Clunking sensation in front suspension
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Clunking sensation in front suspension
I'm new to this list so I hope this hasn't been discussed in the recent past.
I have a 2000 Legacy GT Wagon.
While turning the steering wheel at near full lock, and while going over a small sharp lip or bump (such as my driveway curb), there is a distinct clunking sensation that gets transmitted through the steering wheel. It's as if something is loose in the suspension. My Subaru has exhibited this behavior since the day I bought it brand new. I've chatted with other Legacy owners, and some have experiences the same thing, while others have not.
Does anyone else out there have the same problem? If so, how was it fixed?
I've taken my Legacy three seperate times to the local Subaru dealer (Rusell Subaru in Baltimore, MD). Each time they've told me nothing is wrong. Each time I asked them if they were able to reproduce the problem so they new exactly what I was talking about. Each time they said no. So, finally I made a mechanic come with me in the car while I looked for a sharp little bump to reproduce the problem for him. Well, I finally found a little lip of a driveway in a neighborhood behind the dealership. I went over it, the clunk happened. The mechanic didn't feel it, so I made him drive and do it. He did it, said he felt it, but said he had already checked everthing, and nothing was wrong!!!!
Help!!!!!
Any instite would be appreciated.
-Joe
I have a 2000 Legacy GT Wagon.
While turning the steering wheel at near full lock, and while going over a small sharp lip or bump (such as my driveway curb), there is a distinct clunking sensation that gets transmitted through the steering wheel. It's as if something is loose in the suspension. My Subaru has exhibited this behavior since the day I bought it brand new. I've chatted with other Legacy owners, and some have experiences the same thing, while others have not.
Does anyone else out there have the same problem? If so, how was it fixed?
I've taken my Legacy three seperate times to the local Subaru dealer (Rusell Subaru in Baltimore, MD). Each time they've told me nothing is wrong. Each time I asked them if they were able to reproduce the problem so they new exactly what I was talking about. Each time they said no. So, finally I made a mechanic come with me in the car while I looked for a sharp little bump to reproduce the problem for him. Well, I finally found a little lip of a driveway in a neighborhood behind the dealership. I went over it, the clunk happened. The mechanic didn't feel it, so I made him drive and do it. He did it, said he felt it, but said he had already checked everthing, and nothing was wrong!!!!
Help!!!!!
Any instite would be appreciated.
-Joe
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Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 164
From: Seattle, WA
Car Info: '02 Legacy GT - no mods
I have an '02 Legacy GT and I've attributed it to the fact that it's a car with a relatively stiff suspension with cheap parts connecting everything so you feel/hear that clunk going over potholes, etc. I have a feeling that an older (96/97) A4 had a comparable suspension brand new but because it was an Audi, you didn't hear and feel the clunk.
Keep in mind I don't really have a lot of experience with what suspensions should act like, so I am just assuming that stiff suspensions are going to give you some jars and clunks, and since it's a relatively cheap Sube (compared to BMW, Audi) you're just more aware of it.
Keep in mind I don't really have a lot of experience with what suspensions should act like, so I am just assuming that stiff suspensions are going to give you some jars and clunks, and since it's a relatively cheap Sube (compared to BMW, Audi) you're just more aware of it.
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Below is the last post in that thread.
"had this done ! Just came across this Post Now...
Hey guys,
I've had this problem Fixed. The dealer here in Canada showed me the service bulletin which Subaru didn't offer as a recall but has acknowledged that this is a problem.
Subaru likens the problem to this.
When you turn on a tap and let the water run and turn it off quickly, you may hear the pipes in your house clunk. They use the same illustration but with the steering pump and fluid. The bumps tend to stop the pump or they send the power steering fluid in the opposite direction thus causing the clunk.
I honestly thought I was going mad when I heard my steering clunk. When I brought it to the dealer I could barely re-create it for the technician therefore it was deemed to be normal. Then I was at the dealership and so was one of SOC's district reps. He was willing to drive out to a gravel road and drive around in circles with me. He acknowledged the problem but decided to replace the rack !
Good call but very expensive. It was warrantied anyway.
Then the strut tops were done and a steering knuckle in the column itself closer to the wheel.
Still the same clunk.
Eventually a new service manager was hired who had heard of the problem and called Subaru Japan. They then sent him a steering joint which was only slightly different from the one in the car already. The difference was a small hard rubber like washer piece in the joint which absorbed the shock.
I'm happy to say that only the largest bumps can produce the noise now. It is virtually gone.
I'm not sure about the cost of the part itself...I seem to recall between 200 and 300 canadian Dollars ? The installation can be done from underneath the car by someone who is familiar with that area of the vehicle. A steering wheel alignment will have to be done to re-center the wheel.
I hope this helps.
Steve"
Also EZ Rider...did you just call subarus cheap?
I hope by "cheap" you mean they are priced less than audi BMW.
Bryan
"had this done ! Just came across this Post Now...
Hey guys,
I've had this problem Fixed. The dealer here in Canada showed me the service bulletin which Subaru didn't offer as a recall but has acknowledged that this is a problem.
Subaru likens the problem to this.
When you turn on a tap and let the water run and turn it off quickly, you may hear the pipes in your house clunk. They use the same illustration but with the steering pump and fluid. The bumps tend to stop the pump or they send the power steering fluid in the opposite direction thus causing the clunk.
