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Old 03-03-2009, 06:31 AM   #1
AWD_Drift
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Unhappy Clunking Noise and Knocking Noise from rear.

I have 04 sti, and i bought it used last year. however, it made some knocking and clunking noise from rear. Sometimes when I make complete stop, I feel the rear go down(like someone lift up the rear and letting it go). The noise and bumpy ride feeling occurs even when the car is on the flat and good conditioned road.
First, I thought it was the loosen strut top but it was not the problem, and I recently replaced the strut. first few hours it seems good. but now, its my 5th day, the noise and bumpy ride came back. It really drives me crazy. Now im lost, because I thought the only reason can be the struts.
I took it to several shops, and all they all say is strut, or strut top.
I would like to hear possible reason or solution. And Thanks for reading!!
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Old 03-03-2009, 06:43 AM   #2
UkNuck
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWD_Drift View Post
when I make complete stop, I feel the rear go down(like someone lift up the rear and letting it go)
That sounds exactly like my experience with takeoff STI struts - until I disassembled and regreased them. Clunking and stiction are well known issues with these inverted assemblies.

Did you replace both rear struts? were the replacements new or used?
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Old 03-03-2009, 09:56 PM   #3
AWD_Drift
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I replaced both rear struts(Used) but I dont think its strut issue, since people who heard the sound, they said its not the ordinary clunking noise from other WRX/STI.
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Old 03-06-2009, 12:25 AM   #4
AWD_Drift
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bump for help
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Old 03-09-2009, 04:36 AM   #5
AWD_Drift
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another bump;
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Old 03-09-2009, 07:08 AM   #6
Badmunky
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Could be a broken diff bushing or diff support bushing. If the last owner was hard on the car its vary likely.

Or you got a bad used strut and it had the same problem as the last one.

Later.
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Old 03-09-2009, 11:35 AM   #7
XmanSTi
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so, let's recap, because I'm in a sarcastig mood this morning

a- You had a clunking noise on STi inverted rear struts.
b- You replaced clunking struts with used struts (did not lube them)
c- A shop listened to it and told you it was either a strut or strut top.
d- Your friends (not sure about their qualifiications) said it was not the struts.
e- A used inverted strut will be very prone to clunking if they had sat on a shelf for a while.


Logic and my experience with driving on 04 OEM STi struts with lowering springs for almost 5 years (on Bilsteins now but teh OEMs were not blown after 75k miles) I would say your first step is to lube them according to the DIY instructions in this forum. Then come back and tell the forum if that fixed the noise.

Don't worry, you aren't the first person to come here with this exact same symptom and resistance to believe it is the strut, and you won't be the last....
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Old 03-11-2009, 08:18 PM   #8
AWD_Drift
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Badmunky View Post
Could be a broken diff bushing or diff support bushing. If the last owner was hard on the car its vary likely.

Or you got a bad used strut and it had the same problem as the last one.

Later.
Thank you.
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Old 03-11-2009, 08:21 PM   #9
AWD_Drift
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XmanSTi View Post
so, let's recap, because I'm in a sarcastig mood this morning

a- You had a clunking noise on STi inverted rear struts.
b- You replaced clunking struts with used struts (did not lube them)
c- A shop listened to it and told you it was either a strut or strut top.
d- Your friends (not sure about their qualifiications) said it was not the struts.
e- A used inverted strut will be very prone to clunking if they had sat on a shelf for a while.


Logic and my experience with driving on 04 OEM STi struts with lowering springs for almost 5 years (on Bilsteins now but teh OEMs were not blown after 75k miles) I would say your first step is to lube them according to the DIY instructions in this forum. Then come back and tell the forum if that fixed the noise.

Don't worry, you aren't the first person to come here with this exact same symptom and resistance to believe it is the strut, and you won't be the last....
Thank you. I gotta try that first.
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Old 05-24-2009, 01:14 PM   #10
JakeMandell
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AWD_Drift,

What happened to your situation. Did the noise go away after lubing your struts? Just wondering because I'm getting a similar noise on my '05 STi and I'm trying to figure out if it is the struts or the axle nut issue I have read about.
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Old 05-25-2009, 10:54 AM   #11
berkut_g
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i have the same problems, 2004 STI ... the guys told me what it is , but i have no ideea what is the word in english for it
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Old 05-25-2009, 11:07 AM   #12
JakeMandell
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I decided to get a little dirty yesterday. I took the rear wheels off and lifted the strut shaft "accordion" cover, wiped away the grime that was surrounding the shaft at the seal, and wiped some grease around the shaft in its place. I buttoned everything back up and NO MORE SOUND.

I guess mine was the struts.
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Old 05-27-2009, 01:11 PM   #13
berkut_g
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if my translation is correct they are called : tophats . it is the piece on top of the shock absorber .
those get quite loud over time , and also put more load on the bushes beneath them .

changed mine today and is all nice and quiet
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Old 02-10-2011, 12:42 PM   #14
jono_c
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I have the exact same issue with my 04 STi. And i have brand new Tokico Spec-D struts.. I had the strut clunking noise before i had them replaced and know what it sounds like. so i don't think your issue is your struts. I'm going to go with the diff and outrigger bushings. Although I do still need to get it checked out.


http://www.tougetuning.com/store/tic...0_82_87_96_155
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Old 02-11-2011, 06:30 PM   #15
evilWagon
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Jono, are you local to Toronto? Curious to hear the outcome of your experience as I'm getting the same noise on my 2.5i and I'm running the comfort TiC kit that you purchased.
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Old 02-14-2011, 01:07 AM   #16
benwara
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the used struts you got were likely replaced for a reason. why not just buy new struts anyway?
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:56 AM   #17
Arnie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jono_c View Post
I have the exact same issue with my 04 STi. And i have brand new Tokico Spec-D struts.. I had the strut clunking noise before i had them replaced and know what it sounds like. so i don't think your issue is your struts. I'm going to go with the diff and outrigger bushings. Although I do still need to get it checked out.


http://www.tougetuning.com/store/tic...0_82_87_96_155
Are you using Scooby 921 Spacers with your DSpecs?
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