i have a 04 sti. just wondering if u can run the KYB shocks on my car. they make it for the 02-03 wrx will it fit my car.

 

why would you want to run KYB shocks on your car when your stock 04 STI struts are great for most applications. If you'd like to lower the car and still have good performance you should at least try some quality lowering springs.

Jon

 

i got lowering springs in my car already. for some reason my rear shock make like a rattling noise every time i go over a bump or driveway. however at high speeds doesnt seem to make any noise. car runs fine its just that it gets pretty irritating when chicks are like whats that noise coming from the rear. its just a noise but its irritating and i want to get rid of it. i want to get coilovers but im on a budget right now if u know what i mean.

 

there is a known issue with the STI struts doing that. You might want to check the top nut on the strut to make sure it's tight. that usually takes care of the problem.

 

I've been told that applying some lube to the affected shock's shaft will alleviate most of the clunking. Remove the wheel, allow for full droop, lift dust boot and apply lube. I also have an 04 STi and had the passenger rear shock replaced under warranty. As my warranty is now over, I'll probably try this fix if necessary. My friend's STi was clunking and he did the above mentioned fix and the clunking disappeared. I believe he used Mobil 1 bearing grease...Ed correct me if I am wrong. Oh BTW it is KYB that manufactures the inverted strut for the STi.

 

Yup. I got the strut clunk two weeks ago. My car has 15k miles and is riding on JDM pink springs, group-n top hats. I chased this noise for about 2 weeks and was tightening everything in the back - sway bar mounts, endlinks, etc.

I did some research and talked to Myles at Racecomp Engineering (www.racecomengineering.com) and he stated that KYB who makes the OEM inverted strut has made a poorly designed strut. I'm not an automotive parts expert, but from what I was told, over time (regardless of mileage or use), the strut essentially dries out and no longer moves through the range of motion smoothly. As a result, "stiction" occurs. This clunk is a sticky inverted strut shaft.

The cure is what Shiroikage detailed above. I used Mobil 1 synth bearing grease (the red stuff) and lubed the shaft and the lip under the dust boot. It went away immediately. Now the car rides much smoother and is very quiet.

I Solo my car so I change wheels once a month and doing this is no big deal. In fact I'm doing it again today. However, if you want a more permanent fix, you have to get different struts.

You have three choices if you want a fix.

Get the struts warrantied through the dealer, but you'll still get the same old crappy struts which will clunk again.

You could get a set of WRX struts off a 04 and cut them up so you reuse the strut bodies and then get the Koni yellow inserts for the WRX. This is a total custom job and requires some fabrication of the WRX strut. Also, your damper will no longer be monotube and inverted.

Lastly, you could get Ohlins fixed perches.

I just ordered Ohlins fixed perch struts which I hope get here next week. Ohlins are fixed perch struts with 25 adjustability clicks on their inverted struts. They are also completely rebuildable and Ohlins USA can do custom valving. They aren't cheap, but I hear they are the ultimate in STi dampers.

 

thanks guys. sounds like some bull****. i think im just gonna deal with the noise and just get some coilvers later. if i do that it should take away that noise. right

 

yes it should, mine had the same problem...grease is good, but i just used what i had at home....wd-40.... noise gone....

 

I guess that answers my question about 02-03 wrx.Thanx Rudy...

 

Well...the strut clunk fix survived a Solo event. It lasted a 5 run Solo today and got me in the winners circle in SM.

If the fix survives a Solo event with a wideopen 3rd course, it should survive daily driving.