pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

I have a 03 WRX Wagon with Swift springs and KYB Struts with stock top hats. I have noticed a ever increasing noise that seems to emminate from behind the dash or firewall about where the strut tops are.

When I am backing up or pulling in and out of slanted driveways at slow speeds with the steering wheel turned, I here a muted popping noise that I can feel through out the car (Steering wheel and pedals).

I have pulled things apart only to find the springs well seated and everything tight. The only thing that I can figure is the factory strut hats that have 100,000 miles on them....

Anyone else heard or felt anything like this?

Thanks for your help

Scott

nolan

iTrader: (14)

Have you looked into "sti strut clunk?"

Although these are not sti struts, you may have the same issue. On the other hand, sti strut clunk stems from inadequate grease from the factory. I don't believe KYB's have this issue.

How many miles on the struts themselves?

I believe the KYB struts are re-buildable.

That would probably solve the issue.

I have sti struts on my 02 wagon that I'm going to re-grease per this thread (bc I have the same type of clunk/pop as you are describing:

http://www.scoobymods.com/04-sti-rear-strut-t9972.html

blackOnblack

iTrader: (3)

I'm on KYB + Swifts too on my FXT. I have gotten the same clunk as of late (didn't really appear until after i put kartboy end links in the back though).

Some have said it could be the top hats, since "most go out about 80k miles", and i just rolled 116k. Some also say it could be the bushings on your rear sway bar. I'm getting a new f/r sway bar very soon, so I haven't gone the route of replacing mine yet (sti rear sway + stock bushings)

Can you shake your car? If i rock it back and forth at a stand still I can make it clunk. I've had a friend do it,a nd looked under neath the car... to have the sound come from the tophat area in the back.

pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the feed back...

Nolan- I used to have the Sti struts and this is not that clunk...
The KYB's are less then 6 months old...

BlackOnBlack- I think it is probably the top hats and maybe a little to do with the upper dog bone brace. I am looking at my opyions for new tophats now....

Thanks for the input and if you think of anything else I am all ears....

Scott

pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

Turned out to be bad top hats....$100.00 later all is good!