Knocking on full lock and how it's been handled

[bennygsr]

Hi,

After a long hiatus, I'm back on the site - sadly with a small problem on my 08, 49,000k 3.0 SpecB Wagon

Oct 11, I had my last service before warranty. Having mentioned a knocking coming from the front end on full lock then, and the service before 1 year earlier, the power steering pump was replaced (for a second time). It seemed to settle down, but some 4-5 months later, it was noticed again. My next service shortly before 2012 Christmas, and I mentioned the knocking again.

New front end bushes, and new power steering fluid (apparently it was a bit burnt!) seemed good from the start, but on the way home from 1400km round trip towing a jetski - the problem returns only much more severely. It was signifcantly more noticable when the car was "warm" and towing, and once again on full lock - in either direction. A loud clonking.

So, off to the dealer again some 2 weeks after the service, for a check, booked in and the problem this time was that one of the "rear" struts is "bent". We paid for some labour on the day (which in hindsight we shouldn't have, given all they did should have been done 2 weeks earlier at the service) but besides that, they have offered to replace the "damaged" strut (not the pair even!!!) , but we still have to pay for labour. So: one strut free, the other at $450(!!) and $210 labour, for what may not be the issue.

The thing is, from my searches, I'm not convinced it's the solution? Can a rear strut, when loaded lead to a knocking that you can feel through the steering? People on here seem to think these sort of problems could be a front diff ?
The issue I have, is that I've been noting this at the dealer for a fair while and will argue that they should be sorting this? It's just a pain in the arse - back and forth. To their credit the front end staff have been helpful, but it seems my wife and I are copping a bit of their BS.

Firstly: If I have to replace the rear struts at that price, am I better off just replacing all 4 elsewhere?
Secondly: Could it be a front diff and how do I make them check it - you need to open it to know right?

Any help would be appreciated before I call the dealer. THanks in advance

[zch91]

Rear struts causing knocking on full lock? They are having you on mate.

I'd check out front/centre diff and CV's if I were you.

You can get a full set (4) of BRAND NEW bilstein suspension (Exactly the same as you have now) for $550 from Wheelpower in Sydney.

[dawesy]

Have you got all 4 tyres the same ? And roughly same wear ?
When warm does it rock back and forth a bit when you've come to a stop ?
Have you hit anything hard with the front wheels?

Rear struts won't make a knrock in the front
Could be centre diff although the post facelift ones are ment to be alot better could be front diff could be cv shafts .

Very hard to diagnosis with out seeing the car

[Boostaddict]

Absolute bullish!it.

Was it a Subaru dealership??? Or a multi dealership ??

My advice, cause I've done this quite a few times to Subaru.

Ring head office. Speak to customer service and explain to them nicely that you have been documenting an issue with the vehicle over numerous services under warranty and it has not been fixed.

Say that you are complete baffled as to why SUBARU can't figure out what THEIR car is doing. Also explain to them that they now owe you the money back for the other rear strut as this has been an issue since ..blah... Time whilst under warrenty. Also that you want this issue fixed regardless that its out of warranty as it has been an issue for such a long time that you are worried that there's a safety issue now and you carry your family in the car and due to their negligence they are now endangering your family..... Trust me it will get something happening.!!

If you get nowhere with the customer service pleb ask for the manager and say that the entire phone call is being documented and or recorded as you have a SAFETY issue with one of their vehicles under warranty and repeat the story above.

Subaru are huge on their awd safety speel and won't want that sorta talk going on.

Hope this helps

[bennygsr]

All 4 tyres were the same from the when we got the car at 200kms old. And we've only just replaced them with 4 new ones.

One of them, and I don't know which - was much more worn from what I can gather on the inside by a fair stretch -. My wife took the car to get tyres replaced, and not sure if says on the receipt - I can't find it.

I didn't think it was the rear strut, but thought I'd check here first.

Thanks Boost addict, THat sounds like a good plan - we'll get onto it.