Cars in the garage today

[Megaman]

My car is in the garage today getting the struts replaced. I had a new pair 7 months ago and they have gone already. Must be a design issue with the standard struts. Anyone know why they go as its clearly a weakness in the design somehow...

RCM said to me get EXE-TC coil overs as they use them on their gobstopper. With all respect, the gobstopper isnt used every day and doesnt go over 200 speedbumps a week which is the bare minimum that my car will do. Im sure if my car was used purely on the flat that the shockers would last a bit longer whatever the make... The other issue with that is after forking out about 2500 notes for them they cannot guarentee they will last 18 months... if im paying that i want to know they wont last another 7 months lol..

For now since i paid for the struts 7 months ago they are being done under warranty but once the warranty is up it looks like Ex-Tc is the way to go

[CAVEMAN]

I remember reading somewhere that it is the grease inside the struts that is at fault.

It goes hard over time...there are a few topics around on't tinternet that can confirm this and also show you how to strip them down and re-pack with better stuff.

[John Mc]

If the grease went hard after a few years (4-5?!) I could understand but 7 months?!? Seems a bit of a short lifetime for grease... Do they have to be re-greased regularly maybe?

[CAVEMAN]

I just remember reading a topic on it, I might try and dig it out again and post up a link.

Ask for your old ones back and then take them apart to check. If they are truely knackered then they shouldn't be a problem the garage giving them to you.

[Megaman]

I just remember reading a topic on it, I might try and dig it out again and post up a link.

Ask for your old ones back and then take them apart to check. If they are truely knackered then they shouldn't be a problem the garage giving them to you.

it was done under warranty as i paid £690 for one to be replaced 7 months ago and the same again for the other to be replaced 8 months ago.. If they are done under warranty they send the parts back to subaru . Still i would have thought theyd have fixed the design fault by now as it must cost them loads with the number that they go through. The garage did say yesterday that it is normally the STI and special editions that go and not the lower models such as the none turbo or WRX... maybe these all have the same harder struts

[Megaman]

Grr got my car back today after having both struts replaced under warranty and it is still knocking on the way to work. Garage just said its probably my droplinks that are going as they dont last very long either... Is there any part of this car that doesnt need replacing regularly??

[John Mc]

Drop links?? WTF..

Why don't you get them done at Adams when you get the suspension done? How much are they?

[WR1 Bro]

Standard droplinks car pence mate.

On mine, I've wondered if the clunking is the rear brake pads?

[Megaman]

just been quoted about 100 per side from kt green with a 3 yr subaru warranty. bro doesnt like his perrin ones does he?...

the garage said droplinks go all the time on most subarus but the sti's normally arent as bad as the lower models for some reason..

guess im just unlucky when it comes to car parts failing on me... my german made focus st has never had a suspension issue and that went over 200+ bumps per week for 3yrs before i gave it to the missus... hmm

[John Mc]

Bro / Adam thought his droplinks were the cause of the clunking noise but from his post above I suspect there may be more to it?

Bro was thinking of reverting back to the standard subaru drop links to remove the clunking noise.

[Megaman]

right well i dont want any more clunks or annoying rattles..

[WR1 Bro]

I have Whiteline droplinks... Any uprated part comes with a trade off... Yes, I'm going to be fitting the standard drop links.

Regards to £100 a side FFS... give Adam a bell. I'm sure he'll fit them for less than that.

[Megaman]

I have Whiteline droplinks... Any uprated part comes with a trade off... Yes, I'm going to be fitting the standard drop links.

Regards to £100 a side FFS... give Adam a bell. I'm sure he'll fit them for less than that.

ive not actually got any details for adam - john has done the deal with him ...

[WR1 Bro]

I have Whiteline droplinks... Any uprated part comes with a trade off... Yes, I'm going to be fitting the standard drop links.

Regards to £100 a side FFS... give Adam a bell. I'm sure he'll fit them for less than that.

ive not actually got any details for adam - john has done the deal with him ...

07855 364898

[CAVEMAN]

only a couple of bolts mate, can you not fit them yourself?

its the labour cost that kills you on these things. then you know how to change them back afterwards too!!

all good experience.

[WR1 Bro]

I often choose not to do jobs like this. All well and good if you have the tools... If I remember I will post a picture of my tool box this evening.

In addition Adam is a very fair price and I take peace of mind from him giving the car a once over.

[CAVEMAN]

sorry its a few replies late, but as promised I have dug out that old grease re-packing topic.

maybe of use to someone...

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/04_sti ... t9972.html

[WR1 Bro]

OMG seems a lot of effort?

[John Mc]

OMG seems a lot of effort?

Agreed, my first question is how do you get the wheel off...?! Seems to miss this part off the explaination... or does the wheel just fall off when you reach up and pull the strut out??

Second question is what if you didn't have a spring compressor, could you use your teeth?

[WR1 Bro]

Second question is what if you didn't have a spring compressor, could you use your teeth?

We will just call you Bugs...

[Gee Wr1]

the garage said droplinks go all the time on most subarus but the sti's normally arent as bad as the lower models for some reason..

The reason wrx's & sports drop links fail more is they are plastic! sti's have metal ones.

[WAYNE WRX]

sorry its a few replies late, but as promised I have dug out that old grease re-packing topic.

maybe of use to someone...

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/04_sti ... t9972.html

This is brilliant cheers matey

[CAVEMAN]

to whip off the struts is really easy...but you will definitely need spring compressors. These are around 10 quid from Halfrauds for a cheap and dirty pair.

after that it is plain sailing really.

a few small bolts and new grease...easy.

I would also mark the bolt positions on the top and lower mounts so that when you put them back on you know that the alignment is spot on again too.

[Megaman]

Thanks for the feedback Andy, very useful to know when they go out of warranty next.