? Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 I will keep updating. As a matter of interest, for years, I have placed stand alone motor and home legal expenses covers via MEM Insurance Brokers at half the cost of including within the primary policy covers. The MEM cover also includes legal expenses for persuing pothole damage compensation - potentially very useful! Link to comment
t5nyw Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 On 2/3/2019 at 19:44, johnmacdonald said: I will keep updating. As a matter of interest, for years, I have placed stand alone motor and home legal expenses covers via MEM Insurance Brokers at half the cost of including within the primary policy covers. The MEM cover also includes legal expenses for persuing pothole damage compensation - potentially very useful! legal protection is a useful but under used part of any insurance cover Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 I agree Tony, everyone needs to read their LE policy wordings. The extent of cover can be quite amazing. John 1 Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Legal expenses insurer has agreed for me to send my polite letter, along with supporting photos and invoices, asking for reimbursement of extra costs and this will be posted recorded delivery tomorrow. If the Subaru dealer refuses to compensate, they will take over... Link to comment
ScoobieFloz Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Let the battle commence ? Let's hope our faith in the dealer doing the right thing is upheld. Link to comment
johnmacdonald Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 To my surprise and delight, had a call from Cambridge Subaru this afternoon to confirm that they are reimbursing me for all the charges made by Quenbys plus the cost of four wheel alignment. Top marks to Cambridge Subaru... 1 Link to comment
t5nyw Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 1 hour ago, johnmacdonald said: To my surprise and delight, had a call from Cambridge Subaru this afternoon to confirm that they are reimbursing me for all the charges made by Quenbys plus the cost of four wheel alignment. Top marks to Cambridge Subaru... To be fair thats suprised me, so well done Cambridge Subaru Tony Link to comment
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