i just traded my 06 wrx for sti limited and im hearing and sort of feeling a very strange thumping noise when making turns at slow speeds. it seems to be just sharpe turns like pulling into a parking spot or other tight turns. I changed the center diff all the way to the rear and it seems to go away. anyone have any idea what this could be. the car has only 100 miles on it and i noticed this almost right after i got the car.

thanks, John

it's probably one of the LSDs

You sure it's a problem?

Might as well have the dealer look at it. You're under warranty.

It's the center differential working its magic. I hear this on my STI as well...

Its not the infamous "4WD hop" is it?

Usually a AWD (4WD) car "hops" a bit when you have the steering turned almost to full lock. Its kindof like all the wheels are fighting for their own direction, and it causes the car to behave erratically...similar to what you just described.

Just my two cents...could be way off, and sorry if I am. For what its worth, my car does what I just described above whenever I am pulling into a tight spot or making a u-turn at slow speeds. Symptoms sound similar to me....

you sure its normal i had it all the way 50/50 split seems much worse had problems even turning into a parking spot i had to back up and straighten out to get it

its just that my 06 wrx didnt ever have this problem but they don't have front lsd or dccd so i don't know

oh by the way thanks for the responses guys. much appreciated.

Just take it in, it's under warranty, and you want them to document it incase later down the road it becomes a bigger problem.

When you're doing low speed manuevers, you should put the DCCD in auto, that's why you're getting the clunk...

does it bad in auto, gets better the more you put rear.

I just plug my ears and go "lalalalalala" when pulling into parking spaces :lol:

i want an sti with all these gadgets :-(

but anyway, tkae it to the dealer man, you never know what could happen down the line....

like two days after i got my car from the dealer, my coolant poped ALL OVER the engine and made a mess, and my car started overheating and im like UHHHH

so i took it to the dealer and they replaced EVERYTHING and cleaned my car inside and out for me again...good stuff

yeah i guess ill have to take it in to dealer hopefully nothing that leaves me without my car for to long if it is a problem

It's called 'crow hop'

Most AWD or 4WD vehicles will do it.

Its quite normal. This happened to me as well, but I 'learned' how to drive it. It's just the diffs. Almost 4k miles and I've no problems with it since 300 miles. Just takes some getting used to.

The diff IMO just needs to break-in. EVERYTHING is new and is still tight. EVEN NEW LSDs will do this to the tires front or back.

Turning at low speed tight turns, diff see difference in speed when set in auto mode, diff applies LSD effect, haha. Set to rear, which is default thus no LSD effect on planetary gearset center diff, no LSD effect so no hopping, but you'll feel a little hope because of the rear mech LSD which is standard on the STi.

If you want smooth, it's gotta be VISCOUS LSDs, but they suck anyway in applying a good LSD effect.

I was thinking about trading my06 in for an 07 Limited....if I could find one. You get a good deal? Hope your problem goes away.

34K for mine. They weren't quite as willing to work with me on price, but I was ok with it since they didn't mark it up at all. I could have bought an 06 for about 32k, but decided why not have a limited ;)

I know this is becoming off topic, but what was the difference in your payment?

I didn't work the deal on the 06, just pricing. I'd guess if you're looking for a monthly payment difference, it would be maybe $20-40 for the 2k.

Send me a pm if you have more questions.

difference in payment is $150 and a year longer. with slightly higher interest rate too. and yep i paid 34k for it too got a decent deal on trade in of my 06 wrx since it only had 3300 miles.

I hope you throughly enjoy yours!:)

RTFM

sorry had to do it. its in there. its completely normal in a tight radius turn at slow speeds :)

just drift into parking spaces you will be fine

I have this same noise. Next oil change I will have the dealer listen to it. Other than that the car drives fine.