I honestly thought I was going mad when I heard my steering clunk. When I brought it to the dealer I could barely re-create it for the technician therefore it was deemed to be normal. Then I was at the dealership and so was one of SOC's district reps. He was willing to drive out to a gravel road and drive around in circles with me. He acknowledged the problem but decided to replace the rack !
Good call but very expensive. It was warrantied anyway.
Then the strut tops were done and a steering knuckle in the column itself closer to the wheel.
Still the same clunk.
Eventually a new service manager was hired who had heard of the problem and called Subaru Japan. They then sent him a steering joint which was only slightly different from the one in the car already. The difference was a small hard rubber like washer piece in the joint which absorbed the shock.
I'm happy to say that only the largest bumps can produce the noise now. It is virtually gone.
I'm not sure about the cost of the part itself...I seem to recall between 200 and 300 canadian Dollars ? The installation can be done from underneath the car by someone who is familiar with that area of the vehicle. A steering wheel alignment will have to be done to re-center the wheel.
I hope this helps.
Steve"
Also EZ Rider...did you just call subarus cheap?
I hope by "cheap" you mean they are priced less than audi BMW.
Bryan
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 164
From: Seattle, WA
Car Info: '02 Legacy GT - no mods
Yeah, that's what I was going for, that compared to a BMW or Audi, the suspension bushings and steering connectors are a little lower quality.
Also, I should correct myself and say that you'll still feel the potholes in a Beamer or Audi, it just won't sound like the strut is about to fire itself through the hood.
By the way, I love my GT's suspension. Sure, it could be better, but I drove a Buick Regal this weekend and it felt like I was in a boat on big ocean waves. I could hardly feel the road or what the steering was doing. Buicks may be an extreme example, but still, I like the sometimes clunky ride I get in my car. I can only imagine what driving an M3 is like.
Also, I should correct myself and say that you'll still feel the potholes in a Beamer or Audi, it just won't sound like the strut is about to fire itself through the hood.
By the way, I love my GT's suspension. Sure, it could be better, but I drove a Buick Regal this weekend and it felt like I was in a boat on big ocean waves. I could hardly feel the road or what the steering was doing. Buicks may be an extreme example, but still, I like the sometimes clunky ride I get in my car. I can only imagine what driving an M3 is like.
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thanks for the help. I knew I couldn't be the only one out there with this problem, and it's good to hear that Subaru has at least acknowledged it.
I'm making an appointment to get it fixed this week here in Baltimore, MD. I'll chime back in with details of the fix.
-Joe
I'm making an appointment to get it fixed this week here in Baltimore, MD. I'll chime back in with details of the fix.
-Joe
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Hey Guys/Gals,
I had this problem on my 98GT Wgn from day 1. I trouble shot it to be the U-joint just past the firewall into the engine compartment. I took it to the dealership 4 times...in 98, 99, 99 end, and 2000...then gave up. It was checked out by everyone and the Subaru regional manager in 99. All acknowledged the problem and reported my complaint, but said the component was in spec. and many new subaru's do it already. They proved it by taking me on the top of the line new outback ltd on a dirt road and reporduced it. Just take your cars on gravel and the clucking sound will be more exagerated...its a horrible cheap lose feeling.
Finally I gave up...modified my car with eibach and agx struts. Just 3 months ago, I came across the TSB describing this issue on the net. Dealer would fix it but had to charge me coz I was out of warranty. But I asked them to check their records and they found I brought it in 4 times under warranty. So they were kind enough to fix it...and now it is so nice. I dont need to explain my tight riding car making clunking noises whenever taking a turn on an irregular surface.
The new u-joint has a bushing/washer that takes the impact.
All you guys that have this problem, and still have your 3/36 warranty....go get it fixed for free. Others, if you have complained about it before and the dealer has documented the issue, you should be covered too.
Good luck.....
GT_MAN
98GT Wgn, Eibach, AXG, Custo, 18mm rear stb bar, k&N, + more
I had this problem on my 98GT Wgn from day 1. I trouble shot it to be the U-joint just past the firewall into the engine compartment. I took it to the dealership 4 times...in 98, 99, 99 end, and 2000...then gave up. It was checked out by everyone and the Subaru regional manager in 99. All acknowledged the problem and reported my complaint, but said the component was in spec. and many new subaru's do it already. They proved it by taking me on the top of the line new outback ltd on a dirt road and reporduced it. Just take your cars on gravel and the clucking sound will be more exagerated...its a horrible cheap lose feeling.
Finally I gave up...modified my car with eibach and agx struts. Just 3 months ago, I came across the TSB describing this issue on the net. Dealer would fix it but had to charge me coz I was out of warranty. But I asked them to check their records and they found I brought it in 4 times under warranty. So they were kind enough to fix it...and now it is so nice. I dont need to explain my tight riding car making clunking noises whenever taking a turn on an irregular surface.
The new u-joint has a bushing/washer that takes the impact.
All you guys that have this problem, and still have your 3/36 warranty....go get it fixed for free. Others, if you have complained about it before and the dealer has documented the issue, you should be covered too.
Good luck.....
GT_MAN
98GT Wgn, Eibach, AXG, Custo, 18mm rear stb bar, k&N, + more
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